Electric Innovation Initiative Opens Submissions for 2026 Electric Innovation Awards

Awards highlight scalable solutions advancing electrification nationwide

SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric Innovation Initiative, a national 10-year initiative advancing electrification across the U.S. through 2035 by convening leaders across government, industry, and philanthropy to accelerate high-impact solutions, today announced the opening of submissions for the 2026 Electric Innovation Awards, a national program recognizing scalable electrification initiatives driving the transition to an all-electric future.

Building on its inaugural year, which drew more than 180 submissions from across the country, the Electric Innovation Awards have quickly become a platform for elevating bold ideas with real-world impact.

Now in its second year, the awards highlight projects across buildings, transportation, energy systems, and public policy that are driving measurable progress in decarbonization, grid resilience, and access to clean energy.

"Electrification is no longer a future ambition, it's happening now across every sector of our economy. What we need are scalable solutions that can move from pilot to widespread adoption quickly," said David Hochschild, Chair of the California Energy Commission and Co-Founder of Electric Innovation Initiative. "The Electric Innovation Awards are helping surface exactly that kind of leadership: projects that not only reduce emissions, but strengthen our grid, lower costs, and create lasting economic opportunity. This is how we accelerate progress at the pace the moment demands."

The 2026 Electric Innovation Awards will recognize leaders across four categories:

• Scale Catalyst Award – For initiatives designed to scale through partnerships, policy, or modular deployment
• Policy Innovation Award – For public sector leadership advancing electrification through bold policy
• Power for All Award – For expanding access to clean energy and electrification benefits
• Design & Discovery Award – For breakthrough technologies and solutions shaping the future

Submissions will be reviewed by a distinguished selection committee of leaders across government, industry, and philanthropy, including:

• Serena McIlwain, Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment
• Justin Bibb, Mayor, City of Cleveland, Ohio
• Eileen Higgins, Mayor, City of Miami, Florida
• Mike Brune, CEO, Clean Break Fund; former Executive Director, Sierra Club
• Timothy L. Johnson, Professor of the Practice of Energy and the Environment, Duke University
• Andrew Chang, CEO, New Energy Nexus
• Caroline Grey, Advisor, California Energy Commission
• Barbara Buffaloe, Mayor, Columbia, Missouri
• Melissa Uhl, Chief Strategy Officer, Elemental Impact
• Kelly Speakes-Backman, Director, Maryland Energy Administration
• Andrew Beebe, Managing Director, Obvious Ventures
• Deborah Burke, Program Officer, Rockefeller Brothers Fund
• Sachu Constantine, Executive Director, Vote Solar
• Robert Barrosa, CEO, Electrify America
• Weldon Kennedy, Co-Founder and CMO, Copper
• Adam Zurofsky, Advisor, Commonweal Ventures
• Dylan McDowell, CEO, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL)
• Gene Rodrigues, Former Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity and Energy Reliability, U.S. Department of Energy
• Emily Warren, Deputy Secretary for Innovative Mobility Solutions, California State Transportation Agency

"Cities play a critical role in translating electrification goals into real-world outcomes—and in shaping what ultimately scales nationwide," said Eileen Higgins, Mayor of the City of Miami, Florida. "The priority now is identifying solutions that can be implemented across diverse communities and scaled quickly. The Electric Innovation Awards are helping surface the leadership and ideas needed to accelerate that progress."

Winners will be announced during Climate Week NYC 2026, one of the world's leading convenings of climate and energy leaders. In addition to national recognition, awardees will have the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders through the Electric Innovation Forum—an exclusive, executive-level, cross-sector gathering focused on advancing electrification policy and accelerating the adoption of scalable electrification solutions.

Last year's winners were recognized during Climate Week NYC alongside national leaders, including former U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and participated in a policy forum with over 65 bipartisan legislators and innovators advancing electrification across the U.S.

The inaugural 2025 awardees included Electrify America for its battery energy storage system, the City of Atlanta for its EV readiness ordinance, Zum for its vehicle-to-grid electric school bus program, and Gradient for its innovative window heat pump technology.

As electrification accelerates nationwide, the Electric Innovation Awards continue to spotlight the solutions and leaders driving real progress. By elevating scalable ideas and connecting them with policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders, the program is helping turn innovation into impact.

Submissions are open through June 3, 2026.

Learn more and apply here.

About Electric Innovation Initiative:
The Electric Innovation Initiative is a national, 10-year initiative advancing electrification across the United States through 2035. Co-founded by California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild and Hawaii State Senator Chris Lee, the Initiative convenes leaders across government, industry, philanthropy, and finance to accelerate the adoption of scalable, high-impact solutions.

Through programs including the Electric Innovation Awards, the Electric Innovation Forum, and immersive policy tours, the Initiative connects innovators directly with policymakers and decision-makers—bridging the gap between breakthrough technologies and real-world deployment. By elevating proven solutions and fostering cross-sector collaboration, the Initiative is helping drive progress toward a more reliable, resilient, and electrified energy future.

To learn more, visit: https://electricinnovation.org or follow Electric Innovation on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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