AEE Recognizes Excellence in Energy with 2025 International Awards

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) proudly announces the winners of its prestigious 2025 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 2025 International Awards will be presented on Wednesday, September 17th at the International Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the AEE World Energy Conference & Expo, held in Atlanta, GA. 

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

Kristie Teoh 

Kristie Teoh, PE, CEM, has been a dedicated professional in the energy industry since 2019, following her graduation from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently a Senior Energy Engineer at Ameresco and is pursuing her MBA at Georgia Tech, focusing on sustainability and management.  

In addition to her professional roles, Kristie volunteers as the Regional VP for the Mid-Atlantic & Southeast US and the US Scholarships Chair for AEE, as well as the Scholarship and Awards Chair on the CWEEL Board. She also serves as the ASHRAE Atlanta Chapter President. Kristie’s extensive and impactful contributions demonstrate why she is highly deserving of the Young Energy Engineer of the Year award.  

She is a committed mentor to aspiring professionals, leads by example, and passionately advocates for increasing female participation in STEM fields. With a proven track record of leadership, Kristie exemplifies the qualities of a future industry leader and is truly deserving of this prestigious recognition. 

Young Energy Professional

Lana Othman Draz 

Lana Draz, CEM, CEA, CLEP, CSPV, is a trailblazer in energy engineering with four years of experience and a strong record of impact across renewable energy, workforce development, and international collaboration. She currently serves as a Partnerships Development Specialist at Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) in Jordan and is also a solar design engineer with a focus on workforce development and clean energy innovation.  

Lana holds a degree in Electrical Power Engineering and has designed over 70 MW of solar PV systems across Jordan, the GCC, and the U.S., contributing to significant CO₂ reductions and the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure. Her early career began in solar design, including designing and installing PV systems. At HTU, Lana leads a workforce development initiative that connects youth—especially refugees and underrepresented groups—to careers in the energy sector. Through the Upskilling Refugees in the Energy Sector program, funded by the Abdulaziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, she has facilitated 130+ job placements by integrating technical training, mentorship, and employer engagement. An active mentor and advocate, Lana has led more than 14 training workshops in collaboration with AEE student chapters, USAID, Taqa Space, the IEEE PPU PES Chapter, and CWEEL, and has placed 110+ trainees into energy roles. She has also delivered technical talks at events such as the AEE World Conference, Al Hussein Technical University, and the German Energy Academy in Jordan.  

Lana also volunteers with climate-focused initiatives such as the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY), the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY), and the MENA Global Affairs Committee, where she was among Jordan’s first 10 participants. Her leadership and advocacy are helping shape a more sustainable and inclusive future for the global energy sector. 

Young Energy Professional

Madeline Zdeblick 

Madeline Zdeblick, the Manager of Product Analytics at NineDot Energy, has been a key leader in advancing New York City’s battery energy storage system policies, particularly in relation to environmental benefits and emissions reductions. As a skilled research and data analyst focused on building a greener electric grid, Maddie has led NineDot’s efforts to evaluate the NYC Department of Buildings’ Time-Of-Use (TOU) carbon accounting methodology in alignment with Local Law 97, New York’s landmark building emissions legislation. Her quick mastery of this complex methodology enabled NineDot to develop innovative products that support both energy storage solutions and NYC building compliance. Maddie crafted strategies to optimize battery dispatch for carbon reduction and to serve building owners navigating Local Law 97, positioning herself as a leading expert in TOU emissions reporting. She has advised countless building owners and stakeholders on the impact of TOU emissions on energy usage and offsite storage, and has presented on the topic to organizations including NYBEST, RE+, REBNY, BEEX, NYSEIA, and numerous property managers. Her expertise led her to collaborate directly with the NYC Department of Buildings and NYBEST to help shape rule-making for buildings utilizing onsite and offsite battery storage. In addition to her industry-leading work in greenhouse gas emissions, Maddie was a 2023 fellow in the Clean Energy Leadership Institute’s (CELI) NY cohort, and previously interned with NYSERDA in their Office of Financing Solutions. She holds dual B.A. degrees in Political Science and Media Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Public Administration and Policy from NYU Wagner, where she specialized in energy markets and renewable energy policy. Maddie was honored as the NY-AEE Chapter’s Young Energy Professional of the Year in 2024, and currently serves as a Manager of Product Analytics at NineDot Energy, focusing on TOU emissions reporting standards for energy storage and NYC buildings. 

Ingénieur énergétique de l'année

Amal Jina 

Amal Jina is a distinguished Professional Engineer and Certified Energy Manager with nearly 20 years of experience in mechanical and energy engineering. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science, specializing in Mechatronics, from the University of Waterloo, and a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Energy Systems from the University of Toronto. Amal’s academic and community contributions have earned her prestigious awards, including the International Scholarship and the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship. 

After six years in aerospace, Amal transitioned to the energy sector, driving high-impact initiatives. She saved over $1M annually at South Health Campus, secured $600K in LED incentives at Loblaw, and implemented energy strategies at Shoppers Drug Mart that saved $1.25M in the first year. At Walmart Canada, she reduced energy use intensity by 11% while managing a $160M utility portfolio and earning $400K annually in incentives. Currently, as a Senior Energy Engineer at CIMCO Refrigeration, she leads decarbonization efforts, managing a 30MW heat pump pipeline projected to cut 40,000 metric tons of emissions, and co-developed a tool for analyzing energy and GHG savings across North America. 

Amal is deeply committed to global sustainability efforts, serving as the Global Energy and Emissions Advisor for the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Development Network. She supports projects across multiple countries, advising on solar PV installations, energy audits, and emissions savings. Additionally, she plays an active role in the Association of Energy Engineers – Greater Toronto Area Chapter (AEEGTA), where she serves as Vice President (2025), following her role as Director of Membership and Strategic Development.  

Amal has led key initiatives like Energy Efficiency Day (2023) and AEEGTA’s 25th Anniversary. As the leader of the Council for Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL), she launched the Council and organizes national webinars to empower women in the energy sector. Amal continues to advance sustainable energy solutions locally and globally, fostering innovation and leadership in energy management. 

Innovateur énergétique de l'année

Bilal Khursheed 

With 20 years in the energy sector, Bilal Khursheed serves as the Global Executive Director for Power & Utilities at Microsoft, where he drives digital transformation through AI, cloud, and next-generation technologies. His leadership is reshaping how energy is generated, distributed, and secured, enabling predictive grid management, asset intelligence, and operational resilience at scale. Bilal has been a pioneer in deploying Generative AI to accelerate decarbonization, optimize energy trading, and power self-healing, intelligent grids. A recognized expert in OT cybersecurity, he has shaped global energy security strategies and protected critical infrastructure amid escalating threats. Bilal’s work is transforming the energy sector by unlocking efficiencies through digital solutions that enhance grid flexibility, reliability, and sustainability. His leadership in AI-powered innovation has optimized energy trading, displaced legacy infrastructure, and strengthened cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard national energy grids. Bilal’s strategic partnerships with key industry players have driven measurable impact in decarbonization and operational intelligence, propelling utilities into a new era of efficiency and sustainability. A visionary with relentless execution, Bilal is not just advancing the industry, he is shaping its future. 

Responsable de l'énergie de l'année

Anand Varahala

Anand holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, a bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Hyderabad, India, and is a Certified Energy Manager and a Licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina. He has over 16 years of experience in energy management and sustainability, Anand currently serves as the Director of Energy & Sustainability at Schneider Electric North America, where he is responsible for leading the company’s operational decarbonization strategy, including initiatives in energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy procurement, while also acting as a global subject matter expert in decarbonization and energy management.  Anand also supports various supply chain sustainability initiatives and representing Schneider Electric at external engagements to advocate for sustainability. Throughout his career, Anand has successfully managed the energy efficiency program across more than 50 facilities, achieving approximately 160 million kWh in energy savings and $11 million in cost savings, and has played a pivotal role in the implementation of ISO 50001 at more than 20 facilities, showcasing his expertise in energy management systems. He developed innovative solutions, such as machine learning-based HVAC controls and compressed air leak detection programs and has developed tools to measure and report energy efficiency performance. In addition to his leadership in sustainability, Anand has mentored numerous professionals and students in the field, sharing his knowledge and passion for energy management. Outside of his professional work, Anand enjoys exploring nature, hiking, climbing, traveling, dancing, and pondering the big questions of life with his family. 

Développement professionnel de l'énergie

Albert Williams 

Albert Williams is a globally recognized energy engineering instructor, technical advisor, and published author with over two decades of experience advancing energy efficiency and sustainability worldwide. He has delivered more than 230 professional training courses across 46 countries to energy professionals from over 85 nations and played a key role in developing over 30 specialized training programs, including CEM®, CEA™, CIEP™, and 50001CP™. As the lead instructor and chief content creator for the Certified Industrial Energy Professional (CIEP™) program, lead editor for the SI-unit international editions of the CEM® and CEA™ courses, Editor-in-Chief of the Manuel de gestion de l'énergie (10th Edition), and author of the Manuel des systèmes énergétiques industriels, his contributions to global energy education are far-reaching. Albert holds 10 AEE® certifications, 4 UNIDO qualifications, and has conducted more than 260 energy audits across North America, Western and Northern Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, South and East Asia, and Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa. He consults for 20 global organizations and serves in key roles with major institutions, including AEE® (as a board member, training instructor, and Global Training Guidance Committee member), UNIDO (as an international expert and instructor in multiple systems), and the World Bank (as a technical advisor for pump systems in South and Central Asia). A recipient of seven international awards, Albert continues to shape the field of energy management through impactful education, expert consulting, and authorship of foundational industry resources. 

Gestion de l'énergie d'entreprise

Netcare

Netcare, South Africa’s largest private hospital group, has emerged as a global leader in healthcare sustainability, proving that environmental responsibility drives financial success. Since 2013, the organization has earned 47 sustainability awards through its relentless focus on improving energy, water, and waste efficiency. With 255 energy projects implemented, Netcare has achieved a 39% reduction in energy intensity per hospital bed, nearly 17% less water consumption, and a commitment to zero waste to landfill—resulting in 1.5 billion in savings. Solar power now supports 72 of its facilities with 14MWp of installed capacity, contributing to a 13% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Netcare has set ambitious goals of achieving zero Scope 2 emissions by 2030 and reaching total Net Zero by 2050. Through pioneering innovations in HVAC systems, lighting, and waste heat recovery, Netcare continues to set the standard for corporate energy management in the healthcare sector. 

Gestion de l'énergie institutionnelle

Virginia Beach City Public Schools  

For nearly two decades, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has demonstrated a strong commitment to energy stewardship through continuous, forward-thinking initiatives aimed at enhancing the functionality, safety, health, efficiency, and resilience of its school facilities. In partnership with a trusted energy services provider, VBCPS has made sustainability a core priority—not just in policy, but in practice. 

To date, energy-saving project work has impacted more than 50 schools and over 8 million square feet of building space. Through strategically phased performance work implemented via work orders with NORESCO, VBCPS continues to fulfill its mission of providing “a healthful learning/working environment which contributes to protecting, conserving, and enhancing the nation’s environmental resources while providing long-term savings to taxpayers through lower operating costs.” 

VBCPS has invested over $40 million under a master agreement for project development, energy engineering, lighting auditing and design, design engineering, procurement of materials and labor, project management, and commissioning services. By proactively replacing and upgrading aging infrastructure, implementing advanced building controls and automation, and deploying innovative technologies like ground source heat pumps, the division is creating healthier, more efficient learning environments. Additionally, VBCPS integrates these sustainability projects into classroom instruction—transforming real-world improvements into meaningful educational opportunities for students. 

Projet énergétique de l'année

YMCA of the Triangle Area Performance Contract 

The YMCA of the Triangle, established in 1857, is one of North Carolina’s leading nonprofit organizations and one of the most impactful YMCAs in the nation. Serving Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and the broader Triangle region, it operates 19 facilities and three overnight camps across seven counties. With a mission centered on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the YMCA engages over 230,000 individuals annually through camps, programs, and memberships, supported by approximately 415 full-time and 5,600 part-time employees. Guided by core values and a commitment to inclusion, the YMCA focuses on supporting education, improving health outcomes, developing changemakers, and strengthening families. 

 In 2024, the YMCA invested $10.9 million into the community through donations, grants, and endowment support. The YMCA of the Triangle has been selected for the U.S. Energy Project of the Year in recognition of its pioneering use of the Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance Contracting model. This approach was the first of its kind for a YMCA association in the United States, enabling the organization to reduce energy consumption, address deferred maintenance, and meet capital expenditure needs. The performance contracting model allowed the YMCA to reallocate existing utility and maintenance costs to fund multiple energy improvement projects, advancing its sustainability efforts and enhancing its service to members and the broader community. 

International Energy Project of the Year

Innovative Optimization Forecast Model to Predict Residential Customers’ Energy Savings and Select the Most Cost-Effective Options in the Demand Response Program

Dr. Anthony Lo is currently the Director of Customer Success and Sales at CLP Power Hong Kong Limited. He has previously held senior management roles across various departments, including retail business, smart metering, and power grid development. With extensive experience in building services, green building design, and energy management, Dr. Lo plays a key role in shaping energy management strategies, implementing innovative technologies and energy-saving solutions, and promoting energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and the adoption of renewable energy. His efforts support business customers in achieving sustainability goals and addressing climate change, while also encouraging the public to adopt a low-carbon lifestyle through education.

In recent years, he has also championed the advancement of green finance, with his team successfully linking sustainability-linked loans to energy management services across diverse industries. Under his leadership, CLP Power has supported Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan for net-zero emissions by 2050, notably through the launch of the “Summer Saver Rebate Program” (SSR) in 2022, which has engaged over 2.5 million customers and saved 990,000 kWh of energy in just 10 hours. This initiative is supported by a unique, locally adapted optimization forecast model that processes over 100 million data points in an hour, evaluates over 2,000 district combinations, and improves decision-making and cost efficiency—saving over US$219,000 in demand response event costs. This model exemplifies how strategic use of technology can significantly enhance energy efficiency and demand response capabilities for utilities worldwide.

Projet énergétique innovant de l'année

Tri-gen: A Path to Sustainability at Toyota Logistics Services Long Beach 

Toyota’s Tri-gen facility at the Port of Long Beach is a groundbreaking energy platform that produces renewable electricity, hydrogen, and water from biogas, supporting zero-emission vehicles while significantly reducing environmental impact. Built by FuelCell Energy, Tri-gen is based on advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology and was developed to support operations at Toyota Logistics Services’ (TLS) Long Beach vehicle processing center—the company’s largest such facility in the United States, handling approximately 200,000 new Toyota and Lexus vehicles annually. 

This innovative project directly aligns with Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050 and broader carbon neutrality goals by enhancing both operational efficiency and sustainability. Tri-gen generates up to 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity annually, helping power TLS Long Beach and supplying excess energy back to the grid. It also produces up to 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen per day for use in transportation, and up to 1,400 gallons of fresh water daily, which replaces municipal water in washing and preparing vehicles for shipment. The facility enables TLS Long Beach to operate on 100% renewable energy and has made it the world’s first port vehicle processing site powered entirely by on-site, self-generated clean energy—offsetting up to 9,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. 

Additionally, Tri-gen offers a scalable and replicable model for clean energy use across port operations and trucking fleets, demonstrating a powerful alternative to conventional energy sources and reducing reliance on natural resources. 

About the Association of Energy Engineers:

The Association of Energy Engineers connects professionals with a worldwide community of over 17,000 members, 32,000 active certifications in over 133 countries, offering access to globally recognized certifications, cutting-edge entraînement, adhésion, and engaging events. AEE is committed to providing solutions for an efficient, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future.