World Journey of Two Young Russians to Research Global Energy Trends Draws to an End

MOSCOW, September 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Two young Russians discover various solutions to world's energy challenges during a two month journey around the World.  

Egor Goloshov and Maria Khromova, two young Russian winners of the Energy of Adventure competition, end their journey today after visiting 13 countries to observe and discover the various energy solutions that are being employed around the world to deal with today's energy challenges. The trip, which started 6 August in Berlin and ended today in Beijing, was organised as a part of the Energy of Adventure project launched by non-profit partnership Global Energy.

Throughout their journey the young scientists met prominent energy specialists including Mr. George Schultz, United States Secretary of State, Mr. Hussain Sultan Al Junaid, the CEO of Petrogas, H.E. Mr. Andrey V. Tsyganov, Russian Ambassador to Iceland, H.E. Wladimir M. Grinin, Russian Ambassador to Germany, Mr. Gocha Buachidze, Consul General of the Russian Federation in the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Thorsteinn Ingi Sigfusson, Director of the Innovation Center in Iceland and a Global Energy Prize Laureate, and many others. The two young scientists discussed a host of issues from energy efficiency to nuclear power that policymakers and energy companies are examining as means to address the world's energy challenges.

"This trip made us realise how many great ideas aimed at solving current world energy problems are there. We saw amazing examples of innovative energy solutions and energy efficiency solutions, which help make energy cheaper and countries more self-sufficient" said Mr. Goloshov.

The two scientists visited several energy companies, research institutes and power plants to learn about the potential of new advances in nuclear power generation, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

In Germany, Ms. Khromova and Mr. Goloshov visited the premises of Vattenfall electric power plant and in France they learned about the processes of nuclear power plants turbine production. While discovering the potential of oil, natural gas and nuclear power, the two young Russians also received in-depth assessments about the latest in renewable energy technologies in Norway and Iceland, where they visited Hellisheidi Power Station and a waste recycling plant, respectively.

At the Institute of Concentrated Photovoltaic, based in Milan, Ms. Khromova and Mr. Goloshov learned about the CPV technologies. While at the Solar Energy Institute in Milan, they discovered the potential of silicon solar modules.

During a visit to the US based Solaris Corporation Mr. Goloshov and Ms. Khromova saw how PV solar modules and systems for large and utility scale tracking applications are contributing to making the price of solar energy more competitive. They also learned about challenges related to renewable electricity generation and storage.

According to the International Energy Agency, solar energy was the fastest growing renewable power technology worldwide last year, with cumulative installed capacity growing from 1.5 GW in 2000 to 65 GW at the end of 2011. Italy and Germany constituted more than half of the global cumulative capacity last year, followed by such countries as Japan, Spain, the US and China. The IEA predicts that under extreme assumption, solar power could provide up to one-third of world's final energy demand after 2060.

In San Francisco, the scientists observed the benefits of innovation and energy efficiency while stopping at the Tesla, an electric vehicle showroom in Silicon Valley; they also visited the headquarters of outdoor retailer, the North Face, a company that has been a leader in using energy efficient solutions to produce clothes and accessories for sport and tourism.

While visiting Dubai, they learned about energy efficient building technologies used in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to prevent cool air from escaping.

During the meeting with Hussain Sultan Al Junaid, the CEO of Petrogas, Mr. Goloshov and Ms. Khromova discussed the potential of renewable energy sources in UAE.  "We cannot allow such a heavy reliance on hydrocarbons. We have enough oil for 100 more years. On the other hand, the needs are growing much faster than oil production. But we need a lot of time before we start using renewable energy sources," said Al Junaid during the meeting with the scientists.

For further details about the tour being undertaken by Ms. Khromova and Mr. Goloshov or about the Energy of Adventure project, please contact Oksana Shesternina, Account Manager at Fleishman-Hillard Vanguard, at [email protected].

You can follow the entire journey of Mr. Goloshov and Ms. Khromova's on Twitter [http://www.twitter.com/energyadventure] and Facebook [http://www.fb.com/energyofadventure].

About the Global Energy Prize

The Global Energy Prize awards over US$1m  each year, and thus far has been granted to 27 scientists from around the globe, including past Laureates from the US, Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Russia, Ukraine and Japan. The President of the Russian Federation participates in each year's award 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 Prize 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.

http://www.globalenergyprize.org/en/

http://twitter.com/#!/ge_prize

SOURCE Fleishman-Hillard SA