Zayed Future Energy Prize ceremony honors energy innovation

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently held its eighth annual international awards ceremony to honor innovators in renewable energy.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize honored nine innovators. Norway's Prime Minister Gro Bruntland won the Lifetime Achievement Award; Chinese electric car maker BYD won in the large corporation category; Off.Grid.Electric won in the small and medium enterprise category; and technology distributor Kopernik won in the nonprofit category. The prize committee also presented its Global High Schools awards to five schools from around the world -- one each from Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania.

Collectively, the award winners are responsible for sustainable projects that have affected 202 million people around the world.

"This has been another outstanding year for the Zayed Future Energy Prize," Ólafur Grímsson, president of Iceland and chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury, said. "This is made all the more impressive because of the sheer length and breadth of those that apply to be part of this global community: those whose innovations are shaping their community today right through to those young people who are the next generation of leaders, innovators and individuals willing to make a difference to the world around them." 

Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Mohammed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attended the event, along with seven other national leaders.

Next year's competition is currently accepting entries at www.zayedfutureenergyprize.com.