Mohammed bin Zayed honours champions of future energy

Abu Dhabi - His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, presented the awards.

Nine Innovative thinkers and influencing companies in renewable energy and sustainability were honoured across five categories at the Zayed Future Energy Prize announced after the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week on Monday.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, presented the awards. Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed said the legacy of Founding Father Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has led the nation on a path to sustainable development and prosperity.
"Through this prize, which bears his name, the UAE empowers others to embark on that same path. Today, we celebrate the success of this vision through improved access to energy, technology and water, which in turn presents opportunities for better education, health and employment for women, children and those in need."
Shaikh Mohammed said:" These winning organisations, individuals and schools are giving with the impact, innovation, leadership and long-term vision that can overcome today's challenges and make the most of tomorrow's opportunities."
Iceland's former president and Chair of the Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury Olafur Ragnar Grimsson said: "Through the sustainable actions of its winners, the Zayed Future Energy Prize is a model example for how far the world has come in the last nine years.
It is extraordinary that, through the impact of each winner and the lives they continue to improve, we now see a growing strength in being able to deliver a sustainable future."
Schools that led the way
There were the winners in the Global High Schools category coming from five schools in Asia, Oceania, Europe, Americas and Africa.
Starehe Girls Centre from Kenya won from Africa region. "We have waste recollection programme, not just normal waste but e-waste. We take old batteries to make a battery bank to store our electrical power we have for our solar panels," Mikel Gutierrez, Grade XI student, said.
Bolivia's Unidad Educativa Sagrado Corazon 4 won from the Americas, Belvedere College in Ireland for Europe region and Huonville High School, Tasmania for the Oceania region.
And the winners are...
> The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Li Junfeng, director-general of China's National Centre of Climate Strategy Research, for his commitment to the adoption of renewable energy in China. In his 30-year career, Li has been instrumental in advancing the country's renewable energy policies, which have spurred record levels of clean energy investment in China.
In a video message Li 'thanked' everyone and hailed the conduct of such an event which promotes sustainability. Li's wife collected the award.
> General Electric (GE) won the Large Corporation Award for leadership in the wind and solar energy markets. GE's wind business alone has commissioned 41.3GW of total generating capacity and installed more than 30,000 wind turbines to date.
GE's vice chairman John Rice received the prize. "This award reflects the passion and dedication of the UAE's leadership to promote renewable energy and sustainable development. Winning the prize is a testament to our commitment to innovation."
> German smart home and commercial energy storage system manufacturer Sonnen won the prize in the Small and Medium Enterprise category for leadership in providing battery storage technology solutions.
"We trade energy among customers. Our virtual power station is something like a trading platform where people can buy affordable and clean energy," Managing director and CEO Christoph Ostermann said. Ostermann said the main focus is Europe. "We have planned Gulf region for 2018-19." 
> UK-based Practical Action, coming here for third year, won the Non-Profit Organisation category for its work in providing deprived communities with clean energy in Africa, Asia and Latin America. "We are a technology organisation and empower people's life. We have reached out to more than 500 community-projects around the world. We have pilot projects in Nepal and worked there for 25-30 years," chief executive Paul Smith Lomas said.

• Abu Dhabi