Total prize fund increased to $4 million

ZAYED Future Energy Prize, the  pre-eminent award for innovation and development of solutions for renewable and sustainable energy, has announced expanded categories for the 2012 competition and an increased prize purse of $4m with submissions now open online until September 19.

“The Zayed Future Energy Prize is the largest energy prize of its kind to reward ground-breaking solutions to the impending threats of climate change and energy security,” said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, director general of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. “By honouring global innovators who are solving our greatest energy challenges, we aspire to educate and inspire future leaders and innovators, while ensuring clean, sustainable energy for future generations.

“For the 2012 competition, we have substantially increased the prize purse and expanded the opportunities for global participation to further inspire the most creative minds worldwide and to bring to the market their brilliant ideas in the fields of energy efficiency and sustainability.”

To increase the size and breadth of the prize, organisers conducted independent surveys that led to changes in the 2012 competition, specifically increasing the total prize fund from $2.2m to $4m, adding three new awards in the SME/NGO category, initiating a new recognition prize for large corporations and developing a new international education competition for high schools, reflecting a major focus on education.

Submissions will be judged on four main criteria: impact, long-term vision, leadership and innovation and, in each specific category, on the following criteria:

• SMEs and NGOs will be awarded three prizes: $1.5m to the overall winner, $1m to the first runner-up and $500,000 to the second runner-up, for making a clear impact in the field, either through disseminating a particular solution or through furthering knowledge, awareness, policy development or technology.

• Large corporations will receive a special recognition award for a clear vision for the long-term future of energy and a coherent, sustainable strategy for their own role in this future.

• The Lifetime Achievement prize of $500,000 will honour an individual for an outstanding record of achievement in academic, political, technological, business or other fields in renewable energy and sustainability.

Nominations for the 2012 Prize will be accepted until August 22 and submissions to September 19. Winners will be announced January 17, 2012, in an award ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize honours the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the United Arab Emirates, who championed environmental stewardship as an integral part of UAE history and heritage. Now in its fourth year, this annual award celebrates achievements that reflect innovation, long-term vision and leadership in renewable energy and sustainability.