Since its inception in 2008, the Zayed Future Energy Prize has honored recipients whose work toward a sustainable energy future has impacted the lives of millions of people throughout the world. Nominations and submissions for the US$1.5 million 2011 prize will be accepted through Oct. 8, and WEC participants are urged to participate by submitting nominations online at www.ZayedFutureEnergyPrize.com.

The number of nominations has increased significantly from the 204 entries for the inaugural 2009 prize to the current 633 nominations. That number is expected to rise to approximately 800 by the close of entries.

The broad scope of the prize, which aims to inspire the next generation of global energy innovators, has honored a diverse group of winners and runners-up. Earlier this year, Toyota Motor Corp. received the top award for its revolutionary technologies, which have set the global standard for fuel efficiency and innovation, specifically with regard to its Prius hybrid vehicle.

Among the 2010 runners-up, who received $350,000 each, was Zhengrong Shi, founder and chief executive officer of Suntech Power Holdings Co. Since January, Shi and Suntech have been actively engaged in promoting the growth and development of solar technology.

Suntech recently donated 53 independent, off-grid solar systems to farmers and schools in remote villages on the Tibetan plateau; 10 kW of solar panels to power the Sega Girls School in Morogoro, Tanzania; and a 10-kW solar system for a prototype zero-carbon house submitted in the 2010 Solar Decathlon Europe competition held in Spain.
The other runner-up was Amitabha Sadangi, CEO of International Development Enterprises India (IDEI). With his award money, Sadangi has started IDEI’s i2i (innovation to impact) research center. His organization is committed to providing long-term solutions to poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

In 2009, Dipal Chandra Barua, Founding Managing Director of Grameen Shakti, was honored with the Zayed Future Energy Prize for his efforts to bring renewable energy solutions to the rural population of Bangladesh. Currently, he is training rural women to be solar technicians and enabling green entrepreneurs through a highly successful microcredit program.

Professor Martin Green of the University of New South Wales in Australia used his 2009 runner-up award to support the establishment of a new laboratory at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics at the university.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize was created in honor of the legacy of the late ruler of Abu Dhabi and founding father of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Submissions are judged on three primary 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 their vision in order to advance clean energy and sustainable solutions.
The prize will be awarded at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi in January 2011.
For more information and submission guidelines, visit www.zayedfutureenergyprize.com