Zayed Future Energy Prize, the world’s preeminent award for innovation in renewable energy and sustainability, has partnered with Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), the market intelligence leader in the energy sector, to support its outreach campaign in the United States.

Representatives from the US $4 million prize addressed innovators and leaders in the energy sector at the sixth annual BNEF Summit held in New York from 22 – 24 April, offering insight on the Prize and highlighting its impact on global communities.

The Prize also convened a panel discussion titled ‘From Innovation to Impact’ that was moderated by Michael Wilshire, Director of Analysis, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, on the sidelines of the summit. Panelists included Amy Davidsen, Executive Director, Climate Group; Donn Tice, CEO of d.light design from San Francisco, the 2013 prize winner in the SME category; Brad Pietras, Vice-President, Technology, Lockheed Martin; Lance Pierce, Chief Operating Officer, Ceres; and Dr Nawal Al Hosany, Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

“We are exerting a lot of effort into ensuring that the United States; the world’s second largest producer and consumer of electricity and one of the world’s leading hubs for companies in the renewable energy sector, from wind power to solar technologies, engages with the Prize. Year on year, we have received the largest number of submissions from the United States and we hope to continue to attract the great caliber of entries we have grown accustomed to,” said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

“At its core, the Prize honours a legacy left to us by our late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – who was committed to environmental causes and sustainability throughout his lifetime. Moreover, as mandated by our visionary leadership; the Prize holds multi-faceted objectives; it catalyzes and encourages impact, innovation, leadership and long term vision in renewable energy and sustainability, added Dr Al Jaber.

Represented by its Director, Dr Nawal Al Hosany, the Zayed Future Energy Prize engagement included a brief address to the summit attendees. Dr Al-Hosany explained the Prize’s mandate and objectives – emphasizing that the Prize is part of a larger initiative toward diversifying the energy mix by the Abu Dhabi government.

As part of the weeklong program in New York, the Prize also met with industry and government officials from the renewable energy sector. Since its inception in 2008, the Prize has awarded seven winners in the United States, including SMEs, NGOs and individuals.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize is open to applicants in the categories of large corporation, small and medium enterprise (SME), non-governmental organization (NGO), the individual lifetime achievement and high schools. Launched in 2008, the Prize has gained global recognition and built a strong reputation as the most influential award in the renewable energy and sustainability community.

As part of the outreach campaign to the cleantech industry in the United States, the Zayed Future Energy Prize will also participate in the upcoming Energy Efficiency Global Forum 2013, in Washington, DC, following a successful visit to San Francisco earlier this month to participate in the Cleantech Forum.

As part of its Review and Selection committees, and Jury, the Zayed Future Energy Prize boasts industry experts, academics, world and thought leaders. In five years, 21 innovators have been awarded from across the world.

Submissions for the sixth edition of the Prize opened on 4 March, 2013 and will close on 5 August, 2013. Winners will be announced at the Zayed Future Energy Prize awards ceremony scheduled for 20 January, 2014 as part of the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

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