Convergent Energy and Power named Platts Global Energy Awards finalist. Convergent Energy and Power executive named finalist for 2026 Platts Global Energy Awards. Convergent Energy and Power (Convergent), a leading provider of energy storage solutions in North America, announced that Laura Behrer, the company's Vice President of Environmental, Health, and Safety, has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Platts Global Energy Awards. Behrer was recognized in the "Rising Star Individual" category for her leadership in developing practical, scalable approaches to safety across Convergent's expanding energy storage portfolio. The recognition comes as energy storage continues to become an increasingly important component of modern power infrastructure. As battery energy storage deployments expand across North America, developers and operators are facing growing expectations around operational safety, emergency preparedness, environmental responsibility, and long-term reliability. Behrer's work at Convergent has focused on addressing these priorities while supporting the company's growth and delivery of critical energy infrastructure. The Platts Global Energy Awards, now in its 28th year, is regarded as one of the energy industry's prominent recognition programs. The 2026 program includes companies and individuals from at least 36 countries, reflecting the global scope of the energy sector and the range of organizations contributing to its ongoing transformation. The 2026 finalists were announced by S&P Global Energy, the program's host and organizer. S&P Global Energy provides information, data, analysis, and benchmark pricing across energy, petrochemicals, metals, shipping, commodities, and energy transition markets. The annual awards recognize organizations and individuals for achievements spanning leadership, innovation, technology, operational performance, and contributions to the development of energy markets. Johannes Rittershausen, Co-CEO of Convergent, said Behrer's recognition reflects her ability to connect safety leadership with the operational requirements of a rapidly changing energy industry. "In a rapidly evolving energy landscape where energy storage has become critical infrastructure and safety expectations continue to rise, Laura stands out as a leader who ensures innovation and growth are matched by accountability and operational excellence," Rittershausen said. He added that Behrer has dedicated her career to advancing safety and sustainability and that her efforts have made an important contribution to Convergent's systems, workforce, and the communities in which the company operates. Behrer brings more than 19 years of experience in construction and renewable energy to her role at Convergent. Throughout her career, she has focused on safety, sustainability, and operational excellence, areas that have become increasingly important as renewable energy technologies and energy storage systems expand into new markets. At Convergent, Behrer leads the company's safety strategy across its battery energy storage portfolio. Her responsibilities include proactive risk management, emergency preparedness, and the integration of safety-by-design principles into projects and operations. Rather than treating safety as a separate operational function, her approach emphasizes incorporating safety considerations into project development, construction, deployment, and ongoing operation. Safety-by-design practices can be particularly important for battery energy storage projects, where developers must account for a range of operational and environmental considerations throughout the life of an asset. By incorporating risk management and emergency preparedness into project planning, energy companies can establish processes designed to support workers, communities, and infrastructure. Behrer's leadership has also contributed to strengthening safety culture across Convergent. Her work emphasizes consistent safety practices and accountability while supporting the company's broader objective of delivering reliable energy infrastructure. As energy storage becomes increasingly integrated into electricity systems, maintaining strong operational standards is expected to remain an important consideration for developers, owners, operators, and other industry stakeholders. In addition to her responsibilities related to safety strategy, Behrer is described as a mentor and advocate for workforce development. She has focused on helping develop the next generation of safety professionals within the energy industry, recognizing the need for skilled personnel capable of addressing the evolving requirements of renewable energy and energy storage projects. The Rising Star Individual category highlights professionals whose contributions demonstrate leadership and potential within the energy sector. Behrer's selection places her among industry professionals being recognized for their individual contributions at a time when the energy sector is undergoing significant change. The growth of battery energy storage is part of a broader transformation across power markets. Storage systems can support electricity networks by helping manage changing demand and supply, integrating variable renewable generation, and improving system flexibility. As deployments increase, the industry is also placing greater emphasis on ensuring that projects are developed and operated with robust safety and environmental practices. S&P Global Energy representatives highlighted the achievements of this year's finalists and the role of innovation in shaping energy markets. Simon Marshall, Head of Energy Conferences, Training & Strategic Media at S&P Global Energy, said the industry is changing at an unprecedented pace and requires resilience, strategic vision, and an openness to new opportunities. "The energy industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, requiring resilience, strategic vision, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities," Marshall said. "This year's finalists have distinguished themselves through exceptional leadership, technological advancement, and operational excellence." Marshall added that the achievements of the finalists demonstrate how innovation is contributing to progress across global energy markets and said S&P Global Energy was honored to recognize them through the 2026 Platts Global Energy Awards. For Convergent, Behrer's finalist selection provides recognition of the importance of safety leadership alongside technological and commercial growth in the energy storage industry. As companies continue deploying larger and more sophisticated storage portfolios, integrating safety, sustainability, and operational discipline into those projects is becoming an increasingly central part of responsible infrastructure development. The 2026 Platts Global Energy Awards will bring together finalists from across the international energy sector, highlighting achievements from companies and individuals working across established and emerging areas of the industry. Behrer's nomination in the Rising Star Individual category underscores the growing importance of professionals who can help energy companies manage the operational challenges associated with a rapidly evolving energy landscape while maintaining a strong focus on safety and accountability.

Appeal of controversial energy storage facility goes to Thurston Co. commissioners. May 21, 2026 10:03 AM Key Takeaways AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Residents unhappy about a proposed battery energy storage system, or BESS, in south Thurston County, brought those concerns on appeal before the county commissioners on Wednesday. The BESS proposal, which was pitched by a New York company called Convergent Energy and Power, has been on quite the journey. Late last year the county hearings examiner rejected a special use permit tied to the proposal, then Convergent was granted a motion for reconsideration. After that hearing, the examiner reversed herself and approved the permit, which resulted in Wednesday's appeal before the board. It was appealed on March 19 by residents Brian and Tamara Haight, according to county information. Both appeared at Wednesday's hearing. Convergent wants the permit to construct a 5.4-megawatt battery energy storage system at 7505 183rd Ave. SW in Rochester. Such systems are used to store and supply additional power to the grid. Convergent would own the system, but would lease it to Puget Sound Energy, according to comments made at the meeting. PSE operates a substation near the proposed site. Some arguments at the hearing. Appellant Brian Haight was the first to address the commission. His arguments touched on zoning, safety, lack of detail and a flawed process. "The comprehensive plan clearly states that (land zoned) rural commercial center must be dependent on a rural setting, and that the (proposed) use is not dependent on a rural location if it serves a larger than rural market," he said. "Serving the entire (power) grid is far larger than a rural market, and so this use should be denied." West Thurston Fire Chief Nathan Drake, who has testified at previous hearings, has also been opposed to the proposal. He cites the risk of fires at such facilities. "There is ample evidence in the record that the proposed use could result in substantial adverse effects on the adjacent properties and to the public health, safety, and welfare," Haight said. And he wanted to know why more information about alternative sites wasn't presented, he said. "No full accounting was ever given to demonstrate why this particular site was needed, and is not merely more convenient or more profitable for the applicants," he said. "No alternative properties were presented in order to determine if they presented less adverse effects and burdens to the community." He added that the applicant and the examiner have stated that the project will not be built if a fire marshal does not approve of the emergency response plan in the event of a fire or other hazards. Haight argued that happens after it's built. "The time of a fire marshal review is prior to commissioning and energization," he said. "The project's already been constructed at that point; the hazards are already present." Attorney Reuben Schutz addressed the commission on behalf of Convergent. "Our position obviously is that the hearings examiner's decision should be upheld, and that's because it is based on a substantial record," he said. "We're talking about multiple technical reports on groundwater, on traffic, on noise, on geology, fire risk, etc. You know, county staff reviewed in detail and recommended approval. That's the health department, that's the fire marshal, etc." He also defended the process to select the Rochester site. "There's a need by Puget Sound Energy, and then they looked at 150-plus sites," he said. "First, they're looking at the zoning, they're looking at the size, they're looking at the location, the necessary facilities, availability, critical areas, and throughout that process - and this is all in the record - they narrowed it down to five locations, and then based on several criteria, including the fact that there's a substation directly across the street, which is important to PSE, they chose this location. "This was a long process," Schutz said. "It was an arduous process to determine this location. It wasn't, you know, pointing a finger at a map." On rebuttal, Tamara Haight expressed disappointment in the hearings examiner. "In the initial hearing, the examiner found the community testimony to be credible," she said. "On reconsideration, however, she dismissed them as just reiterated. Not a single public comment exhibit testimony from the community members was cited in the findings or conclusions, and that evidence conflicted with the applicant's information, so that was important for her to look at, and she did not." Commissioner questions. Commissioner Tye Menser asked a question of Schutz, pointing out that "the appellant made reference to Thurston County code about no undue burden on any services, and then we have evidence from the fire district that it would be an undue burden." "My question for you: was input from West Thurston Fire not credible to you?" Menser asked. "The fire district said we don't have the capacity, but there wasn't any actual evidence cited, and the examiner found that we, the applicant, proposed impact fees, if necessary," Schutz said. "The code allows for impact fees if they, if more (fire district) equipment is needed, then impact fees can be used." Commissioner Carolina Mejia also inquired about why there wasn't more information about the alternative sites. "You know, when you're talking about 150 sites, are you supposed to have a dossier on each site, you know, with drawings and so forth?" Schutz said. "That wouldn't make any sense. It would be overly burdensome, unduly burdensome, so county staff in their review are charged with, you know, making that determination." "... The neighbors want more, but you know what's practical under the circumstances, what's reasonable, that's what should be applied, and you know ultimately staff and the hearings examiner are tasked with making that determination, and they did," Schutz added. The hearing, which lasted a little over an hour, was followed by an executive session of more than two hours. The commission finally emerged at 5:10 p.m. and made no decision. The Olympian reached out to Commissioner Emily Clouse after the meeting who said a decision is expected by Wednesday, May 27. Possible outcomes: denial, approval or the commission sends it back to the hearings examiner for more review. Local. March 14, 2026 5:00 AM February 4, 2026 12:22 PM The Olympian Rolf has worked at The Olympian since August 2005. He covers breaking news, the city of Lacey and business for the paper. Rolf graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1990. Support my work with a digital subscription