by Brianna Crandall — September 30, 2015—The Alliance to Save Energy presented its 2015 Star of Energy Efficiency awards at a recent gala dinner in Washington, DC, reflecting a revamped slate of award categories, including the addition of a new award recognizing young professionals and students for their early-career accomplishments in advancing energy efficiency.
This year’s award recipients are:
- Built Environment: Cinemark Theatres was recognized for its environmental sustainability program, Cinemark Reel Green. In the past year, Cinemark’s efforts have saved 41,570,375 kWh and $4.4 million through facility energy efficiency upgrades.
- Innovative Star: Danfoss was honored for transforming the commercial HVAC market with innovative, oil-free variable speed compressors called Turbocor Compressors. The technology provides up to 35 percent energy savings annually compared to an equivalent fixed speed screw chiller.
- Industry & Manufacturing: L’Oreal USA was honored for achieving 57 percent CO2 reduction and 40 percent water reduction in operations as part of L’Oreal’s global sustainability strategy, Sharing Beauty With All. L’Oreal USA has developed the widespread use of renewable energy in its plants and distribution centers, while instituting energy efficient strategies to reduce energy consumption in all facilities, including implementing LED lighting, motion activated lights and high-efficiency industrial machines, as well as employing water optimization plans.
- Power Generation & Supply: Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) was recognized for two of its energy efficiency programs. The PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program and the Residential Multifamily Housing Program provide upfront funding for efficiency upgrades in facilities where the initial cost of a retrofit is often prohibitive.
- Rising Star of Energy Efficiency: Student: Aurora Winslade received the award for her accomplishments as an undergrad and MBA student and for her work as the Transformational Program Manager at Hawaii Energy, the electric utility rate-payer funded conservation and efficiency program for Hawaii, Honolulu and Maui counties.
- Rising Star of Energy Efficiency: Young Professional: Daniel Hill won the award as co-founder and president of Green Impact Campaign (GIC), is a nonprofit that provides university students across the country with cloud-based tools and training to conduct free energy efficiency assessments for small businesses in their community.
- Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service: Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, former CEO of Sustainable Energy for All
- Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s Chairman’s Award: IBM Corporation
Alliance President Kateri Callahan lauded the 2015 winners, “This year’s Star of Energy Efficiency award recipients show just how feasible and beneficial it is to achieve greater energy efficiency across a wide range of sectors, and demonstrate that endless resources aren’t a requirement to make a difference. The award winners, which were selected from a large and competitive field of nominations, are testaments to the fact that vision and leadership — coupled with perseverance, innovation and action — are the keys to creating a more energy-efficient world.”
