The evaluation process of the 2018 Zayed Future Energy Prize entries, the UAE’s international awards for renewable energy and sustainability, kick-started with a two-day meeting of the Review Committee in Abu Dhabi.
Comprising local and international experts from across the renewable energy and sustainability industry, the committee evaluated entries shortlisted following a two-month due diligence appraisal by the prize’s research and analysis partner, Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Submissions and nominations were assessed in accordance with the winning criteria of impact, innovation, leadership and the long-term vision of work done, or proposals of future projects shared.
Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, said: “Against the recent backdrop of devastating natural disasters across the world, there is a greater understanding than ever that we need to adopt sustainable solutions to global challenges. Renewable energy plays a critical role in addressing such challenges. Through its winners, the Zayed Future Energy Prize has played a vital role in driving innovation in commercially viable, accessible clean energy development that will be a part of the solution to the wider challenge of climate change.
“This is strongly evident in the entries we have evaluated over the course of the Review Committee meetings and are proud of the efforts of all applicants. The prize has already transformed the lives of millions of people throughout the world, and is a fitting legacy to Sheikh Zayed’s vision. There is no better way to usher in the Year of Zayed as we celebrate the Zayed Future Energy Prize’s 10th year of positively impacting the lives of people globally by providing them a better quality of life and enabling communities to flourish through access to renewable energy.”
The Chair of the Review Committee, Eng. Rashed Obaid Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director of the Minister of State Office commented: “During my time on the Review Committee, the Zayed Future Energy Prize has seen significant growth, with the number and calibre of entries never ceasing to impress. Although it is a welcome problem to have, it has been increasingly difficult to streamline our selections because so many merit progressing to the next stage.”
The 10th cycle of the Zayed Future Energy Prize sees a record of 2,296 entries – a 37 percent increase compared to 2016. Nominations for the Large Corporation and Lifetime Achievement categories yielded 1,113 entries, while the remaining 1,183 submissions were for Small & Medium Enterprise, Non-Profit Organisation, and Global High Schools categories.
The Review Committee is chaired by Eng. Al Dhaheri and vice-chaired by Dr. Rashed Khalifa Al Shaali, Asst. Professor – Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Architecture, United Arab Emirates University and also includes Mohamed Al Bader, Principal, Mubadala Capital; Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, General Manager, Shams Power Company PJSC; Roberto De Diego Arozamena, Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Latif Jameel Energy; Linden Coppell, Head of Environment, Etihad Airways; Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis, Associate Professor, Engineering Systems and Management, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology); Zachary Shahan, Director, Clean Technica; Dr. Noura Youssef Mansouri, Senior Research Associate, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC); Salvatore Vinci, Deputy Head, Policy Unit, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); and Dr. Ahmad Alozn, Chief Specialist – Claims, Road Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai.
The evaluation process will see shortlisted entries from the Review Committee progressing to be evaluated by the Selection Committee and The Jury in October. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place 13 January 2018 at Abu Dhabi Sustainability week.