SDG&E Wins Technology Executive of the Year and Customer Innovation of the Year Awards
LOS ANGELES, September 15, 2023 — Cloud for Utilities recognized the latest class of Icon Award winners at the finale of the 2023 Digital + Cloud Summit. This years’ recipients have in common a dedication to their customers, both internal and external, and using innovation to better meet their needs. The Icon Awards recognize innovation within the utilities industry and help to highlight great examples that other utilities could and should learn from. The 2023 Icon Award winners will be highlighted in The Wall Street Journal.
Technology Executive of the Year
Ben Gordon
Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer & Chief Digital Officer
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas (SoCalGas)
In his five-year tenure at SDG&E and SoCalGas, Mr. Gordon has embraced and implemented cloud-based projects and initiatives that leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual twin-technology to respond and rise to some of his communities’ biggest challenges, including climate change, wildfire prevention, and decarbonization. Additionally, under his leadership, SDG&E’s IT organization has developed a new culture: developing talent in-house; championing customer obsession, and continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration.
Customer Innovation of the Year
San Diego Gas & Electric’s Vehicle to Grid program at the Cajon Valley Union School District
The first such project in the region, SDG&E’s vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program with the Cajon Valley Union School District connects eight electric school buses to the grid with bi-directional chargers. The buses can charge up to run routes and when parked can act as batteries discharging energy back to the grid. Due to the larger battery size, they can charge and discharge according to electricity demand. The project reduces costs for the district’s schools — electricity is cheaper than diesel fuel — and through SDG&E’s Emergency Load Reduction Program, can generate revenue when they give energy back to the grid during times of critical energy needs. Learn more about the project here: sdge.com/V2G
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