e2Companies^®’ Virtual Utility^® has been recognized among the world’s most groundbreaking innovations in the Critical Human Infrastructure category

Bonita Springs, Florida, April 13, 2026 – e2Companies^® has been named a finalist for the 2026 Edison Awards ™, earning a place among the world’s most cutting-edge innovators and breakthrough technologies. The company is being honored in the Critical Human Infrastructure category for its Virtual Utility^® platform that delivers prime power generation and advanced software with AI-powered energy optimization.

According to the 2025 Department of Energy (DOE) report on U.S. Grid Reliability, by 2030 the risk of power outages will increase by a factor of 100, with annual average outage hours rising from single digits to more than 800 hours. This surge of outages will leave millions of households and businesses vulnerable, unless updated infrastructure is adopted to support prime, reliable power delivery.

A recent analysis by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that utility costs are significantly outpacing inflation, placing a heavier burden on homeowners and business owners alike. At the same time, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) lowered the grade for our electrical grid to a D+ in 2025, citing several issues with the aging infrastructure.

“When it comes to both grid reliability and rising costs - we have a long way to go, and a short amount of time to get there,” James Richmond, CEO of e2Companies^® said. “e2 is proudly helping customers face demand challenges while transitioning to a cleaner, more reliable energy future with Virtual Utility^®.”

Inspired by Thomas Edison’s focus on DC electricity, Virtual Utility^® leverages DC power conversion with on-site hardware (the R3Di^® system) and AI-powered software for energy management (Grove 365^®). This integrated solution delivers reliability, flexibility, and control for customers in commercial, manufacturing, industrial, and prime-power AI data center settings.

“The energy industry is getting a wake-up call right now,” Richmond said. “AI data centers are accelerating innovation and leading us towards a smarter and more secure energy future, with independent sources of power that will modernize the entire grid network.”

Being named an Edison Awards finalist isn’t just recognition, it’s an inflection point. This is the stage where emerging innovators connect with industry leaders, and breakthrough ideas find their first believers.

The Edison Awards™, named after inventor Thomas Alva Edison, have long been a launchpad for innovation. This year's finalists were selected from thousands of global submissions through a rigorous evaluation process. Each innovation was assessed on Concept, Value, and Impact by the Edison Awards Steering Committee alongside an independent panel of senior scientists, engineers, designers, and industry leaders.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners will be announced at the Edison Awards Gala on April 16^th, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida, the home of Thomas Edison's winter estate and a city rapidly emerging as a hub for resiliency and innovative enterprises.

For more information on this year's Edison Awards, or to register to attend the event, please visit https://edisonawards.com/the-edison-awards/.

About e2Companies^®

e2Companies^® is the first vertically integrated Virtual Utility^® for power generation, distribution, and energy economics in the marketplace. e2Companies’ patented technology, the R3Di^®, is a Sub-Cycle Stability Bus™ (SCSB™) that delivers clean and conditioned power with deterministic subcycle control of active power (kW/MW) and reactive power (kVAR/MVAR). The R3Di^® is continuously monitored by Grove365^® to optimize resources and unlock new revenue opportunities for customers.

To learn more about e2Companies, visit www.e2companies.com.

About The Edison Awards™

Established in 1987, the Edison Awards™ honor excellence in innovation, celebrating the products, services, and leaders transforming how we live and work. Inspired by Thomas Edison’s legacy, the program recognizes game-changing solutions across industries worldwide, offering global recognition, credibility, and connections that drive growth.

For more information, visit www.edisonawards.com.

Media Contact:

Media may contact e2@ink-co.com or call 844-397-2692