The Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) has announced that it is now open for nominations for awards to honour innovators and leaders in the future of energy.

The call for nominations comes as the Zayed Future Energy Prize released the findings of a survey on the future of energy.

The survey, which polled attendees of the World Future Energy Summit, suggests that solar technology and energy efficient buildings are some of the challenges that most need innovation and further research and development and that governments and small businesses have the biggest role to play in advancing the adoption of solutions.

“There is no question that innovative engineering and dedicated research and development of promising technologies will bring us closer to realizing future energy solutions,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, director general of the ZFEP.

“The ZFEP is a distinctive honour that can bring many emerging solutions to light and help expand their adoption; the next generation of leaders must  take an active role in solving our global energy challenges,” he added.

Dr R K Pachauri, chairman of the intergovernmental panel on climate change and chairman of the jury for the ZFEP said: “Since a change in the mix of different sources of energy supply is essential and urgent, innovation in this field would be critical for bringing about a transition to a truly renewable energy future.

“Consequently, visionary efforts and innovations need to be recognised and rewarded adequately.  It is, therefore, with great honour that we open this year’s nominations, and we look forward to celebrating some of the great advancements being made across the world to ensure a sustainable energy future.”

The winner of the ZFEP will receive $1.5 million and will be chosen by a panel of jurors who are champions in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability.

The prize money will assist winners in expanding and scaling their innovations. In addition, Masdar, the supporting organisations of the ZFEP, will offer winners access to a wide network of resources.

Nominations will be ranked using the following criteria: 

• Innovation:  proof of cutting-edge concepts and solutions that solve today’s energy and sustainability challenges.
• Long-term vision:  demonstration of ability to scale through a commercially viable or sustainable business model.
• Leadership:  championing the vision in order to advance clean energy and sustainable solutions.

Nominations will be accepted online at zayedfutureenergyprize.com.

The winner of the 2009 award will be announced at an event on January 19, 2010 at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. – TradeArabia News Service