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In search of the best in global innovative ideas

Launched with the aim of inspiring the next generation of global energy innovators to create future energy solutions, the Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) is waiting its next big name.

  • By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 22:37 June 20, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Nobel Peace Prize winner Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, wants society to use in large-scale the innovative solutions that are recognised by the Zayed prize.
  • Image Credit: Reuters

Abu Dhabi Launched with the aim of inspiring the next generation of global energy innovators to create future energy solutions, the Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) is waiting its next big name.

The top prize, worth $1.5 million (Dh5.5 million), is up for grabs for finders of innovative energy solutions from across the globe. The award, named after Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is now in its second edition and opened for nominations recently.

The prize will go to individuals, companies, governments, organisations and NGOs that have made significant contributions in the global response to the future of energy, and climate change in areas such as - renewable and sustainable energy sources, efficient use of non-renewable energies, conservation, energy polity, communications and public awareness. Two finalists will also receive $350,000 each to further their ideas and efforts.

The eminent jury of ZFEP is chaired by Dr R.K. Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

Gulf News caught up with Dr Pachauri at the sidelines of an environment awareness event.

Gulf News: What are the objectives of ZFEP?

Dr R.K. Pachauri: The objectives are many fold. Firstly, you recognise those who have done outstanding work in creating solutions for the future challenges that we are going to face in energy.

Secondly you need to send out a powerful message to those who are nurturing a theme to do something strong&something worthwhile in this area. If they see someone who has done outstanding work being recognised then clearly it will serve as an incentive and inspiration for those who are harbouring those dreams. I think that is another important purpose.

And last but certainly not the least, through the creation of these solutions and by recognising them, we ensure that these solutions are going to be used in a large scale and actually help to solve the problems that we are facing now. So there is a tangible benefit by seeing these solutions being implemented.

Could you tell us about the judging process?

Judging happens in two stages. We have a committee that essentially shortlists the entries before it comes to the jury. The jury then decides which one is the best of the lot by assessing the quality of work, its relevance, the way it has been carried out and so on.

Three factors form the selection criteria. Innovation (the presentation 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) and leadership (championing the vision in order to advance clean energy and sustainable solutions).

What makes ZFEP stand out from other awards?

Most significantly, it is the initiative of an oil producing country that is looking at future energy and not at what has been the history of energy use in the world. It uncovers outstanding work done in different parts of the world in the energy field. The very fact that it is focused on energy makes it stand out. I don't know of any other award, certainly not of this scale and calibre that is doing so.

What are the entries to the ZFEP?

This year's submissions have just opened. We got a large number of entries last time, but there was a huge variation in the quality of entries. Some were excellent& people who have done very useful work and so the choice wasn't easy. In the end we came to a consensus on who should get the award.

Nominated individuals and self-nominated candidates are invited to submit their credential for consideration on the website: www.zayedfutureenergyprize.com.

Will recession change the way environmental issues are looked at?

Understandably the immediate task is the fire fighting. People want to revive the economy and create maximum jobs. But already there are enough indications to show that worldwide policy makers and leaders are assessing the fundamentals of what has gone wrong.

One of the fundamental issues has been that development has been accompanied with huge increase in green house gases and emissions causing climate change.

My expectation is that we will see great deal of soul searching and correcting these issues. In this perspective, I feel the economic downturn was positive because if things never went wrong we would never think of these mistakes.

What effect would climate change have on the Arab region?

The impact on this region will be serious.

There will be problems of water availability, sea level rise, coastal erosion, heat waves, extreme precipitation events etc. Therefore there is a global problem and this region has to be part of the solution.

Facts: About the prize

ZFEP was launched in 2008 to honour the legacy of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

At the World Future Energy Summit in January 2009, Dipal Chandra Barua, Founding Managing Director of Grameen Shakti became the first ZFEP winner for his visionary efforts to bring renewable energy solutions to the rural population of Bangladesh.

Barua's organisation, Grameen Shakti (GS), has installed more than 200,000 solar PV systems that currently provide power for more than two million rural people. Under his leadership, GS has developed a number of other innovative initiatives, including a biogas technology that converts cow and poultry waste into gas for cooking, lighting and fertilizer. GS has installed more than 6,000 biogas plants and plans to construct 500,000 more by 2012. In addition, GS has trained rural women to be solar technicians through a highly successful micro-credit programme.

The jury

The jury selecting the winners includes some of the world's leading experts in the field. The full jury includes: Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Chairman of the Jury for ZFEP Olafur Grimsson, President of Iceland Khalid Irani, Environment Minister of Jordan Ahmad Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Lord John Browne, Managing Director, Riverstone Holdings Lord Norman Foster, Founder and Chairman, Foster + Partners Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation on Economic Trends.

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