Prizes recognise innovation in energy efficiency and renewables

What do a smart micro grid on a remote Greek island, a biomass boiler in rural Slovakia, home energy saving kits in Ireland and district heating and cooling systems in 65 European cities have in common?

They are all winners, chosen by expert judges, of the EU Sustainable Energy Awards. The prizes were presented by Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete at a special ceremony on Tuesday, as part of EU Sustainable Energy Week.

Over 120 projects were entered into the competition, and three in each category (Energy Islands, Businesses, Consumers and Public Sector) were eventually selected as finalists. All 12 of these were innovative and worth celebrating, but during the ceremony the judges explained their reasons for their final decisions:

  • TILOS Project, which aims to transform the island of Tilos’ access to renewable energy, sends a very strong message that alternative, community-level schemes that foster energy storage are becoming a viable reality and a way to address energy security for islands.
  • SINBIO, which converts local straw, hay and woody material into renewable energy, shows that the energy transition is not a purely political or policy issue, but rather something much closer to citizens, inevitably changing the way we live and think for the better.
  • Home Energy Saving Kit, which helps householders save energy, stands out for its closeness to citizens and for its educational dimension. This initiative empowers consumers, and makes them feel part of the energy transition.
  • CELSIUS – Smart District Energy, which is developing energy-efficient district heating and cooling systems, brings together 65 municipalities in 15 EU countries. It engages small and large scale industries and unites academics and end-user groups.

Moreover, after a public online vote in which over 20,000 people participated, the TILOS Project also received the 2017 Citizens’ Award.

EU Sustainable Energy Week is in fact a month-long series of events that includes Energy Days happening in over 30 European countries. These promote local initiatives to save energy and use more renewables (and cover everything from a demonstration of solar cooking in Pesaro, Italy, to celebrating the opening of a wind park in Petersberg, Germany, and an ‘energy walk’ in Kitee, Finland). It culminated with a policy conference in Brussels this week, a forum for debate on sustainable energy policy and innovation.