Peak Load Management Alliance Accepting Nominations for 12th Awards Program

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 15, 2015) - PLMA (Peak Load Management Alliance) is now accepting nominations of the best demand response programs, initiatives and achievements from calendar year 2014 for its 12th Annual PLMA Award Program. Deadline for submittals is March 2, 2015. The awards will be presented at the 16th PLMA Spring Conference set for April 28-29, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. Details are at www.peakload.org/?page=Awardnom12th.

Nominations are being sought for the following award categories:

• Program Pacesetter: Recognizes outstanding programs that effectively support and deliver peak load management. 
• Technology Pioneer: Recognizes innovative applications of technology with demonstrated potential to scale. 
• Thought Leader: Recognizes the impact projects, outreach campaigns and individual contributions that have the potential to shape the industry's future. 

One or more awards may be presented in each category with sub-categories for Utilities, Regulators, Independent Systems Operator, Regional Transmission Authority, Aggregator, Marketer, Consumer, Solutions Provider, Manufacturer, Individual, Organization or Project. PLMA members and non-members alike are encouraged to submit nominations.

PLMA Awards Committee Co-Chair, Brian Solsbee, P.E. of Tennessee Valley Authority, remarked, "Peak load management challenges continue to drive innovation through the energy utility industry. For example, due to a recent cold front moving through the TVA service area, peak demand of 12.3 megawatts on January 4^th jumped to 32.7 megawatts by January 8^th. The 20.4 megawatt increase represented the largest five-day peak demand swing in TVA history, previous high swings were in the 16.5 megawatt range." Solsbee went on to say, "New programs, technologies and solutions are needed to effectively manage this type of volatility. The PLMA Awards program showcases solutions that have potential to make major contributions to a smarter, more reliable grid." 

"Demand response has grown from simply reducing peak loads to balancing supply and demand while increasing the efficiency and reliability of a smarter grid. The PLMA Awards Program recognizes those energy industry leaders who create innovative methods to meet peak load needs, mitigate price risks and manage variable generation," noted PLMA Awards Co-Chair Raymond Pustinger of AESC.

Over the past 11 years, PLMA has presented over 50 awards to recipients that have included utilities, curtailment providers, end-users, and individuals responsible for demand response efforts targeted to the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customer markets. The 11th Annual PLMA Awards Winners recognized were: Duke Energy, Kilroy Realty, Navigant Research, New Brunswick Power, NV Energy, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

About PLMA. PLMA (Peak Load Management Alliance) is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 as the Voice of Demand Response Practitioners. It is a community of experts dedicated to sharing knowledge and resources to advance the demand response marketplace. PLMA's over 75 member organizations represent a broad range of energy professionals. Learn more at www.peakload.org.