PacifiCorp, EnergyHub and Larry Bekkedahl are recognized for their industry-defining contributions to modernizing the electric grid.
June 27, 2024 –Grid Forward announced the winners of the 2024 Grid Innovator Awards during its Annual Member Meeting on June 27, 2024. Pacificorp, EnergyHub and Larry Bekkedahl received recognition for their roles in helping to lead the electric utility industry forward in grid modernization across the western U.S.
“Grid Forward is honored to work closely with industry leaders and stakeholders to progress grid modernization and energy innovation,” said Bryce Yonker, Grid Forward CEO and executive director. “While so many people and organizations contribute to the effort, our Grid Innovation Award winners have regularly demonstrated the way forward for rebuilding a grid that can deliver resilient, equitable and clean energy.”
Grid Innovator Award Winner, Utility: Pacificorp
PacifiCorp, the largest grid operator in the western United States, serves the energy needs of 2.1 million customers. The selection panel recognized the company for leading the charge on regional market steps. PacifiCorp has also been at the forefront of various advanced solution deployments such as energy storage, demand-side resources and EV integration. PacifiCorp has also been able to successfully and effectively leverage significant federal funds to advance the grid.
“It is a tremendous honor to receive the 2024 Grid Innovator Award by Grid Forward,” said Mike Wilding, vice president of energy supply management for PacifiCorp. “We are proud to be recognized as a leader in grid innovation and continue to lead the way on regional markets and advanced energy solutions including storage, demand-side resources, and electric vehicle integration. We are committed to continuing to advance the grid and effectively serve our customers.”
The other finalists for the Utility category were Avista, Fortis Inc. and London Hydro.
Grid Innovator Award Winner, Industry: EnergyHub
EnergyHub enables utilities to harness millions of distributed energy resources (DERs) to meet the grid needs of a cleaner, more reliable power system. The selection panel recognized EnergyHub for reaching a major milestone with one million DERs under management. With their work, they are proving that flexible resources can operate at scale in a number of types of environments. They have also led the way to deeper integration with various types of energy resources.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for our work advancing grid technology,” said Seth Frader-Thompson, co-founder and President of EnergyHub. “This is the moment for flexibility to fulfill its promise. EnergyHub’s 70+ utility clients are leading the effort to make virtual power plants central to a reliable, affordable, decarbonized energy future.”
The other finalists for the Industry category were LineVision, Sentient and WeaveGrid.
Grid Innovator Award Winner, Individual: Larry Bekkedahl
Grid Forward is especially happy to see Larry Bekkadahl selected as the Individual Award Winner, because he has consistently helped this organization, as well as the region, move forward with new ideas and approaches to grid modernization. At Portland General Electric (PGE), Larry oversees PGE’s strategic system architecture and system upgrades, as well as its Utility Operations and Operations Services divisions. He has more than three decades of leadership experience in the energy industry. Before joining PGE, he was senior vice president for transmission services at the Bonneville Power Administration and held leadership positions at Clark Public Utilities, PacifiCorp and Montana Power Company.
“I am humbled and honored to be recognized by my peers at Grid Forward,” said Larry. “It has been a journey these past five to 10 years: first working toward cleaner energy and combating climate extremes, followed by the electrification of everything. Now we’re taking another step to meet large new loads – chip manufacturing, data centers, and new clean-tech manufacturers – that we have not experienced since the aluminum industry came to the northwest. We are all grateful for Federal legislation that is injecting much needed funds into our industry at this critical time. But there is more work to do. And as always this industry sticks together and creates the changes that are needed. Thank you Grid Forward for being the conduit and glue to help us all be successful.”
The other finalists for the Individual category were Senator Maria Cantwell and Chief of Staff Amit Ronen, Mark Gabriel of United Power, Amy Grice of PenLight, and David Logsdon of Seattle City Light.
About the Grid Innovator Awards
Grid Forward hosts the Grid Innovator Awards each year as part of its annual member meeting. The awards recognize outstanding dedication and leadership in progressing electric grid modernization and innovation across the western U.S. and Canada. This year’s finalists and winners were chosen by an expert panel of Grid Forward partners, advisors and board members.
About Grid Forward
Grid Forward is a 501(c)(6) non-profit, member-driven trade association dedicated to promoting and accelerating innovation on the regional electric system. We deliver community, expertise and resources for leaders who are working to modernize the grid across the western U.S. and Canada. Find more information at gridforward.org.
Media contact: David Smith, marketing director, Grid Forward
