As an energy management analyst with Seattle City Light for over six years, Theo Frey has been the force behind the company's energy conservation programs. In a recent profile spotlighting his role, Frey's work is integral to helping commercial and industrial customers save on energy costs. "I work with commercial and industrial customers to help them save energy and guide them through participating in our conservation programs," Frey explained.
Interestingly, Seattle City Light incentivizes lower electricity usage, a notable strategy against the traditional utility model. Peering through the economic kaleidoscope, Frey's efforts make sense—as he puts it, "People are often surprised to hear we pay our customers for using less electricity, but our conservation efforts help the utility manage its resources and save money in the long run by reducing stress on the grid." The goal is to forge a path toward a more sustainable energy future, one where consumption is as pivotal to utility companies as the provision of power.
A Washington native, Frey hails from Sammamish, a suburb east of Seattle. His academic journey brought him to Western Washington University, where he majored in energy management—a field he's passionate about applying in his professional career. Family life is also a cornerstone for Frey, as mentioned in his interview, where his personal life is interwoven with deep local and emotional ties. "My wife, Sidar, and I have been together for 15 years. Sidar was born in Wenatchee, Wash. Her parents were Cambodian refugees who were granted asylum in the U.S. in the 1980s," Frey told the publication. A duo of adopted dogs from the Seattle Humane Society, Dash, and Dixie, complete their family portrait.
Even while Frey's professional pursuits seek to temper the city's electric cravings, he admits to his indulgence—a quest for the perfect cup of coffee. He recounted a costly mistake while abroad: "On a recent trip to London I accidentally spent $21.84 on a single cup of coffee." Adding to his affable nature are instances of mistaken identity—some light-hearted and others not so. "I’m constantly being mistaken for other people... One time a gentleman who’d had a few too many drinks thought I was an actor from the movie 'EuroTrip'," Frey shared with a chuckle.
Concluding the profile, Frey's dedication to both his city and the broader environmental cause shines through. His commitment to energy conservation serves as a blueprint for others in the utility space, demonstrating that saving power doesn't only benefit the environment but also the economic well-being of the society it serves.
