The Cleantech Open, the world’s largest clean-technology accelerator, has awarded PowWow Energy of Sunnyvale, California the Grand Prize “Cleanie” award for the Top Cleantech Entrepreneur of the year. PowWow Energy has developed technology that enables farmers and ranchers to quickly detect water leaks that can destroy an entire crop or cause thousands of dollars of damage. Two runners-up were also selected: HJ3 Composite Technologies and Bio-Adhesive Alliance.

The announcements were made in San Jose at the Cleantech Open Global Forum, the “Academy Awards of Cleantech,” which marked the grand finale of this year’s Cleantech Open Accelerator and the culmination of the 2013 Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition. San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who has played a key role in promoting the vibrant Silicon Valley cleantech industry and has been a vocal supporter of the Cleantech Open, kicked off the awards ceremony.

“Congratulations to the 2013 winners and finalists, which represent the best in early-stage cleantech innovation and viable solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges,” said Rex Northen, executive director of the Cleantech Open. “I would also like to express our huge appreciation of our sponsors, who make the Cleantech Open possible, and to thank the army of volunteers who power the world’s largest cleantech accelerator.”

Other category finalists included:

• Argriculture-Water-Waste — Polymer Green, which has developed the first available clean solution to process landfill waste plastic.
• Energy Generation —Helion Energy, which is dedicated to making practical and affordable fusion energy a reality.
• Green Building — Bio-Adhesive Alliance, which produces low-cost and durable adhesive from swine manure that can be utilized as a substitute to petroleum-based asphalt.
• Chemicals and Advanced Materials — HJ3 Composite Technologies, which manufactures, engineers, and installs advanced composite systems that have been used on over 10,000 successful applications worldwide.

The National Sustainability Award went to Garden Fresh Farms, which is building a nationwide network of investor-owned, inner-city indoor hydroponic farms. The runner-up in this category was Grannus, has developed the Eureaka Process, a disruptive innovation in the production of nitrogen fertilizer (urea).