The Bonneville Power Administration and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, in partnership with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and utilities throughout the Northwest hosted the 12th Annual Efficiency Exchange Conference on May 14-15, 2024, in Spokane, Washington. With over 500 in-person and virtual attendees, the conference highlighted the region’s collaborative leadership in energy efficiency innovation.

The conference kicked off with keynote speaker Katheryn Schulz, author, public speaker, and staff writer at The New Yorker. Schulz inspired attendees with an invitation to embrace our innate human fallibility. Her message resonated with audience members as she reflected on collaborations that drive change and the importance of acknowledging and adapting to our inevitable mistakes.

Avista President Heather Rosentrater delivered the second day keynote, highlighting the utility's leadership in operating the grid more holistically to benefit customers in the region. Rosentrater described the growing demands that are being placed on the grid and how historical tools will not meet future needs. She discussed Avista’s innovative practice of using design thinking methodology opportunities as the utility works towards shared energy management to optimize the grid and the built environment to its full potential and enable cost efficiencies by sharing energy resources.

Throughout the conference, attendees dove into topics from rural utility success stories, innovations in grocery refrigeration and HVAC, managing electric vehicle loads, workforce development partnerships and much more. This year’s conference featured additional networking events for attendees to meet colleagues from around the region. Activities such as DEI micro learnings, lunch roundtables, supper clubs, energy efficiency tours and golf provided attendees with new opportunities to meet fellow energy efficiency professionals and reconnect with peers from around the region.

Networking, learning and fun was captured on the EFX24 photo stream and in the EFX24 wrap up video below.