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March 31, 2025 •Terry Sobolewski
What a week!
Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming clients, partners, and industry leaders from across the country to Summit Down South—Franklin Energy’s client summit—held in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.
The location was stunning. The energy? Even better.
We didn’t host this event just to reconnect—we hosted it because this is a pivotal moment for our industry. Utilities are facing unprecedented challenges. Customers are overwhelmed with information. Resources are limited, but expectations aren’t. And in the middle of it all? Us. You. Me. All of us—trying to boldly change our energy future.
And boldly, we did.
Over the past 30 years, Franklin Energy has evolved dramatically. From our earliest days rolling up our sleeves with customers and contractors, to today—where we now operate as a fully integrated partner across three critical domains:
- Large-scale portfolio administration, program implementation, and energy engineering services by Franklin Energy and AESC
- Products and delivery platforms by AM Conservation
- Design/build services by EVA Green Power
These aren’t just structural changes—they represent a deep and intentional effort to better serve utilities and their customers in a rapidly changing landscape. This summit gave us the opportunity to share that journey with our clients, while also hearing from them about the future they’re working to build.
Our sessions ranged from cutting-edge to “how-did-we-not-think-of-that-sooner,” including:
- Lessons in Innovative Whole Home Programs from California – because who better to learn from than the state that never sleeps on energy innovation?
- The Art of Being Unreasonable – a crowd favorite. Because playing it safe never changed the world.
- Product Development and Proprietary Research-Informed Best Practices – say that three times fast, then implement it.
- Emerging Decarbonization Measures and Load Management for C&I Customers – for those looking to do more with less, without short-circuiting.
But perhaps the most meaningful conversations were about the human side of what we do. We talked about affordability, and how it remains a top concern. We addressed the need for a workforce that truly reflects the communities we serve. And we dug into the practical realities of implementing change, not just dreaming it.
We were reminded that energy savings are harder to come by than ever—and that demand-side management and demand response are no longer “nice to haves,” but critical tools for the grid of the future.
And let’s not forget the fun. Between golf swings, pickleball serves, boat cruise with crabbing and skeet shooting (yes, really), and culinary walks through Charleston, we found time to enjoy the moments in between. After all, relationships are forged not just in conference rooms, but over cocktails and cannonball contests (okay, maybe not cannonballs—but the energy was there).
Most importantly, this Summit reminded me of something essential: progress is what happens when we push boundaries together.
At Franklin Energy, we’ve committed to a mindset of Kaizen—continuous, incremental improvement. Yes, we have a bold vision for where we want to go. But we also recognize the importance of taking small, purposeful steps every day to get there.
It’s easy to focus on the destination. This summit reminded us that how we travel there matters just as much.
To everyone who made the trip to Charleston—thank you. To those who couldn’t—we missed you. And to the whole industry watching this space: this is your invitation to join us next time.
Together, we’re tackling some of the most complex challenges our industry has ever faced. And we’re doing it with purpose, collaboration, and tenacity.
Together, we can redefine what’s possible.
