Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster
Cleantech Innovation Awards
About the Awards
The Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster created the annual Cleantech Innovation Awards to recognize cleantech initiatives, projects, and innovations from companies, organizations, and government agencies that have contributed to the growing cleantech ecosystem in North Carolina.
The awards celebrate a range of creative solutions from water technologies to renewables and new transportation models, among others. The awards will be judged by executives from the cleantech industry and public sectors. All award finalists will participate in an invitation-only reception to network with industry peers.
Award Categories
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 Research Innovation
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.
Equity in Cleantech Award
Recognizes an organization or initiative that has demonstrated a strong commitment to equity in the implementation of a cleantech project.
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.
Diversity in Cleantech
Recognizes an organization or initiative that has made significant contributions to ensuring the cleantech workforce reflects the people it serves.
Cleantech Impact: Economic Development
Recognizes a cleantech organization that has accelerated economic growth in the region or state.
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: Energy
Recognizes an energy project that applies cleantech 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.
Submit a Nomination
Nomination forms will be posted by September 1st. Sign up for the RTCC Newsletter to be sure you don't miss it.
Nominations are open to North Carolina individuals, companies, organizations, and government agencies in the cleantech space.
Nominations will be accepted from September 1st through October 7th. Finalist will be notified November 22. The virtual awards ceremony and RTCC annual meeting will be held in early December.

Presenting Sponsor


Finalists are highlighted with a green box
Cleantech Research Innovation
Presented By:

FREEDM Systems Center
Srdjan Lukic

Vestaron Corporation
Vestaron Operations

NC State University
NSF AERPAW Platform

Breezi.io, Inc.
Matt Craver

CHASE
Gerald Meyer

Duke University
Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions / Energy Initiative Internet of Water

NALA Systems
Sue Mecham

NC State University Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Chris Vermillion

374Water
Marc A. Deshusses
Equity in Cleantech Award

City of Charlotte
CATS Electric Bus Program

Oak City Baptist
Church Solar Installation

City of Raleigh
Community Climate Action Plan

City of Asheville’s
Climate Justice Initiative

The Climate Service
Cleantech Talent Development Award

Partnership Raleigh
Community Climate Intern Program

IE Cleantech Corner Initiative
UNC Institute for the Environment

Duke University Energy Initiative and the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project

Power+ Graduate Rotational Program and Power+ Internship Program
Diversity in Cleantech

Women+ in Climate Tech (WiCT)

Center for Energy Education (C4EE)

EPA-RTP’s Community Engagement & STEM Education Program
Cleantech Impact: Economic Development

Smart Wires
Cleantech Impact: Transportation
Presented By:

City of Raleigh’s Pollution Remediation, Heat Island Reduction, and Pavement Preservation with TiO2 Enhanced Pavements

Hitachi Energy Grid-eMotion Fleet Electrification

TransLoc’s OnDemand

SAS PlaneView
Cleantech Impact: Energy
Presented By:

Ndustrial Lineage Logistic Energy Savings Initiatives

PowerSecure’s Rich Square Market Microgrid

New River Light & Power
Green Power Program

Eagle Solar & Light (ESL)
Benevolence Farm Solar Installation

Duke Energy Deploys Decarbonization-As-A-Service With The Town of Cary

City of Charlotte
Sustainable Facilities Policy

Carteret Craven Electric Cooperative Customer-Owned Generation
Cleantech Impact: Water
Presented By:

374Water

NALA Systems Reverse Osmosis Membranes

Town of Cary’s Storm Water Project
Cleantech Impact: Local Government

Town of Morrisville’s Smart Parks Project

City of Raleigh’s
Flood Early Warning System

City of Sanford
Smart City Pilot
IMPORTANT DATES
CLEANTECH INNOVATION AWARDS NOMINATION APPLICATIONS ONLINE
August 2022
AWARDS CEREMONY
November 2022
SPONSORSHIPS
Download the PDF for sponsorship opportunities. Contact Emmit Owens for more information.
PHOTO GALLERY
See photos from the 2021 Cleantech Innovation Awards event.
PAST NOMINEES & FINALISTS
Stay connected with news, trends, events, and job opportunities from the North Carolina cleantech community.
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(919) 334-4076 | info@researchtrianglecleantech.org | Research Triangle, North Carolina