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29 March 2024

40 shortlisted for Zayed Future Energy Prize

Published
By WAM

The Zayed Future Energy Prize, on Monday announced the top 40 entries to compete for the 2011 prize.

The prize is the most prestigious and internationally recognised award for innovation, performance and leadership in sustainable and renewable energy projects. Entries from 13 nations have been selected for their contribution to sustainable and renewable energy solutions.

The submissions go through a rigorous and transparent evaluation process, starting with 391 entries this year. Every entry went through a thorough due-diligence conducted by a reputed external research and analysis firm, from which the top 100 entries were shortlisted.

These 100 submissions were evaluated by the review committee shortlisting the best 40, from which the selection committee will determine the top six to be presented to the jury as finalists.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize awards ceremony takes place during the World Future Energy Summit. On January 18 in Abu Dhabi, the winner will be announced who will receive $1.5 million. In addition, two runners-up will receive $350,000 each for outstanding work in the field of renewable and sustainable energy.

The total $2.2m Zayed Future Energy Prize, now in its third year, is inspired by the vision and environmental stewardship of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates.

The top 40 entries include 18 from the United States, four from the UK, four from India, three from the Netherlands, two from Belgium, two from China and one entry each from Benin, Hong Kong, Brazil, Japan, Denmark, Sweden and Croatia.

Dr Sgouris Sgouridis, Chairperson of the Review Committee, said: "Selecting the top 40 entries was very challenging yet rewarding, as the number, calibre and impact of the entries were impressive. Although the top 40 are all strong candidates, ultimately the prize will be awarded to the one who has made the greatest contribution to innovation, long-term vision and leadership in renewable energy and sustainability."

Shortlisted entries came from a variety of organisations, NGOs, businesses and individuals who are committed to green energy technologies. The scope of work of the prize entries include solar installations, solar-wind hybrid systems, wind turbine businesses, biofuel generation, energy storage, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicle charging technologies, low energy water treatments, storm resistant and eco homes.

The rigorous and transparent judging and evaluations process is based on three main criteria: long-term vision, innovation and leadership. The Zayed Future Energy Prize expert jury will determine the winner and two runner-ups by unanimous decision.

The 2011 jury is led by Dr RK Pachauri, the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Jury members are Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of the Republic of Iceland; Khaled Irani, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jordan; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman Masdar; Lord John Browne, Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings; Lord Norman Foster, Founder and Chairman, Foster and Partners; and Dr. Susan Hockfield, President, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology.