2011 Global Energy Prize now Accepting Nominations

NEW YORK, November 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Energy Prize is now accepting nominations for its $1 million 2011 award. The globally recognised prize, which has thus far been awarded to three prominent US scientists, rewards innovation and solutions in global energy research and its concurrent environmental challenges. The degree to which a development contributes to the benefit of humanity is a key driver in deciding the recipient of the prize. The prize has become increasingly important as governments, energy companies and consumers all seek to address existing and projected energy shortfalls.

"The present western standard of living requires the energy equivalent of three tonnes of petroleum per year," says Dr. Jose Goldemberg, professor at University of Sao Paulo and Global Energy Prize committee member.

Dr. Clement Bowman, scientist and 2008 Global Energy Prize winner, says, "Action on energy efficiency is in response to the need to curb carbon dioxide emissions. The future of energy innovation should center on two goals, first to dramatically lower carbon dioxide emissions, primarily using renewable energy sources, and second to create a more prosperous world, including for the billion and a half people who currently live in poverty."

Since its inception in 2002, the prize has quickly become one of the most respected awards in energy science, awarding new scientific breakthroughs and bringing international recognition to energy efficiency innovators.

Applications will be accepted through February 28th, 2011.

The Global Energy Prize has been granted to 22 scientists from around the globe, including past laureates from Great Britain, Iceland, Canada, Russia, the US, France, Germany and Japan. The President of the Russian Federation participates in each year's award's ceremony held at the conclusion of a week-long celebration of the awardees' work, Laureates' Week. Other world leaders who have supported the prize include the former US President George W. Bush, former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, former French President Jacques Chirac and current Canadian Prime Minister, Steven Harper.

The winners of the 2011 prize will be selected by an International Prize Award Committee, which includes internationally-based scientists and specialists, as well as representatives of international research organizations. The award will be given in St Petersburg, Russia in June.

Only the highest-rated scientists may nominate candidates: Nobel Prize Laureates for physics or chemistry, past Laureates of the Global Energy Prize, and Laureates of the Kyoto, Max Planck, and Wolf prizes.

Enquiries regarding nominations should be made by email to: [email protected]

Global Energy Prize International Prize Awards' Committee Members are now available for interviews, including:

Jose Goldemberg - professor of physical sciences at the University of Sao Paulo and sits on the board of Washington's Sustainable Energy Institute. In 2007 he was named by TIME magazine as one of 10 Heroes of the Environment for his pioneering work in discovering the biofuel potential in sugarcane, now a major source of energy in Brazil and the world.

Dr. Clement Bowman - founding chairman of the Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA), and pioneered Canada's oilsands extraction project. For his work in this field Dr Bowman was awarded a Global Energy Prize in 2008. He is also a former Chair of the Alberta Government's Technology and Research Advisory Committee and President of the Alberta Research Council.

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SOURCE Global Energy Prize