Nominations open for Zayed Future Energy Prize

The Zayed Future Energy Prize, the world's pre-eminent award for innovation and development of solutions for renewable and sustainable energy, has announced that nominations are now open for the 2012 global competition. Nomination forms and registration are available at www.ZayedFutureEnergyPrize.com. In the SME/NGO ((Small and medium enterprises and non-government organisations) and large corporation categories, companies may self-nominate. However, in the Lifetime Achievement category, candidates must be nominated by a third party. Nominations will be accepted through August 22. Winners will be recognised on January 17, 2012 at the awards ceremony to be held in Abu Dhabi. "By honouring the development of new technologies, and their market adoption, our goal is to play a unique role in advancing energy security and sustainability around the world," said Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize. Submissions will be judged on four main criteria: Impact, Long-Term Vision, Leadership, and Innovation in the following categories: SMEs and NGOs will be awarded three prizes: $1.5 million (Dh5.51 million) to the overall winner; $1 million (Dh3.67 million) to the first runner-up; and $500,000 (Dh1.835 million) 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 its own role in this future. The Lifetime Achievement prize of $500,000 will honour an individual for an outstanding record of achievement from academic, political, technological, business or other fields in renewable energy and sustainability. A fourth category will be introduced in 2012 an International High School Education Competition with a prize purse of $500,000 to be first awarded in 2013. From / Gulf News