Oct. 21--Given this region's natural resources and other assets, Keith Schaefer started a company five years ago to "help make Pittsburgh the energy capital of the world."

Hyperbole or not, Schaefer is onto something big. Founded in October 2004, BPL Global Ltd., Sewickley, already exceeds $50 million in annual revenue, employs about 150 people and is "at the tipping point" of turning its first operating profit.

The company designs "smart" software that shows utilities how to manage power grids most efficiently and shows customers how to minimize consumption. Its first client was Duquesne Light, which went on to become an investor as well, Schaefer said.

BPL was named the "green technology" company winner last week as part of the Pittsburgh Technology Council's annual Tech 50 awards, beating eight other finalists. Schaefer was selected as CEO of the Year by technology council judges from among 10 nominees.

"I love the fact I took a risk, and it paid great dividends to start a company in Pittsburgh," said Schaefer, 60, who lives in Mt. Lebanon.

First Energy Corp., which owns electric utilities in Pennsylvania and Ohio, is BPL's biggest customer, but its base stretches worldwide. The company sells to 90 of the world's 125 largest utilities, from France to Saudi Arabia to China, said Schaefer. About 50 percent of its revenue is generated in the United States and 50 percent overseas.

"We wanted to make an impact on a global basis that would help transform the way utilities brought energy to consumers, to make energy more efficient and reliable," said Schaefer.

Being a bit stodgy, utilities resisted BPL's pitches at first, he said. But Schaefer's timing was good. Three factors began changing utilities' minds:

--States began requiring cleaner energy production, including some steep penalties for non-compliance.

--Capital outlays to produce more electricity grew far higher than the cost of buying BPL's software to maximize current output.

--Limiting output, while satisfying power demand, gave utilities carbon-emission credits they could not otherwise attain.

"We took existing infrastructure and made it smart," he said. BPL has even taken that philosophy to the residential consumer level.

For example, a company pilot program in Northern California resets thermostats in about 2,000 volunteers' homes to lower their electric bills for air conditioning.

Schaefer points to Pittsburgh's assets for beginning BPL here: rich natural gas and coal reserves, along with the promise of the vast Marcellus Shale natural gas formation; research capabilities of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh; an active venture-capital community; and a talented base of loyal -- and affordable -- employees.

"He could have done this anywhere. He didn't have to come back and start this company here," said technology council CEO Audrey Russo.

Born in Wheeling and raised in Baldwin, Schaefer's work experience stretches from Cincinnati (Procter & Gamble) to California (Atari Corp. and a technology consulting firm). Plus, he co-founded or led 10 start-ups, two of which went public.

Schaefer earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971 and left the area. But he got more involved with Pitt starting in 2004, then joined its board of trustees in 2007, when he stopped commuting and moved back here for good.

"Keith is just a real leader," said attorney Marlee Myers, Pittsburgh managing partner at Morgan Lewis Bockius, which helped select the technology council winners. "He's excellent at recruiting and at rewarding employees, but demands the highest levels of achievement of people."

Thomas Olson can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7854.

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