Bismarck, Oct. 3, 2024 - At this year’s annual CyberCon event hosted by Bismarck State College in their National Energy Center of Excellence facility, the 2024 TechND Award for “Technology Innovator” was awarded to the Western Dakota Energy Association for their Wise Roads project.

Executive Director of TechND Terry Effertz presented the award to WDEA representatives Geoff Simon and Brent Bogar.

“This year's winner is the result of a project spearheaded by the Western Dakota Energy Association, in partnership with NDSU's North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute,” Effertz remarked, adding that “Wise Roads, as the name implies, has taken aim at drastically improving transportation information-sharing and data models which influence the oil and gas industry. Increasing efficiency for large-scale transport logistics in the energy sector, where they rely on many county and township roads subject to restriction during inclement weather, benefits the workers and citizens in our communities by maintaining the integrity of public roadways and keeping businesses operating everywhere it's safe.”

The presentation commended the project for their advanced technological approach to addressing weather monitoring needs, benefitting county road managers, industrial operations, and communities alike.

see below for official press release: