Global Energy Prize

The Global Energy Association has operated since 2002 with the support of PJSC “Gazprom”, “FGS UES”, PJSC, PJSC “Surgutneftegas”.

·        PJSC “Gazprom” is a global energy company focused on geological exploration, production, transportation, storage, processing and marketing of gas (including as a vehicle fuel), gas condensate and oil, as well as electricity and heat production and distribution.

·        “FGC UES”, PJSC is a natural monopoly in the matters of provision of services involving transmission of electric energy via the UNEG and is responsible for reliable power supply to consumers in the Russian Federation.

·        PJSC «Surgutneftegas» is one of the largest vertically integrated oil companies in Russia bringing together the research-design, exploration, drilling, production units, oil and gas processing and marketing enterprises.

The Board of Trustees of the Association is responsible for the general management of the nomination process and awarding of the Prize in accordance with the Statute of the Prize.[1] Members of the Board of Trustees of the Association may not participate in the Prize nomination process. The Board of Trustees of the Association shall be entitled to verify and analyze the work presented and the recommendations for the lists of nominees.

1)         Nomination "Traditional Energy"

•           electric power engineering;

•           exploration, extraction, transportation and processing of fuel and power resources;

•           heat power engineering;

•           nuclear power engineering.

2)         Nomination "Non-traditional Energy"

•           renewable energy sources;

•           bioenergy;

•           fuel cells and hydrogen energy.

3)         Nomination “New ways of energy application”

•           new materials used in power engineering;

•           energy efficiency;

•           efficient power storage;

•           energy transportation.

*Nomination submissions for the “Management in the energy sector” category are accepted in any of three mentioned nominations.

The history of the Global Energy Prize began in October 2002 when the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin announced the establishment of this Prize at the Russia – European Union Summit. The Global Energy Foundation was established to arrange the Global Energy Prize by three major Russian Energy companies: PJSC Gazprom, PJCS Federal Grid Company of the Unified Energy Systems (FGC UES, Former JSC Unified Energy Systems of Russia) and Yukos. In 2005, oil and gas company PJSC Surgutneftegaz joined the group of funding companies. Afterwards, the Foundation was renamed as the Global Energy Non-profit Partnership and furthermore the name of the organization was changed to Global Energy Association on development of international research and projects in the field of energy.

The first Global Energy Prize award ceremony took place in June 2003 at the Konstantinovsky Palace, Strelna (St Petersburg district, Russia) and was attended by President Vladimir Putin. The award was presented to three scientists: Mr Nick Holonyak (USA), Chair Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics at the University of Illinois, for his contribution to the development of power silicon electronics and the invention of the first semi-conducting light-emitting diodes, Mr Ian Douglas Smith (USA), Chief Manager and Senior Researcher in ‘Titan Pulse Sciences Division’, for his fundamental research and development in the field of powerful pulse energy, and a Russian scientist Mr Gennady Mesyats, then-Chairman of the State Commission for Academic Degrees and Titles of the Russian Federation, for his fundamental research and development in the field of powerful pulse energy.

2018

Sergey Alexeenko (RUS) - For research and development in the field of thermal power engineering and heat transfer systems, enhancing resource potential of mankind.

Martin Green (Australia) - For research, development and educational activities in the field of photovoltaics that have revolutionized the efficiency and costs of solar photovoltaics, making this now the lowest cost option for bulk electricity supply.

2017

Michael Grätzel (Switzerland) - For transcendent merits in the development of low cost and efficient solar cells, known as “Graetzel cells”, aimed at the creation of cost-efficient, large-scale engineering solutions for power generation.

2016

Valentin Parmon (RUS) - For a breakthrough development of new catalysts in the area of petroleum refining and renewable sources of energy as a principal contribution into the energy of the future.

2015

Shuji Nakamura (USA) - For the invention, commercialization and development of energy-efficient white LED lighting technology.

B. Jayant Baliga (USA) - For invention, development and commercialization of the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor, which is one of the most important innovations for the control and distribution of energy.

2014

Lars Gunnar Larsson (SWE) - Awarded for an outstanding contribution to nuclear safety enhancement and nuclear facility decommissioning.

Ashot Sarkisov (RUS) - Awarded for an outstanding contribution to nuclear safety enhancement and nuclear facility decommissioning.

2013

Akira Yoshino (JAP) - Awarded for the invention of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, an essential element for mobile electronic devices and various types of electric vehicles, including hybrids. Akira is also credited with the concept, development, and commercialization of storage battery systems based on his invention.

Vladimir Fortov (RUS) - Awarded for research into thermodynamic, thermophysical, electrophysical, strength, optical, structural and electronic properties of fluids and construction materials in the previously unexplored field of the phase diagram. This includes extreme states of matter, which serves as the basis for perspective development of the energy sector.

2012

Valery Kostuk (RUS) – Awarded for research and development in the field of high-efficiency liquid propellant rocket engines with cryogenic fuel for the purpose of the generation of energy in space.

Boris Katorgin (RUS) – Awarded for research and development in the field of high-efficiency liquid propellant rocket engines with cryogenic fuel for the purpose of the generation of energy in space.

Rodney John Allam (UK) – Awarded for the development of new processes and equipment for production of gases and cryogenic liquids, as well as for the development and implementation of technology for production of electricity in power systems.

2011

Philipp Rutberg (RUS) – Awarded for fundamental research and development of energy plasma technologies.

Arthur Rosenfeld (USA) – Awarded in recognition of his pioneering work in the field of energy efficiency.

2010

Boris Paton (UKR) – Awarded for his contribution to solving scientific and technical problems associated with the transportation of energy resources by pipeline.

Alexander Leontiev (RUS) – Awarded for fundamental research in the field of the intensification of heat transfer in power plants.

2009

Brian Spalding (UK) – Awarded for numerous original concepts of heat-and-mass transfer processes, which formed the basis of practical calculations in fluid mechanics and computational fluid mechanics.

Alexey Kontorovich (RUS) – Awarded for research on the implementation of new methods of surveying, prospecting and exploiting of hydrocarbon-bearing deposits.

Nikolai Laverov (RUS) – Awarded for fundamental research and large-scale implementation of new methods for the exploration and production of oil, gas and uranium deposits.

2008

Eduard Volkov (RUS) – Awarded for the creation and implementation of synthetic oil production technologies.

Clement Bowman (CA) and Oleg Favorsky (RUS) – Awarded for the theoretical justification, creation and implementation of efficient technologies for synthetic fuel production from bituminous schist and oil sands.

2007

Thorsteinn Ingi Sigfusson (IS) – Awarded for research and development in the implementation of hydrogen to power vehicles.

Geoffrey Hewitt (UK) – Awarded for developing the idea of fuel generation on the basis of water power.

Vladimir Nakoryakov (RUS) - Awarded for the project "Physicotechnical Bases of Power Technologies — Hydrodinamics and Heat Exchange, Non-Stationary and Wave Processes in Multiphase Mediums".

2006

Evgeny Velikhov (RUS), Masaji Yoshikawa (JP) and Robert Aymar (FR) – Awarded for the development of a scientific and technical basis for the creation of the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER Project).

2005

Zhores Alferov (RUS) – Awarded for his contribution to the creation of semi-conductor energy converters for use in solar and electrical energy.

Klaus Riedle (DE) – Awarded for the development and creation of high-temperature gas turbines for steam and gas power plants.

2004

Fyodor Mitenkov (RUS) – Awarded for development of fast-neutron reactors.

Leonard J. Koch (USA) and Alexander Sheindlin (RUS) – Awarded for fundamental research into the thermo physical properties of substances at extremely high temperatures.

2003

Nick Holonyak (USA) – Awarded for his contribution to the development of power silicon electronics and the invention of the first semi-conducting light-emitting diodes in a visible part of the spectrum.

Gennady Mesyats (RUS) and Ian Douglas Smith (USA) – Awarded for fundamental research and development in the field of pulse power engineering.

The International Award Committee is responsible for choosing the laureates of the Global Energy Prize. This Committee, selected by the General Assembly of the Global Energy Association for a term of 4 years, includes representatives of the most reputable scientific and academic organizations (such as MIT Energy Initiative, Russian Academy of Science, IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency, CERN), as well as governmental and public figures from Russia and abroad. The Committee is managed by a Chairperson. As of today Prof. Emeritus Rae Kwon Chung, UN Secretary-General's High-level Expert and Leaders Panel (HELP) on water and disasters, Adviser to the Chair, member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, is elected Chairman of the Committee. The Committee consists of 20 members from 14 countries, including the Chairperson.

The nomination process of the Global Energy Prize from nominating candidates to awarding laureates is exceptionally open and transparent. Therefore, the Global Energy Prize is considered one of the most respected and honorable awards in the world in the field of energy. Thus, the International Congress of Distinguished Awards (ICDA) recognized the Global Energy Prize as a mega-award for transparent nomination process, independent expertise and impartial jury. Self-nomination for the prize is not acceptable. The right to nominate candidates for the prize is given to well-known and respected scientists of the world.

The list of persons entitled to nominate for the Global Energy Prize includes the following scientists:

•           the Global Energy Prize laureates, laureates of the Nobel Prize, winners of the prizes of Kyoto, Max Planck, Wolf, Balzan, and Zayed Prizes, Energy Globe, Goldman Environment, UNEP Sasakawa Prize;

•           members of the Russian Academy of Sciences and of foreign academies of sciences;

•           members of the national (regional) prize support committees, who are not part of the International Award Committee;

•           scientists and/or organizations through their representatives, specially invited by the Association to be part of the nomination pool.

The Global Energy Prize is presented to laureates at an official award ceremony that takes place in Russia. In 2018, the ceremony was held at the Russian Energy Week International Forum. The laureate is recognized for his or her contribution to global energy research at a ceremony attended by Russian government officials, leading scientists, directors of national and international scientific and public organizations, members of the Association's Board of Trustees, the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee and Association members.

The statuette received by a Global Energy Prize laureate is made of gold. The statuette conceptualizes scientific contributions to the field of energy: the image on the front side of the medal is that of a rising star, symbolizing discovery, whereas the back shows a star already risen, portraying the laureate's recognized contribution to global energy research. Each Global Energy Prize laureate is awarded a diploma recognizing their contribution to the field of energy. An honorary pin is provided to the Global Energy Prize laureates to reflect their scientific achievement. The Global Energy Prize laureate are awarded a monetary prize. The total prize fund (which is 39 million RUB (about 530.000 euros as of 2019) is split equally among the laureates.

The first Global Energy Prize Summit was held in Moscow in the year of the tenth anniversary of the Global Energy Prize, the discussion topic was The 21st Century Global Energy Trends.

In 2013, the Summit was held in Belgium, in Brussels, at the European Parliament. The discussion topic was The Perspectives of the EU-Russian Cooperation on Energy Security and Climate Change.

In 2014, the Global Energy Prize Summit was held in one of the most innovative states of the Asian-Pacific Region – Singapore. Participants discussed Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development. Moreover, they discussed the prospects for renewable energy, Russian experience in reducing the energy intensity of production and even cold nuclear fusion.

In 2015, the summit took place in Italy, in one of the most reputable technology universities of the world – Polytechnic University of Milan. The theme of the event was: The Most Visionary Innovations of the 21st Century in the Energy Field. The report on the future energy sources was prepared on the basis of the Summit's results.

In 2016, the Summit returned to its country of birth, to Moscow, and became the key event of the Fifth International Forum on Energy Efficiency and Energy Development ENES 2016. The Global Energy Prize laureates and the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee members were discussing the essential topic:  Stress Scenario of the World Energy Development. Forecasting the industry future.

In 2017, for the first time in its six-year history, the Summit was held in a new format: at once in two countries. The theme of the summit was: Three E: Economics, Ecology and Energy Synthesis Formation as a health factor of the Earth. The Three E's concept is a modern reflection of the sustainability theory, it establishes a connection between economy growth, ecology and energy safety. The first day of the Global Energy Summit with the subheading New Energy Sources took place on September 18, 2017, in Lyon, France, at the Euronews headquarters. It was broadcast live at the Euronews website,[2] so that people in 166 countries of the world could see it. It is meaningful that for the first time in its history Euronews opened its doors for such an event and broadcast it. The second day of the Summit with the subheading The Hydrocarbon Époque – Opportunities for New Technology Development was held on October 4, 2017, in Moscow under the auspices of the International Forum on Energy Efficiency and Energy Development, Russian Energy Week. The live broadcast of the Summit was conducted on the website of the TV channel Russia Today.

In 2018 the VII Global Energy Prize Summit was held in Turin [3] (Italy) at Energy Centre-Politecnico di Torino. World-leading scientists, politicians and industry experts from 8 countries discussed the most pressing energy and climate challenges. The theme of the summit 2018 was: “Modelisation and simulation of energy mix in the future digital world”.

• EcoGeneration Australia, US and Russian scientists awarded Global Energy Prize June, 2011
• EnergyAsia, President Medvedev awards Global Energy Prize 2011, June 2011
• PRNewswire, Global Energy Prize Summit Aims at Revolutionising Energy Thinking, October 2012