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RALEIGH – Finalists 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 of the regional and statewide cleantech economy. The awards are judged by leaders and executives from the cleantech sector.
The winners in each category will be announced at an in-person event that includes the announcement of award winners, four guest speakers, and a networking reception on Wednesday, November 9th from 4:30 to 8:00pm at the SAS Institute in Cary, NC. Registration is now open for the event.
“The Cleantech Innovation Awards recognize and celebrate remarkable individuals and projects that are advancing cleantech innovations and deployments. Our finalists represent a fantastic group of honorees helping to move us toward a more sustainable and healthy future in our state and beyond,” said Dr. Deb Wojcik, Executive Director of RTCC. “We congratulate all finalists for their important contributions and look forward to presenting these awards, hearing from our guest speakers, and connecting with members of the North Carolina cleantech community at the awards ceremony.”
The finalists 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 Finalists:
- FlexGen – North Carolina Electric Cooperative Deployment
- Ndustrial – Statesville Blast Freezing Optimization
- SAS Institute – Grid Guardian AI
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 Finalists:
- Lexington City Schools – Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract
- Solarize the Triangle
- 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 Finalists:
- City of Raleigh – GoGreen with Cleantech
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians & Cherokee Boys Club – Native Electric
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 Finalists:
- Chatham Park & Preston Development – Chatham Park Water Recovery Center
- Duke University Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, & Sustainability – Internet of 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 Finalists:
- NALA Membranes
- NC State University Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
- RTI International Renewable Energy & Energy Storage Research Team
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 Finalists:
- 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 Finalists
- 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 three individual awards will be presented at the awards ceremony on November 9th:
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.
