Sep 2 2009
The Zayed Future Energy Prize, a global competition which recognises innovation, long-term vision and leadership in renewable energy and technologies, is currently open for nominations and submissions from Australia’s solar community.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize is open to any individual, company or non-governmental organization (NGO) that can demonstrate a tangible clean energy solution and is worth 2.2 million (USD) in total, with 1.5 million (USD) going to the winner and 350,000 (USD) each for up to two finalists.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Director General of Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: “Finding clean energy solutions to meet our growing energy needs is fundamental to preventing the effects of climate change and ensuring sustainable growth. However, such solutions will require an unconventional approach that bring into play not only technological innovation, but social growth and economic viability as well.”
Last year the Zayed Future Energy Prize attracted 204 nominations and 150 submissions from over 50 countries, including a substantial number from Australia.
This year, the closing date for submissions is 16 October 2009. Entries will be reviewed by the Zayed Future Energy Prize Selection Committee and Jury, and the prize will be awarded on 19 January 2010 during the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
The jury comprises a number of individuals who are experts and leaders in the areas of sustainability and renewable energy. It is chaired by Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, who is also Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and a Nobel Prize Laureate.
The winner of the 2009 Zayed Future Energy Prize was Dipal Chandra Barua, Managing Director of Grameen Shakti, an organisation that is introducing renewable energy solutions to rural communities in Bangladesh and has benefited 2 million people to date. Grameen Shakti was also recognised for training women in the rural areas of Bangladesh to be solar technicians and for supporting “green” entrepreneurs.
Mr. Barua used the prize money to establish the Zayed Future Energy Prize Scholarship in Bangladesh to teach rural women to establish their own small sustainable energy businesses.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said: “As in the case of Dipal Barua’s initiative, it is important that renewable energy solution can be scaled for wide-spread implementation. Zayed Future Energy Prize is particularly interested in recognising those ideas that have wide and affordable application in any community. The prize is not only about acknowledgement but promoting such ideas to the rest of the world.”
Zayed Future Energy Prize is supported by Masdar, a global cooperative platform based in Abu Dhabi, working for open engagement in the search for solutions to some of mankind's most pressing issues: energy security, climate change and the development of human expertise in sustainability.
The Prize was launched in 2008 and honours the memory and legacy of the founding father of United Arab Emirates, the late His Highness, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who championed environmental stewardship.