In August, for the 2nd Month in a Row, Solar Surpasses Wind & Takes the Lead Among Renewable Sources of Electrical Generation as Utility-Scale Solar Expands by 35%.

Motion Industries, Inc., a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, has promoted Eric Gonzalez to Senior Vice President of Mexico, Canada, Industry Segments and Business Development, effective immediately.

Throughout his 26-year career at Motion, Mr. Gonzalez has excelled in numerous roles. He began as a Corporate Trainee and has held positions as an Outside Sales Representative, Branch Manager, Fluid Power Specialist, Automation Specialist, various Corporate Accounts roles and Field Leadership. Most recently, he served as Group Vice President for the Southwest Group and Mexico.

In his new role, Mr. Gonzalez will lead Motion’s businesses in Mexico and Canada while establishing new North American teams focused on Industry Segments and Business Development.

“Eric’s energy and sales leadership are exceptional,” said James Howe, President of Motion. “I am confident he will elevate Motion’s sales growth, and it will be exciting to see the new team synergies he orchestrates and influences.”

Mr. Gonzalez has a bachelor’s degree in biology from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo.

Motion Industries | https://www.motion.com/

The winners of the 2024 Cleantech Innovation Awards, including outstanding cleantech projects, innovations, organizations, and individuals, were recognized at an awards ceremony held on November 13^th at the SAS Institute in Cary. Winners were honored 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. 

This year’s Platinum Sponsor was Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader advancing a sustainable energy future for all by making the world's energy system more flexible, secure, and sustainable. Gold sponsors included Duke Energy and Ndustrial; Silver sponsors were The Town of Cary, Trilliant, and Windlift; and the Host Sponsor was the SAS Institute, a global leader in AI and analytics software.

“I’m impressed and inspired by the incredible people and work that our Cleantech Innovation Awards celebrate,” said Dr. Deb Wojcik, Executive Director of the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster. “It is an honor to recognize the many teams, companies, start-ups, academic institutions, and government agencies represented among our nominees, finalists, and winners. They are all making important contributions to the successful growth and leadership of the cleantech sector in North Carolina and beyond.”

The winners for each of the 2024 award categories are listed below:

Cleantech Champion of the Year – Cleantech Champion of the Year – Recognizes an individual who exemplifies a deep commitment to advancing the cleantech industry in their local community, the Research Triangle region, or statewide. 
Tim Fairchild

Tim Fairchild, a seasoned veteran in the energy and supply chain industries, is a dedicated champion of cleantech innovation. With a career spanning more than 40 years, including significant roles at SAS and IBM, Tim now mentors the next generation of cleantech leaders at the NCSU Supply Chain Resource Cooperative. His passion for the field is evident in his active involvement with organizations like RTCC, where he was a founding Board Member and served for nine years, and UNC Charlotte’s EPIC. His dedication to both his work and his fellow humans makes him an inspiring role model and a true force for positive change.

Cleantech Entrepreneurship 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.

DG Matrix
DG Matrix is redefining the EV charging, microgrid, and AI datacenter markets with revolutionary power electronics technology. The company’s core Power Router technology unlocks seamless integration of multiple energy sources and loads simultaneously with a single power-electronics unit that offers unparalleled versatility, efficiency, and size advantages.

Cleantech Research Innovation Award – Recognizes an individual or team from industry or within an institution of higher learning that is pursuing a research-based solution to a pressing cleantech challenge.

Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Wiley, Duke University Chemistry Department

Dr. Benjamin Wiley’s work is focused on the reduction of industrial carbon emissions through the production of green hydrogen by splitting water with renewable electricity. More specifically, his research is centered around increasing the productivity of electrolyzers used in green hydrogen. Dr. Wiley’s research shows that innovative electrode and electrolyzer designs can boost hydrogen production 50-fold. This breakthrough cuts production costs, making green hydrogen a more viable solution for large-scale industrial decarbonization. 

Cleantech Impact: Economic Development – Recognizes a cleantech organization that has accelerated economic growth in the region or state.
Natron Energy
Natron Energy, Inc., is the only commercial manufacturer of sodium-ion batteries in the U.S. In 2024, Natron announced it will invest $1.4 billion to establish a sodium-ion battery giga-factory at the Kingsboro CSX Select Megasite in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The project will create more than 1,000 jobs with an annual payroll impact near $77 million. This transformative project is a huge win for eastern North Carolina and will yield dividends for years to come. 

Cleantech Impact: Energy – Recognizes an energy project that applies cleantech to create positive impacts for the environment, economy, and residents.
United Therapeutics Corporation – Project Lightyear|
United Therapeutics’ 55,000 gross square feet, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) cold storage warehouse and distribution center located in RTP serves as a model for corporate sustainability. The fully electric, fossil-fuel free site includes onsite solar, geothermal wells, and battery backup among other features.  

Cleantech Impact: Local Government – Recognizes a local government or governments that have 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. 

City of Charlotte – Sustainable Facilities Policy Revision – Beneficial Electrification
The City of Charlotte’s Sustainable Facilities Policy Revision – Beneficial Electrification, builds on the elements of the 2021 policy with a focus on the way the City constructs new buildings, completes major renovations, and operates and maintains city buildings. The most notable update is in building decarbonization, now requires all new buildings be powered exclusively by electricity, which means no direct combustion of carbon-emitting fuels. 

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

Town of Carrboro – 2024 Street Resurfacing Project 
In 2024, the Town of Carrboro shifted towards an annual pavement management strategy rather than a traditional pavement overlay program. This shift allowed staff to consider the deployment of Pavement Technology’s PlusTi solution, which helps extend pavement life while also providing the environmental benefits of smog reduction and urban heat island mitigation.

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

ProcessWerx – FOG2Fuel
The ProcessWerx fats, oils and grease recovery and wastewater project was designed for and provided to WM for its FOG2Fuel Program. The project exemplifies a state-of-art cleantech solution by delivering real-world environmental, economic, and community impacts. The FOG2Fuel system can handle up to 60,000 gallons of FOG wastewater per day. This solution not only generates biofuel but also delivers treated wastewater suitable for sewer disposal. 

Diversity in Cleantech Award – Recognizes an organization or initiative that has made significant contributions to ensuring the cleantech workforce reflects the people it serves, pursues organizational approaches that are inclusive of a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, or actively supports employees’ sense of belonging within the organization.

C4EE – Center for Energy Education
The Center for Energy Education, or C4EE, is a renewable energy education and workforce development nonprofit based in Roanoke Rapids that serves rural counties in northeast North Carolina. C4EE’s primary focus is educating the region about clean energy with goals of providing sustainable employment and environmental sustainability. Working side-by-side with a range of stakeholders—academic, business, industry, workforce associations, elected officials, and nonprofits—C4EE shapes its initiatives through conversations and commitment, fitting the needs of rural, underserved communities while accommodating the challenges of populations which are historically marginalized. C4EE’s programs are driving a clean energy future sustained by equitable participation in clean energy jobs. 

Equity in Cleantech Award – Recognizes an organization or initiative that has demonstrated a strong commitment to equity in the implementation of a cleantech project.

Maureen Joy Charter School, Durham, NC – Maureen Joy Charter School Bus Electrification

Maureen Joy Charter School in Durham, NC, is one of the nation's first schools to launch a full fleet of electric buses, overcoming unique challenges in a historic district with the support of partners like Carolina Thomas, Utilities Partners of America, and Duke Energy. This pioneering initiative, which spanned more than two years, has not only provided an environmentally sustainable transportation solution but also emphasized their commitment to health equity for their predominantly minority student body. 

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.

North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) – NC Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Sectoral Partnership
NCBCE leveraged a grant from the Siemens Foundation to develop and support the workforce in the EV charging sector. The NCBCE-led EV Sectoral Partnership brought together stakeholders and developed the groundbreaking EVSE Field Technician training course providing hands-on experience with EV charging equipment. The pilot program launched at Wake Tech in June preparing students for the SAE EVSE exam. A Train-the-Trainer course and supporting materials are being developed to scale the program across community colleges, alongside a new 100-hour foundational course that covers electrical, manufacturing, and renewable energy concepts.  

RTCC also recognizes the contributions of the 2024 Cleantech Innovation Awards’ sponsors, including the Platinum Sponsor, Hitachi Energy; Gold Sponsors Duke Energy and Ndustrial; and Silver Sponsors Town of Cary, Trilliant, and Windlift. The Host Sponsor was the SAS Institute.  

Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster | www.researchtrianglecleantech.org

The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), a leading bipartisan coalition of state energy organizations working together to advance clean energy, is pleased to announce that Vero Bourg-Meyer has been named Deputy Director, effective November 1, 2024. 

“We are thrilled to promote Vero Bourg-Meyer to Deputy Director,” said CESA Executive Director Warren Leon. “In her time at CESA, Vero has become a nationally recognized expert in state solar policy and has made an immense contribution not only to our organization but to clean energy efforts nationwide. It is a pivotal time for state energy programs, and Vero’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable.”

As a Senior Project Director at CESA, Vero has played a major role in the expansion of state, federal, and philanthropic efforts to bring the benefits of solar energy to low-income households and disadvantaged communities. Vero has led CESA’s Scaling Up Solar project, including Solar for All efforts under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Through publications, convenings, and technical assistance, she facilitates and supports a bipartisan national network of states and nonprofits to design and launch low-income solar programs. She collaborates with national labs and federal agencies to advance solar initiatives, including most recently the U.S. Department of Energy’s Equitable Solar Community of Practice on Household Savings. Since joining CESA in 2022, she has also led CESA’s Offshore Wind Accelerator, a wide-ranging initiative that includes work on offshore wind and equity, an American/European learning exchange, and the recently launched Offshore Wind Power Hub.  

Read her impressive biography here.  

In her role as Deputy Director, Bourg-Meyer will work closely with CESA’s Executive Director and Board of Directors to advance the organization’s mission to help states implement successful energy programs. She will also assist with operations, strategic development, and continue to foster relationships with state clean energy leaders, stakeholders, and partners. 

“I am excited to take on this new role to continue supporting state leadership in clean energy,” said Vero Bourg Meyer. “Every day I talk with state clean energy leaders from across the country, and I am continually impressed by state innovation and their deep commitment to public service and the public good.” 

Clean Energy States Alliance | www.cesa.org

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) added three new manufacturing companies to its membership and celebrated electroindustry achievements with the presentation of awards at the 2024 NEMA Annual Meeting.

NEMA’s new Manufacturing member companies are:

• Armstrong World Industries
• Gavan Graham 
• Socomec 

“Our membership is NEMA’s greatest strength. NEMA members are at the forefront of powering modern living, innovating clean energy solutions and building a more connected future. As we head into the new year and work with a new Administration, our new and current members are working alongside our organization to expand on these goals to spur job creation, economic growth, and the future of electrical manufacturing in America. I am pleased to welcome our new members and celebrate the accomplishments of our industry leaders,” said NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips.

NEMA also highlighted individuals and companies for their leadership and contributions to the electroindustry.

The following awards were presented during the 2024 NEMA Annual Meeting:

• The Bernard H. Falk Award recognizes lifetime achievement in technology, management, marketing, international trade, education, public affairs, and other fields important to advancing electrical manufacturing:
  • Annette Clayton, former Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Schneider Electric North America 
• The Emerging Leader Award recognizes an individual with less than 10 years of experience in the industry who has distinguished himself or herself through impactful work in their company and with NEMA:
  • Allison Maginot, Senior Director of Corporate Government Affairs & Sustainability, Regal Rexnord Corporation
• The Illumination Award for Business Innovation is presented to a NEMA small or medium-sized Member company that has demonstrated success through entrepreneurial growth, application of advanced technology, or pioneering innovation:
  • Tom Lawton, President & Owner, TESCO Metering
• The Kite and Key Award recognizes individuals who have advanced the interests of the electrical industry through active and sustained involvement in the affairs of NEMA:
  • Harold Jepsen, Vice President of Standards and Industry Relations, Legrand, North America

NEMA | www.nema.org

Leonid Capital Partners, a leader in flexible, non-dilutive financing for critical sectors, announced a $10 million debt investment in Ion Storage Systems, Inc. (“ION”), an innovator in advanced solid-state battery technologies. This funding aims to accelerate ION’s mission to deliver a safer, more efficient energy solution through their groundbreaking solid-state battery technology.

ION is transforming energy storage with its patented bi-layer ceramic electrolyte that addresses key safety and performance issues inherent to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Unlike traditional designs, ION’s technology eliminates flammability risks, reduces the need for extensive cooling systems, and provides industry-leading energy density attributes. These capabilities make ION’s technology particularly valuable for defense, aerospace, and other high-demand applications where reliability is essential.

“We are thrilled to partner with ION as they redefine the standards of energy safety and efficiency,” said Chris Lay, Co-founder and CEO of Leonid Capital Partners. “Their innovative technology aligns with Leonid’s commitment to supporting solutions that advance sustainability, reliability, and operational excellence across critical sectors.”

ION’s unique, anode-free design not only enhances safety but also optimizes durability. The company’s compression-free, scalable battery technology further supports cost-effective production, making it a leading candidate for industries where high-performance energy storage is critical.

“Our partnership with Leonid Capital Partners strengthens our ability to execute our technical and commercial roadmaps and deliver ION’s technology to the market,” said Dr. Gregory Hitz, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer of ION. 

Ion Storage Systems continues to expand its market reach with scalable solid-state solutions that are compatible with current and next generation cathode technologies, positioning the company as an innovation leader in the evolution of sustainable energy.

Leonid Capital Partners | leonidfinance.io

Ion Storage Systems | https://ionstoragesystems.com/

Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: TYGO) ("Tigo"), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, announced a significant legal victory in defense of its core intellectual property. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has rejected SMA Solar Technology AG's challenge to Tigo U.S. Patent No. 9,584,021, which covers an innovative power-supply design for module-level power electronics (MLPE) technology that addresses false-start problems when solar systems are powering up.

This latest USPTO ruling follows others that have served to solidify the portfolio of intellectual property Tigo has developed through investment in research and development. The decision also marks a further win in a series of disputes with SMA, in which Tigo has successfully defended patents integral to its MLPE technology, including U.S. Patent Nos. 9,966,848 and 10,333,405. These three patents are part of Tigo's ongoing patent-infringement dispute with SMA in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

"Our successes in defending Tigo patented technology affirm the strength of our intellectual property portfolio and reinforce our position as a leader in solar innovation," said Zvi Alon, chief executive officer of Tigo Energy. "Our MLPE designs enable high-reliability solutions that address critical performance challenges and enable powerful features for solar installers. We remain committed to driving advancements in solar safety and efficiency and to protecting the investments Tigo makes in innovation."

Tigo products, patents, and licensees related to rapid shutdown systems are listed on the Tigo Virtual Patent Marking for Rapid Shutdown Devices webpage. Tigo offers technology licenses to patent claims upheld by the USPTO on fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory terms. For more information about the Tigo Flex MLPE solutions portfolio, please visit the website.

Tigo Energy | www.tigoenergy.com

Eversource (NYSE: ES) has been awarded the “New York Project of the Year” from the Engineering News-Record (ENR) for its leading efforts building the onshore infrastructure for the South Fork Wind project, the first commercial scale offshore wind project in the United States.

This award underscores Eversource’s instrumental role and experience in building new onshore transmission systems that are playing a critical part in helping deliver clean, renewable energy to local communities in the Northeast. Eversource’s work on South Fork Wind focused on installing the underground duct bank system and construction of the onshore substation located in East Hampton, New York.

“We are incredibly proud to have played a key role in leading the onshore development of South Fork Wind, a truly historic project that has set the benchmark for how offshore wind projects should be built in the United States,” said Eversource President of Transmission and Offshore Wind Projects Bill Quinlan. “This achievement reflects the expertise our team brings to the table and the invaluable contribution of New York union labor, whose skills and shared vision for a clean energy future were critical to the success of this project.”

Construction of the project began onshore in early 2022, with the first phase of the work starting at the substation, followed shortly after at the interconnection point on Beach Lane in East Hampton. Eversource selected Long Island-based contractor Haugland Energy Group LLC to help install the underground duct bank onshore transmission line and to build the onshore interconnection facility located in East Hampton. This partnership created more than 100 union jobs for Long Island’s skilled trades workers. Additional companies that provided onshore support included LS Cable, Hawkeye, TRC, Hitachi, and Burns & McDonnell.

South Fork Wind was also a catalyst in launching the U.S. offshore wind industry, bringing together workers and expertise from across the country. In Texas, over 350 workers constructed the nation’s first offshore wind substation, the first American-made subsea cable was fabricated in South Carolina, and shipbuilders in New Orleans delivered the country’s first offshore wind service operation vessel. In addition, workers at the New London State Pier in Connecticut staged and assembled turbine components and workers mobilized at ProvPort in Rhode Island to construct advanced foundation components.

In May 2023, Eversource completed the onshore scope of work and later in the year the first turbine began to spin and delivered power to the grid through the newly built onshore transmission system. The project consists of 12–11MW turbines and is delivering enough clean, renewable energy to power to approximately 70,000 homes in East Hampton.

ENR awarded 29 projects in 16 main categories to New York Projects. Eversource won the Best Project in the Energy/Industrial category and was a finalist for Project of the Year award with two other projects. For more information about the ENR 2024 Project of the Year award, visit www.enr.com.

Eversource | eversource.com