AFREC - “Energy Excellence Award” to Jan Sockel, VP & GM NRG Energy LLC

HARRISBURG, Pa. - June 2, 2014 - PRLog -- (HARRISBURG, PA)   AFREC Sustainability Leadership Council is pleased to announce the first “Energy Excellence Award – Innovation and Inspiration to Jan P. Sockel, Vice President and General Manager, NRG Energy Center, LLC.

The award was created to recognize forward thinking leaders who are open to consider new technologies and implement cost benefit energy efficiency solutions.

Jan is recognized for his contributions in energy management specifically infrastructure investment, energy efficiency, water conservation and alternative energy.

During his career at NRG Energy Center LLC, formerly Harrisburg Steam Works, he has been instrumental in adding a cogeneration plant and a cooling plant to the existing steam, conducting a biodiesel pilot test of one 6MW diesel engine on B100 and B50 for engine performance and emissions and explored various other alternative technologies including wood biomass CHP.

Jan has also extended innovative outreach to increase adoption of sustainable business practices to raise the level of awareness of and interest in ratepayer-funded energy-efficiency programs.

NRG Energy Center hosts tours of the facility to the private and public sectors to improve their understanding of how consumers behave and adopt better ways of engaging them.  The inroads are key to helping customers understand that their involvement potentially can help capture sizable energy savings.

The NRG Harrisburg community energy system serves District heating to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, nearly 150 customers; district cooling to both the PinnacleHealth System's Harrisburg Hospital and the Dauphin County Courthouse complexes.

“The future growth of sustainable business lies on the shoulders of visionary leaders.  These people are corporate managers who are willing to investigate the potential of new energy technologies and implement change.  Jan Sockel’s career is an exemplary of the business leadership that will significantly affect the way Americans embrace sustainability and corporations preserve profitability.” Rosemary T McAvoy, President, AFREC Sustainability Leadership Council.

AFREC is a Mid Atlantic based, private, industry driven alliance that exclusively focuses on the economics and development of corporate and government sustainability programs, projects, products and initiatives. Founded in 2005, AFREC is one of the nation’s pioneer Corporate Leadership Councils to endorse all sustainable energy solutions that improve corporate profitability.”