AEE Recognizes Excellence in Energy with 2026 International Awards

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) proudly announces the winners of its prestigious 2026 International Awards, honoring outstanding contributions in the field of energy. These awards celebrate individuals, organizations, agencies, and corporations who are leading the way in innovation and excellence.

The 2026 International Awards will be presented on Wednesday, September 16th at the International Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the AEE World Energy Conference & Expo, held in Orlando, FL.

Congratulations to the individuals, projects, and companies on their remarkable achievements and dedication to advancing energy efficiency and sustainability.

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Young Energy Professional of the Year

Husam Almanasir

Husam Almanasir is a sustainability and energy professional working at the Royal Scientific Society in Jordan, where he contributes to national initiatives focused on energy efficiency, resource optimization, and environmental sustainability. Through his work with the National Energy Research Center (NERC), he supports the improvement of energy performance across industrial and commercial systems and contributes to the development of practical, sustainable energy solutions.

He also serves as an SDG7 Ambassador with the International Renewable Energy Agency in Jordan, promoting clean and affordable energy and supporting the transition toward more sustainable energy systems. His work focuses on industrial energy efficiency, cleaner production, renewable energy integration, and sustainable development initiatives that support both environmental and economic progress.

In 2025, through his involvement in national and international projects, Husam contributed to energy audits, resource-efficiency assessments, and technical training programs that achieved measurable energy savings and emissions reductions. He also trained more than 300 professionals across Jordan through workshops, awareness campaigns, and technical capacity-building activities. Passionate about innovation and knowledge sharing, Husam is committed to empowering communities and young professionals through practical solutions that support Jordan’s long-term environmental and energy goals.

Young Energy Professional of the Year

Elton Dale Cranford

 Elton “Dale” Cranford, PE, CEM, is an Energy Engineering Business Development Representative with Fidelity Energy & Sustainability. His role involves serving new and existing Fidelity Building Services Group customers to identify opportunities, quantify savings, develop projects, and verify results that reduce energy consumption and operational costs while advancing sustainability goals. 

Dale is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of North Carolina, a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) through the Association of Energy Engineers, and he was the 2019 Region II Young Energy Professional of the Year for outstanding contributions to the energy profession. Dale was inducted as an AEE Fellow in 2022 and has served AEE as the current US Representative for the Awards Program, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic (Region II) Regional Vice President, Chapter President, Chapter Vice-President, and Chapter Secretary.

 Dale obtained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University in 2012 and 2013, respectively, and he also served as a research assistant with the Industrial Assessment Center during his tenure at NC State. When not working, Dale enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, daughters Laura and Cecily, fishing, watching and attending sporting events, and cooking outside with his smoker.

Young Energy Professional of the Year

Kiersten Washle

Kiersten Washle is a Sustainability Operations Manager at JLL, where she leads large-scale energy and sustainability initiatives across a 40 million-square-foot portfolio. With more than eight years of experience at the intersection of engineering and sustainability, she has contributed to the design of net zero schools, one of the first net zero healthcare facilities, and numerous deep energy retrofit projects.

Kiersten holds a BS in Systems Engineering, an MS in Engineering Management with a focus on Energy and the Environment, and an MBA. She also holds several industry-recognized certifications in energy management, sustainability, and asset performance, including Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Reliability Leader (CRL). Her sustainability credentials include LEED Green Associate, Living Future Accreditation (LFA), EcoDistricts Accredited Professional, ActiveScore AP, and TRUE Zero Waste Advisor.

Beyond her professional work, Kiersten is a dedicated advocate for climate action and workforce development. She co-hosts a podcast focused on careers in sustainability, mentors emerging professionals, and regularly speaks at conferences and universities, sharing her expertise and passion for creating a more sustainable future.

Energy Engineer of the Year

Gregg Fischer, PE, CEM, CEA, Founder & CEO

Gregg Fischer is an accomplished operations and engineering executive providing energy management strategy, project deployment, and advisory services across all vertical markets and business sectors. He has a track record of implementing over $1B of complex infrastructure improvements for buildings, securing record-setting incentives, and enabling efficient operations for building owners. He has helmed projects as diverse as turnkey thermal ice storage systems, heat recovery & electrification, central plant optimization, and advanced building automation. Mr. Fischer is a trusted advisor to the public and private sectors while supporting cleantech companies in strategic planning and business development.

Gregg has worked with many real estate owners, investors, vendors, contractors, and  operators throughout his career to support advancements in building technologies, optimization, infrastructure renewal, and resiliency. His extensive work experience spans over 15 years with TMBA, The Trane Company, and Tishman Speyer, and, for the past 6 years, as the Founder and CEO of Fischer Energy Partners. Gregg brings his diversity of experience and successful project deployment skills to every engagement, large or small.

Gregg is an AEE Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), and a New York State-licensed Professional Engineer (PE). He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Boston University and a Master’s in Global Operations Management from SUNY Stony Brook.

Energy Innovator of the Year

Jagan Pillai

Jagan Pillai is the Global Energy Transition Lead at Amazon, bringing nearly two decades of expertise at the intersection of mechanical engineering and large-scale decarbonization. He is redefining how “speed-to-power” and energy efficiency scale across global industrial infrastructure, addressing one of the most critical bottlenecks in today’s energy transition: the gap between engineering innovation and deployment at scale.

Jagan has been a pioneer in applying AI and automation to energy engineering, developing platforms that compress months of manual analysis into days, eliminate the systematic oversizing that inflates costs and carbon across facility portfolios, and enable climate-intelligent HVAC selection across thousands of sites simultaneously. He also leads emerging HVAC technology evaluation and strategic partnerships at Amazon, serving as the primary technical bridge between next-generation clean energy startups and one of the world’s largest industrial deployment platforms.

Before Amazon, Jagan led the U.S. Energy and Carbon practice at Atelier Ten, a global engineering and sustainability consultancy, where he advanced the frontier of high-performance building design, pioneering all-electric laboratory systems, passive conditioning strategies that eliminate mechanical cooling entirely, and net-zero frameworks institutionalized across entire university systems and public sector portfolios.

A published researcher, Licensed Professional Engineer, Certified Energy Manager, and recognized industry voice, Jagan brings fluency across the full spectrum, from thermodynamic first principles to AI-driven automation, from individual building performance to portfolio-wide decarbonization strategy. Recipient of the 2025 ACEEE Champions of Energy Efficiency in Industry Award, his work is defined by a singular focus: turning engineering innovation into deployable, scalable climate solutions for the world’s most complex organizations.

Energy Manager of the Year

Andre Nortje

Andre Nortje is an accomplished energy professional and recipient of the AEE Energy Manager of the Year Award, recognized for his leadership and significant contributions to energy efficiency and sustainability within the healthcare sector.

As part of Netcare Hospitals, Andre has played a key role in advancing energy optimization initiatives across complex clinical environments, successfully balancing operational reliability, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility. His efforts have resulted in measurable reductions in energy consumption, enhanced system performance, and the implementation of innovative energy management strategies throughout hospital infrastructure.

Andre is a professionally registered engineer, a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), and holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is passionate about advancing sustainable practices in energy-intensive industries and is committed to delivering practical, data-driven solutions that support organizational performance while contributing to broader environmental goals.

Energy Professional Development of the Year

Alain Aoun

Alain Aoun is a multidisciplinary expert and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in construction, energy, and digital transformation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, a diploma in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, multiple master’s degrees in Industrial Computing, Electrical Engineering, and Renewable Energies, as well as a Ph.D. in Engineering. Throughout his career, Alain has led and delivered large-scale projects across the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Africa, building a strong reputation for innovation and leadership in advanced technologies and sustainability.

A visionary leader, Alain is the founder and director of several companies, including two startups focused on integrating emerging technologies within the construction, energy, hydrogen, and digital sectors. He currently serves as Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO) of META WATT, a company specializing in advanced technology integration for the energy and industrial industries. He is also a partner at ENEO CT, an official AEE Training Partner, and an affiliated researcher at CNIMI – UQTR, a leading center for smart industrial solutions.

Alain combines strong technical expertise with strategic business insight to deliver innovative and impactful solutions. He is an active member of several international boards and committees, including the Association of Energy Engineers and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, contributing to the development of global energy and sustainability strategies. In addition, he holds 11 AEE certifications and serves as a certified trainer with the Association of Energy Engineers, supporting professionals and organizations in improving energy performance and driving sustainable transformation.

Passionate about personal development and knowledge sharing, Alain is also a speaker, public orator, and career coach dedicated to mentoring young professionals. A prolific writer, he has authored several books and scientific publications focused on smart grids, blockchain, and digital transformation. Recognized for his leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence, Alain continues to play a key role in advancing technology, sustainability, and the global energy transition while inspiring the next generation of industry leaders.

Corporate Energy Management of the Year

Bell Canada – Real Estate Services

Bell Canada is Canada’s largest telecommunications company and a leading provider of communications and media services. Serving millions of customers nationwide, Bell delivers wireless, internet, television, and business connectivity services across urban, rural, and remote communities. Its extensive infrastructure includes a vast network of central offices, data centers, wireless systems, and fiber connections that support critical communications throughout the country.

For more than a century, Bell has played a central role in building and advancing Canada’s communications landscape. The company continues to invest in network expansion, technological innovation, and digital infrastructure to meet the growing needs of individuals, businesses, and public services.

Through its scale, reach, and ongoing investment in modern connectivity, Bell remains a foundational part of Canada’s economy and daily life, helping keep people, communities, and organizations connected from coast to coast.

Institutional Energy Management of the Year

Northwell Health

Northwell Health is the largest private employer and healthcare provider in New York State, serving over three million people annually.  It is a nonprofit integrated health system with 28 hospitals, 900 outpatient facilities, 14,500+ providers, and over 104,000 employees, focusing on comprehensive clinical care, education, and medical research.

The Northwell Health Office of Engineering Energy Team is led by Charles Cutchall, VP, Infrastructure & Chief Engineering Officer.  The team includes Michael J. Rohan, Principal; Haneef Khan, Senior Advisor; Michael V. Gentile, Senior Advisor; Abdul Khail, Lead Analyst; Michael Abdallah, Senior Analyst; Marie Mendes, Marie Environmental, LLC; & Saverio Grosso, Opt-In Consultants.

Northwell Health has developed an enterprise-wide energy program that delivers measurable savings, operational resiliency, and long-term sustainability, deployed through a set of strategies that reinforce its core pillars of deep decarbonization.  These include expanded education and training, enhanced energy conservation and operational improvements, thermal reengineering, the adoption of nascent and innovative technologies, and the pursuit of sustainable energy procurement.

The energy and sustainability metrics from 2020-to-date are as follows:

• Energy Initiative Savings: $40.7M
• Rebates & Incentives: $8.0M
• Procurement Value Stream: $16.0M
• Expenses: $23.1M
• GHG Reduction: 32.4% from 2009 baseline (122,041 metric tons of CO2e)

Innovative Energy Project of the Year

Territory-Wide Chiller Retrofit Program for HK Public Hospitals

The Territory-Wide Chiller Retrofit Program for HK Public Hospitals, jointly led by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the Hospital Authority (HA), represents a landmark initiative in energy efficiency and a significant step towards Hong Kong’s carbon neutrality targets.

Covering 24 building blocks across 16 public hospitals, the program successfully replaced 62 chillers within approximately four years, all while ensuring uninterrupted hospital operations and safeguarding patient safety.

The project achieved a verified 38% reduction in energy consumption, delivering annual saving over 35 million kWh and an average payback period of around four years.

A key highlight is EMSD’s self-developed “all-in-one” retrofit approach, piloted at one of the sites. This innovative solution integrates low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, Multi-trade Integrated MEP (MiMEP) construction methodology, BIM-Asset Management based on open-BIM standards, and the AI-driven chiller optimization system, ChillStream® proven to deliver up to an additional 7% in energy savings.

This pioneering program sets a benchmark for low-carbon transformation in healthcare facilities, demonstrating excellence in innovation, cross-sector collaboration, sustainability and a people-centric engineering approach.

Energy Project of the Year- US

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Super Campus Steam to Hot Water Conversion

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) completed a major heating infrastructure transformation across its 2.49 million-square-foot Super Campus on the Upper East Side of New York City. Spanning nine interconnected buildings, the project was designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resiliency, and support future decarbonization efforts.

In partnership with World Energy Innovations (WEI), MSK transitioned the campus from an aging district steam system to a high-efficiency hot water hydronic system. Following a feasibility study completed in 2017, construction began in 2019 and was completed in 2022 under a design-build approach. The project included the installation of two modular boiler plants, twenty-one condensing hot water boilers, six combined heat and power (CHP) units, more than 30,000 feet of new hot water piping, and upgraded heat exchangers, pumps, controls, and humidification systems.

The upgraded system delivered significant operational and environmental benefits, including improved temperature control, reduced maintenance requirements, water savings, and lower operating temperatures. In 2025, MSK reduced annual energy usage by 32,227 MMBtu and achieved a 19% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2020 levels. The project also generated more than $33 million in cumulative savings to date. The CHP system operates at approximately 75% overall efficiency, outperforming the regional electric grid while providing localized grid support.

Energy Project of the Year-  International

CLP x MTR – Decarbonizing Railway Transportation

MTR Corporation operates all Hong Kong’s railway lines, serving 1.9 billion passengers annually, while CLP Power supplies electricity to over 80% of the population in Hong Kong. United by a strong commitment to sustainability, their partnership includes large-scale energy-saving initiatives, advanced measures like regenerative braking, and renewable energy integration. These efforts achieved 59 GWh in annual energy savings—equivalent to the consumption of 14,050 households – and reduce 22,423 tons of CO₂e emissions. This collaboration between two essential public utilities shows how strategic synergy can drive significant environmental benefits and inspire industries across Hong Kong and beyond.

The project was jointly led by Professor Anthony Lo, Director of Customer Success and Sales at CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, and Mr. H.K. Chan, Chief of Operations Engineering Service & Innovation at MTR Corporation. Professor Lo brings extensive expertise in building services engineering, green building design, and energy management. He plays a key role in shaping energy management strategies, exploring innovative technologies, and driving the implementation of energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and renewable energy initiatives. Mr. Chan has over 30 years of experience in the railway industry and leads a multi‑disciplinary team responsible for train fleets, signaling, power, control, communications, environmental, civil, and building systems. His team focuses on system performance, customer needs, capacity optimization, and life‑cycle cost management, while fostering innovation through the Operations Innovation Hubs.

Distinguished Service

Kaushik Bhattacharjee, CEM, CMVP,  CBCP

Kaushik Bhattacharjee is the President of Reipower Inc., a Canadian firm providing energy management, energy efficiency, sustainability, and AI-enhanced energy optimization services to commercial and industrial clients. He holds a Master of Science in Energy Management from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), USA, and brings more than 20 years of international experience in energy management, conservation, and demand-side management. He also Worked at major Canadian Utilities on Conservation and Demand Management Programs 

A Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP),  and Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP), Kaushik has led numerous energy audits, commissioning projects, implementation initiatives, and measurement and verification programs across commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and data centers. His work has consistently helped organizations identify opportunities, optimize operations, and achieve significant energy and cost savings. 

Kaushik is recognized as an expert resource in RETScreen Expert, a Clean Energy Management software developed by Natural Resource Canada. His expertise in energy performance assessment, financial analysis and measurement and verification (M&V), using RETScreen Expert has helped organizations make informed investment decisions, optimize project performance, and maximize energy savings.” 

His professional achievements have been widely recognized. He received Honorable Mention awards for “Most Savings by a Roving Energy Manager” and “Most In-Service Savings by a Roving Energy Manager” at the Energy Managers of Ontario Excellence Awards. He was also named Energy Engineer of the Year – Canada Region by the Association of Energy Engineers. More recently, Reipower’s AI-driven energy management initiatives received international recognition as an AEE International Innovative Project Award Runner-Up, demonstrating the successful application of artificial intelligence to energy efficiency and building performance optimization. 

Kaushik is an accomplished author, speaker, and thought leader. He authored Industrial Energy Management Strategies: Creating a Culture of Continuous Energy Improvement published by River Publisher and co-authored two additional books on energy management. He has contributed articles to numerous industry journals and has presented at IEEE international conferences, AEE World , AEE events, and other leading industry forums on energy management, energy efficiency, digital transformation, and the emerging role of AI in the energy transition. 

About the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)

The Association of Energy Engineers is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional society with over 17,000 members in more than 125 countries. AEE offers a variety of informational outreach programs including training, conferences, chapters, journals, and certification programs. The mission of AEE is to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for sustainable development.