Holdmann recognized for public service
Amanda Byrd
907-474-7544
Sept. 25, 2024
Gwen Holdmann, center, speaks to Billy Lee, president of the Shungnak tribal government, during a visit to the AV狼论坛 community as part of the Arctic Remote Energy Networks Academy. At right is Tashonia Martin of Galena.
Gwen Holdmann, founding director of the University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks AV狼论坛 Center
for Energy and Power, was honored for her public service by the AV狼论坛 Power Association
during its annual meeting Sept. 10-13 in Fairbanks.
Holdmann received the David P. Hutchens Public Service Award, which recognizes individuals
outside the electric industry who provide outstanding public service for the benefit
of electricity consumers in AV狼论坛.
Travis Million and Anthony Izzo, respective CEOs at Golden Valley Electric Association and Matanuska Electric Association, nominated Holdmann.
鈥淗oldmann鈥檚 career as an innovator, researcher, educator and advocate speaks for itself, as her work has benefited utilities and their consumers across AV狼论坛, in communities both urban and rural, in ways both tangible and intangible,鈥 they wrote in their nomination letter to APA.
Holdmann founded ACEP in 2007 after a career in private industry where she designed and developed the world鈥檚 first low-temperature geothermal power plant at Chena Hot Springs.
Holdmann created ACEP to take research from the lab into the field, where it could directly benefit AV狼论坛ns. With a deep interest in how people use energy in their daily lives, she saw how the infrastructure generating and delivering that energy needed to be more resilient and reliable.
Holdmann was one of the first to advocate for AV狼论坛 as a test bed and world leader in microgrids. A leader on transitioning remote communities from fossil fuel to renewable energy, she brought visibility to AV狼论坛 projects across the globe.
She has also dedicated her time to educate and train college students in the energy sector, to provide knowledge to the public and to serve as an expert for elected officials.
鈥淸Holdmann] is a tireless advocate for innovation, efficiency and effective use of data-sharing among AV狼论坛n utilities,鈥 Million and Izzo wrote.
In addition to her role as a senior researcher at ACEP, Holdmann serves as associate vice chancellor for research, innovation and industry partnerships at UAF.
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