Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster
Cleantech Innovation Awards
![](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CIA-2022-Main-Graphic-w-Sponsors-1024x634.png)
Award Categories
Cleantech Champion
Recognizes an individual who exemplifies a deep commitment to advancing the cleantech industry in their local community, the Research Triangle region, or statewide. Achievements may include demonstrated dedication to cleantech innovation or adoption, 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 Research Innovation
Recognizes an individual or team 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.
Cleantech Talent Development
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 a K-12 curriculum or outreach program.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Cleantech
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.
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.
Cleantech Impact: Transportation
Recognizes a transportation or mobility project that uses innovative cleantech solutions to create positive impacts for the environment, economy, and residents.
Cleantech Impact: Water
Recognizes a water, wastewater, or stormwater project that applies cleantech solutions to create positive impacts for the environment, economy, and residents.
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.
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. *NOTE: Awarded at RTCC discretion and is not part of the public nomination and judging process.
![Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/RTCC-logo-4c.png)
Presenting Sponsor
![Hitachi Energy](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Hitachi-Energy-presenting-sponsor.png)
![Congratulations](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2021-CIA-Nominees-Finalists-badge.png)
Finalists are highlighted with a green box
Cleantech Research Innovation
![FREEDM Systems Center<br>Srdjan Lukic - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Freedm-300x150.png)
FREEDM Systems Center
Srdjan Lukic
![Vestaron Corporation<br>Vestaron Operations - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vestaron-300x150.png)
Vestaron Corporation
Vestaron Operations
![NC State University<br>NSF AERPAW Platform](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AERPAW-300x150.png)
NC State University
NSF AERPAW Platform
![Breezi.io, Inc.<br>Matt Craver](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/breezi-300x150.png)
Breezi.io, Inc.
Matt Craver
![CHASE<br>Gerald Meyer](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CHASE-300x150.png)
CHASE
Gerald Meyer
![Duke University<br>Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions / Energy Initiative Internet of Water](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Internet-of-water-300x150.png)
Duke University
Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions / Energy Initiative Internet of Water
![NALA Systems<br>Sue Mecham](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NALA-300x150.png)
NALA Systems
Sue Mecham
![NC State University Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering<br>Chris Vermillion](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NCSU-Mechanical-300x150.png)
NC State University Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Chris Vermillion
![374Water<br>Marc A. Deshusses](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/374water-300x150.png)
374Water
Marc A. Deshusses
Equity in Cleantech Award
![City of Charlotte<br>CATS Electric Bus Program - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CATS-300x150.png)
City of Charlotte
CATS Electric Bus Program
![Oak City Baptist<br>Church Solar Installation - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Oak-City-300x150.png)
Oak City Baptist
Church Solar Installation
![City of Raleigh<br>Community Climate Action Plan](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CIA-2022-Nominee-Logos-WEBSITE-300x150.png)
City of Raleigh
Community Climate Action Plan
![City of Asheville’s<br>Climate Justice Initiative](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/city-of-Ashville-300x150.png)
City of Asheville’s
Climate Justice Initiative
![The Climate Service](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/TCS-300x150.png)
The Climate Service
Diversity in Cleantech
![Women+ in Climate Tech (WiCT) - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Women-in-climate-tech-300x150.png)
Women+ in Climate Tech (WiCT)
![Center for Energy Education (C4EE) - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/C4ee-300x150.png)
Center for Energy Education (C4EE)
![EPA-RTP’s Community Engagement & STEM Education Program](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NCC-USEPA-300x150.png)
EPA-RTP’s Community Engagement & STEM Education Program
Cleantech Talent Development
![Partnership Raleigh<br>Community Climate Intern Program - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CIA-2022-Nominee-Logos-WEBSITE-300x150.png)
Partnership Raleigh
Community Climate Intern Program
![IE Cleantech Corner Initiative<br>UNC Institute for the Environment - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IE-Cleantech-300x150.png)
IE Cleantech Corner Initiative
UNC Institute for the Environment
![Duke University Energy Initiative and the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DUKE-Energy-Initiative-300x150.png)
Duke University Energy Initiative and the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project
![Power+ Graduate Rotational Program and Power+ Internship Program](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Hitachi-Energy-1-300x150.png)
Power+ Graduate Rotational Program and Power+ Internship Program
Cleantech Impact: Energy
![Ndustrial Lineage Logistic Energy Savings Initiatives - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ndustrial-300x150.png)
Ndustrial Lineage Logistic Energy Savings Initiatives
![PowerSecure’s Rich Square Market Microgrid - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/PowerSecure-300x150.png)
PowerSecure’s Rich Square Market Microgrid
![New River Light & Power<br>Green Power Program](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NRLP-300x150.png)
New River Light & Power
Green Power Program
![Eagle Solar & Light (ESL)<br>Benevolence Farm Solar Installation](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Eagle-Solar-300x150.png)
Eagle Solar & Light (ESL)
Benevolence Farm Solar Installation
![Duke Energy Deploys Decarbonization-As-A-Service With The Town of Cary](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Duke-Energy-300x150.png)
Duke Energy Deploys Decarbonization-As-A-Service With The Town of Cary
![City of Charlotte<br>Sustainable Facilities Policy](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/City-of-Charlotte-300x150.png)
City of Charlotte
Sustainable Facilities Policy
![Carteret Craven Electric Cooperative Customer-Owned Generation](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CCEC-300x150.png)
Carteret Craven Electric Cooperative Customer-Owned Generation
Cleantech Impact: Transportation
![City of Raleigh’s Pollution Remediation, Heat Island Reduction, and Pavement Preservation with TiO2 Enhanced Pavements - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CIA-2022-Nominee-Logos-WEBSITE-300x150.png)
City of Raleigh’s Pollution Remediation, Heat Island Reduction, and Pavement Preservation with TiO2 Enhanced Pavements
![Hitachi Energy Grid-eMotion Fleet Electrification - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Hitachi-Energy-1-300x150.png)
Hitachi Energy Grid-eMotion Fleet Electrification
![TransLoc’s OnDemand](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Transloc-300x150.png)
TransLoc’s OnDemand
![SAS PlaneView](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SAS-1-300x150.png)
SAS PlaneView
Cleantech Impact: Water
![374Water - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/374water-300x150.png)
374Water
![NALA Systems Reverse Osmosis Membranes - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NALA-300x150.png)
NALA Systems Reverse Osmosis Membranes
![Town of Cary’s Storm Water Project](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Town-of-cary-300x150.png)
Town of Cary’s Storm Water Project
Cleantech Impact: Local Government
![Town of Morrisville’s Smart Parks Project - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Morrisville-300x150.png)
Town of Morrisville’s Smart Parks Project
![City of Raleigh’s<br>Flood Early Warning System - Finalist](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CIA-2022-Nominee-Logos-WEBSITE-300x150.png)
City of Raleigh’s
Flood Early Warning System
![City of Sanford<br>Smart City Pilot](https://www.researchtrianglecleantech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/City-of-Sanford-300x150.png)
City of Sanford
Smart City Pilot
IMPORTANT DATES
AWARDS CEREMONY
November 9, 2022
SAS Institute
Cary, N.C.
SPONSORSHIPS
Learn more about becoming a Sponsor.
Contact Emmit Owens for more information.
PHOTO GALLERY
PAST WINNERS
PAST NOMINEES & FINALISTS
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©2022 RESEARCH TRIANGLE CLEANTECH CLUSTER
(919) 334-4076 | info@researchtrianglecleantech.org | Research Triangle, North Carolina