Just how “smart” is the Research Triangle region when it comes to so-called smart energy technology?

The Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster, an organization created to promote and help grow the region’s renewable, “smart” energy and other cleantech industries, has hired RTI International to find out.

The group also has hired The Stone Agency and Liaison Design Group to create a branding campaign and elected officers.

RTI, one of the recently formed group’s charter corporate members, will conduct a study of the area’s “smart” assets.

The study will focus on smart grid, smart water and smart transportation.

RTI is tasked to “identify what companies, institutions, and research and development capacity exist in the region, analyze market barriers and opportunities, and determine what specific actions RTCC can take to accelerate the growth of the cleantech economy.”

“The Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster got its start from market intelligence that showed this region’s strength in the energy sector, especially smart grid,” said Allen Burchett, a senior vice president with ABB, another charter member. “This research project will take a deeper dive into the region’s clean technology sector, building on what we already know about our unique opportunity to invent, manufacture and sell smart energy, smart water and smart transportation technologies to the world.”

New Officers

The group elected a chairman, vice chairman and secretary/treasurer for two-year terms:

  • Chairman Ed White, chairman and CEO of Field2Base, an enterprise-level software company with solutions for mobile data capture and delivery and forms automation. 
  • Vice Chairman Mark A. Ascolese, executive chairman of Power Analytics Corp., which provides software solutions for electrical system planning, operation and smart grid use in energy-intensive, mission-critical facilities and microgrids.
  • Secretary/Treasurer Tim Fairchild, director of SAS’s global utilities practice. SAS is a global leader in advanced analytics software organizations use for fact-based decision making and business transformation.

Group’s Background

The Research Triangle Regional Partnership organized the cluster organization. 

Charter corporate members include:

  • ABB
  • Duke Energy
  • Field2Base
  • Power Analytics
  • PowerSecure International
  • RTI International
  • SAS
  • Schneider Electric
  • Sensus
  • Siemens