The Inaugural Energy Innovation Awards Launched

The search is on to find the UK’s most innovative energy products and services.

The Inaugural Energy Innovation Awards – the brainchild of the world-class Energy Innovation Centre, are officially open for entries and organisers are calling on the UK’s £106 billion low carbon environmental goods and services (LCEGS) market to take part.

Tackling rising energy demand is a global issue and the UK Government has set a target to generate 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. The low carbon environmental goods and services (LCEGS) market is a growing and important sector, already employing 881,000 in the UK.

These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across the UK flying the flag for energy innovation and sustainability. In addition, there is an international category welcoming entrants from anywhere in the world.

The Energy Innovation Centre, which fosters innovation and provides a gateway to accelerate cutting-edge products and technologies to market, today announced the eight categories.

The categories are:
• Rising Star Award
• University Spin-Out of the Year
• New Energy Generation
• Existing Performance Improvement
• Consumer Benefit Award
• Best Service Provider       
• Best International Trade Award
• Energy Innovation Grand Prix

Denise Massey, director of the Energy Innovation Centre, said: “We are so excited to launch these awards. Rising energy demands and ambitious decarbonising targets present colossal challenges for the energy industry here in the UK and internationally. These awards recognise and showcase the pioneering work taking place across the country and beyond to develop the next generation of energy products and technologies.”

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: “I am delighted that England’s Northwest is continuing with its tradition for innovation with the launch of these awards. As a major contributor to the UK’s energy supply the region is home to over 160 renewable energy businesses - our strong energy and environmental credentials speak for themselves. By transforming ideas into commercial products for the energy industry, the region is at the forefront of new technologies, while these awards will demonstrate this expertise.”

The Energy Innovation Awards will be held at The Hilton Deansgate Manchester on Thursday June 17th 2010, where the winners will be announced. Closing date for entries is April 12th 2010.

Manchester-based company Out There Events is supporting the Energy Innovation Centre in staging the awards.

Entry forms, sponsorship opportunities and more detail about the awards dinner can be found at www.energyinnovationcentre.com

For a copy of the full press release please click here.