Co-ops Recognized for Clean Energy Innovation

Eagle Chase, a new residential microgrid, is powered by Wake Electric.

Wake Forest-based Wake Electric received the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster’s 2020 Cleantech Community Award for its work on Eagle Chase, a new residential microgrid in Youngsville that provides added power resilience and reliability for neighborhood residents.

“We are excited to be able to offer a residential community its own microgrid, and provide a resiliency like no other subdivision in the state,” said Wake Electric Vice President of Engineering and Operations Don Bowman. “Through this project, 31 homes are going to have over 36 hours of backup power for both reliability and a local resource when the grid is constrained with capacity.”

Three additional electric co-ops were nominated for awards, which recognize and honor those driving cleantech innovation and deployment.

• Brunswick Electric was nominated for a Grid Innovation Award for Heron’s Nest, a residential microgrid it has developed in Shallotte that supports sustainability, resiliency and reliability for the neighborhood’s 30-plus homes.
• Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative was nominated for a Cleantech Community Award for its customer‑owned generation program, which provides reserve power generation that can be called on to avoid grid interruptions and blackouts.
• Roanoke Electric Cooperative was nominated for a Grid Innovation Award for its Upgrade to $ave and community solar programs, both of which help members benefit from energy efficiency and sustainability efforts.

Learn more about the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster and the Cleantech Innovation Awards at researchtrianglecleantech.org.

Mike Burnette, senior vice president and COO for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, has been named 2020 Cleantech Champion of the Year. The award recognizes an individual who exemplifies commitment to supporting the cleantech industry.

Co-op Leader Named ‘Cleantech Champion of the Year’

Mike Burnette, senior vice president and COO for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, has been named 2020 Cleantech Champion of the Year. The award recognizes an individual who exemplifies commitment to supporting the cleantech industry.

“Of all my responsibilities, I have derived the most satisfaction from working with [North Carolina’s electric cooperatives] to innovate clean energy projects that create positive impacts for the environment and their local economies,” Burnette said. “The reward of improving the quality of life for our members and their communities is without measure.”