Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster Announces 2022 Cleantech Innovation Award Nominees

Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster to recognize outstanding contributions from the companies, organizations, government agencies, and individuals that have advanced cleantech solutions and deployments across North Carolina this year.

RALEIGH, N.C. (October 4, 2022) – Nominees for the Fourth Annual Cleantech Innovation Awards have been announced by the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC), an initiative of business, government, academic, and nonprofit leaders focused on accelerating the growth and leadership of the regional and statewide cleantech economy. The awards are judged by leaders and executives from the cleantech industry and public sectors.

The winners in each category will be announced at an awards ceremony and networking event on Wednesday, November 9^th from 4:30pm to 8:00pm at the SAS Institute in Cary. Registration is now open for the event.

“This is a critical time for cleantech in North Carolina, and RTCC is excited to celebrate the innovative technologies and initiatives of our members and other individuals and organizations with our annual Cleantech Innovation Awards,” said Deb Wojcik, Executive Director of RTCC. “This year’s nominees have made significant contributions across a wide range of projects, ranging from clean energy, water, transportation, local government, economic development, research innovation, entrepreneurship, talent development, equity, and diversity.”

The nominees for each category are listed below:

Cleantech Impact: Energy – Recognizes an energy project that applies cleantech to create positive impacts for the environment, economy, and residents. Examples may include innovations to existing grid infrastructure to enhance resiliency, renewable energy installations, microgrid deployments, or innovative energy efficiency programs.
2022 Nominees:

• City of Charlotte – Publicly Disclosed Building Energy Benchmarking Report
• FlexGen – North Carolina Electric Cooperative Deployment
• Ndustrial – Statesville Blast Freezing Optimization
• PowerSecure – Behind the Meter Peaking Project
• SAS Institute – Grid Guardian AI
• Sound Agriculture – Source
• Town of Cary – South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF) Solar Facility Acquisition

Cleantech Impact: Local Government – Recognizes a local government that has effectively leveraged resources and partnerships to complete an innovative project or initiative deploying cleantech solutions to create positive impacts for the environment, economy, and residents. Examples may include smart city technology deployments, collaborative stormwater management agreements, or cross-departmental teams addressing climate change or cleantech adoption or deployment.
2022 Nominees:

• City of Charlotte – Leading the Charge Decal Design Competition
• Lexington City Schools – Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract
• Solarize the Triangle
• Town of Cary – LoRa Network
• Wake Tech – Scott Northern Wake Campus, Building R Hendrick Automotive Center for Excellence

Cleantech Impact: Transportation – Recognizes a transportation or mobility project that uses innovative cleantech solutions to create positive impacts for the environment, economy, and residents.

2022 Nominees:

• ABB – Innovative Solid State Circuit Breaker for More Sustainable Transportation
• City of Raleigh – GoGreen with Cleantech
• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians & Cherokee Boys Club – Native Electric
• Town of Cary – Town of Cary Fleet Vehicles

Cleantech Impact: Water – Recognizes a water, wastewater, or stormwater project that applies cleantech solutions to create positive impacts for the environment, economy, and residents.

2022 Nominees:

• Chatham Park & Preston Development – Chatham Park Water Recovery Center
• Duke University Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, & Sustainability – Internet of Water
• Town of Cary – North Cary Water Reclamation Project
• U.S. EPA-RTP Facilities Team – Large Scale HVAC Air Handling Unit (AHU) Condensate Capture to Reduce Stormwater & Use of Drinking Water

Cleantech Research Innovation Award – Recognizes an individual or group pursuing a research-based solution to a pressing cleantech challenge, working toward commercialization of a research-based cleantech innovation, or spearheading a new collaboration between research and industry.

2022 Nominees:

• Calcite by 8 Rivers
• Cotton Incorporated
• NALA Membranes
• NC State University Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
• Perotech Inc.
• PRTI Inc.
• RTI International Renewable Energy & Energy Storage Research Team
• Water Bros Desalination, LLC
• Windlift, Inc.

Cleantech Talent Development Award – Recognizes an organization or initiative that has made a significant contribution to developing talent, providing professional development, or fostering employment opportunities that support the cleantech industry in the region or state. Examples may include a corporate apprenticeship or internship program, a community college or university certificate in clean technologies, or K-12 curriculum or outreach program.

2022 Nominees:

• EPA-RTP’s Community Engagement & STEM Education Program – Cleantech Talent Development through STEM Education in the Energy & Transportation Sectors
• NC A&T University Center for Research & Technology – Successful Training & Effective Industry Partnerships for Growing Regional Opportunities in Workforce to Harness (STEPSs4GROWTH)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Cleantech Award – Recognizes an organization or initiative that has demonstrated a strong commitment to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive cleantech economy. Examples may include deployments that focus specifically on the equitable availability of cleantech solutions, initiatives that address existing inequalities through new cleantech investments, targeted efforts to help underrepresented groups explore cleantech career opportunities, or inclusion-focused mentoring or networking initiatives.
2022 Nominees:          

• City of Raleigh – Partnership Raleigh Intern Programs
• NC Sustainable Energy Association – Women in Clean Energy
• UNC Charlotte, City of Charlotte, & Duke Energy – PoleVolt

The following awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on November 9^th:

Cleantech Champion of the Year – Recognizes an individual who exemplifies a deep commitment to advancing the cleantech industry in the region or state. Achievements may include demonstrated dedication to sustainability, business expansion or relocation, development of high-impact technology, or spearheading regional/cross-sectoral collaboration to drive innovation.

Cleantech Entrepreneur Award – Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated innovation through the development of new technology or advancing existing technology that has the potential to disrupt traditional industries, create a cleaner planet, and improve the quality of life for people here in North Carolina or around the world.

Cleantech Impact: Economic Development – Recognizes a cleantech organization that has accelerated economic growth in the region or state. Examples may include a cleantech business that has relocated to the region or state, an organization that has made a significant impact through the application of clean technologies, or an organization that has enabled cleantech economic growth.

RTCC also recognizes the contributions of the 2022 Cleantech Innovation Awards’ sponsors, including the Platinum Sponsor, Hitachi Energy; Host Sponsor, SAS Institute; and Gold Sponsor, Trilliant. Additional sponsorships are available. Organizations interested in sponsoring this event can contact emmit@researchtrianglecleantech.org.

Registration is currently open to join the celebration on Wednesday, November 9^th from 4:30pm to 8:00pm at the SAS Institute in Cary, NC.