Top Three 2011 Utility Technology Challenge Winners Announced, Companies To Engage with Key Integration Partners

BOSTON, June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- From 15 semifinalists presenting technology solutions at the CTSI Utility Technology Challenge, Ideal Power Converters, Power Tagging and EcoFactor emerged as winners with the most promising utility-focused clean tech solutions.  The winners were selected by the program committee comprised of: Austin Energy, National Grid, Northeast Utilities and Lockheed Martin.

"The semifinalists this year were of exceptional quality, and our top three winners are outstanding," said Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries CEO and program facilitator Patricia Glaza. "They have solutions that meet immediate needs of our program committee and they are ready to demonstrate their technologies. We hope to see strong collaborations form as a result of this program."  

EcoFactor (www.ecofactor.com) is a SaaS-based residential energy management solution that works with any two-way communicating thermostat and broadband internet connection to develop a dynamic, hands-off residential heading and cooling strategy.

“The EcoFactor team is incredibly pleased about being named a winner of the Utility Technology Challenge,” said Eric Saltzman, EcoFactor COO. “It’s great to see that the utility industry is interested in offering its customers an energy management service that addresses both energy efficiency and demand response in a manner that keeps homeowners comfortable but still reduces the load on the grid.”

Ideal Power Converters (www.idealpowerconverters.com) is an electronic power converter topology or control methodology that uses commodity materials and components but can reduce the size and weight of products such as PV inverters by more than 90%.

"Ideal Power Converters is honored to be awarded as a winners of the Utility Technology Challenge," said Paul Bundschuh, vice president of business development at Ideal Power Converters, Paul Bundschuh.  "Many great companies with promising clean energy technologies participated in this contest, and we feel our greatest award comes from the business contacts we made here."

Power Tagging (www.powertagging.com) tags or fingerprints energy on the power grid as far upstream as the point of generation and as far downstream as the point of consumption using metadata.

"It is exciting that we have been selected by such a prestigious panel of judges who are experts in the utility industry," explained Power Tagging President and CEO, John LoPorto. "This recognition of our technology further validates our belief that the smart grid can deliver real benefits to our utility customers, in turn their customers, and drive a new level of clean technology for the future."

The Utility Technology Challenge is an annual program beginning in the autumn with a call for applicants with solution focus areas determined by a committee of utilities and technology integrators.  At the beginning of the following calendar year, committee members re view pre-vetted, qualified companies and determine semifinalists to present in June at TechConnect World Conference.  In 2012, CTSI will host the event in Santa Clara in 2012. While all semifinalists benefit from networking opportunities with the committee on-site, winners receive guaranteed one-on-one meetings beyond the end of the program. Those interested in the 2012 Challenge should contact Laura Benold ([email protected]) for more information.  

About CTSI:

The Clean Technology & Sustainable Industries Organization (CTSI), a 501c6 non-profit industry association, represents the organizations developing, commercializing, and implementing energy, water, and environmental technologies. Clean technologies offer much needed solutions to growing resource security and sustainability concerns and are critical to maintaining economic competitiveness. CTSI brings together global leaders for advocacy, community development, networking, and information sharing to help bring these needed technologies to market more rapidly. Visit www.ct-si.org for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Laura Benold
CTSI
[email protected]
(512) 800-9798

SOURCE CTSI