Individuals and companies flying the flag for energy innovation and sustainability were honoured at the Inaugural Energy Innovation Awards held in Manchester last night.
The awards, organisred by Cheshire-based Energy Innovation Centre, attracted entries from across the UK and Europe. And the event was supported by organisations including the Northwest Regional Development Agency, European Regional Development Fund, Department for Energy and Climate Change, EA Technology Group, EA Technology Ventures, Energy Networks Association, Electricity North West, Envirolink Northwest, IET, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Energy and UKTI.
Merseyside firm E-Energy Enterprise won the ‘New Energy Generation Award’ for its ‘E-Engine’, which allows low temperature waste heat to be used to generate electricity in many thousands of industrial processes. The company also won the ‘Energy Innovation Grand Prix Award‘, given to the company judges believed to have shown the greatest overall innovation.
Greater Manchester company Arago Technology, a joint venture between the University of Manchester and EPL Composite Solutions, collected the ‘Existing Performance Improvement Award’ for development of an enabling technology to up-rate the operating voltage (e.g. from 275 to 400kV) of existing infrastructure without the need to replace the pylon towers.
‘Best International Trade Award’ went to FMC-Tech Ltd, of County Clare, Ireland, whose real-time network monitoring equipment is a fundamental component of the Smart Grid schemes. And a Commendation in this category was handed to Bosnia and Herzegovina firm Turbina IPD, for its vibration-free vertical axis wind turbine, which can operate in variable wind directions.
Advances in technology
“These awards not only recognise the marvellous advancements in technology being developed behind the scenes, but also the sheer tenacity of individuals and teams investing their all in creating new solutions and technologies," said Denise Massey, Director of the Energy Innovation Centre. "Success happens after most people have given up and we’ve shared our evening with some truly remarkable individuals.
"We hope that these awards inspire further innovation within the industry here in the UK and internationally, and we look forward to building upon the success of our inaugural awards in the years to come.”
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said: “The Energy Innovation Awards are testament to the hard work taking place across the region as we work towards the goal of a low carbon Northwest. I’m pleased to support these awards and reward companies for their investment into energy-efficient technologies."
