2010 Platts Global Energy Award Winners Reflect Industry's Commitment to Clean Energy Solutions
NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The energy industry's efforts to provide clean, sustainable solutions was a theme that characterized the winners of the 2010 Platts Global Energy Awards announced at the annual black-tie dinner in New York. Four companies took honors in categories directly related to energy sustainability, while many others won for their green-related strides and successes.
Canada's Alter NRG Corp. received the Green Energy Initiative of the Year award because of the innovative technologies developed by two of its subsidiaries, Westinghouse Plasma Corporation (WPC) and CleanEnergy, to help meet the world's growing demand for environmentally responsible energy solutions. WPC's plasma gasification technology converts low-value inputs such as waste and biomass into clean and renewable energy solutions like ethanol. CleanEnergy's residential and commercial heating and cooling harnesses energy from the earth, cutting fossil fuel use by up to 80 percent and reduces carbon emissions and operating costs. Awards judges said the global implementation of these technologies makes it clear that Alter NRG Corp. is making exemplary efforts to maintain the balance between energy and the environment.
Now in its 12th year, the Platts Global Energy Awards program honors outstanding achievement in the energy industry, recognizing corporate and individual accomplishments, innovation and entrepreneurship. This year, for the first time in the program's history, Platts bestowed two awards that recognize energy efficiency: one for energy suppliers and the other, for commercial end-users.
Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) snagged Energy Efficiency Program of the Year – Energy Supplier. The Maryland-based company went from having no energy efficiency programs to a diverse list of 10 in a year's time – all within budget and designed for long-term viability. It was clear to judges that BGE's innovative services to reduce wasteful energy use, such as Online Energy Calculator and replacing inefficient or end-of-life equipment, well serve residential, commercial and industrial users.
Energy Efficiency Program of the Year – Commercial End-User went to Tesco plc, a U.K.-based global retailer, for its leaner, greener status and for its energy-use reduction efforts. In its U.K. stores alone, Tesco cut energy consumption by 20 percent by teaming with EnergyICT, an Elster Group Company that provides energy management, Smart Grid and smart metering solutions. This major accomplishment propels Tesco toward one of its top green goals – becoming a zero-carbon business by 2050.
Highlighting its low-cost, high efficiency solar cells, the Platts Global Energy Awards judges selected Sunvia for the 2010 Commercial Technology of the Year award. The U.S. company, a start-up in 2008, manufactures solar cells that turn 18.2+ percent of available sunlight into energy. Particularly impressive to the judges was Sunvia's ability to turn innovative technological success into commercial success: more than $1 billion in orders by the start of manufacturing, with demand propelling it to sold-out status for 2011.
Aquamarine Power made waves by winning the Sustainable Technology Innovation of the Year award for its original "Oyster," a product which produces clean, sustainable electricity from ocean wave energy. The company, headquartered in Scotland, combined its innovative technology with a pioneering route-to-market strategy. Aquamarine power is clearly a leader in this renewable energy sector, producing one of the few wave energy technologies to go from the drawing board to full-scale power production, judges said.
Rising Star, an award that honors an upcoming young company for its accomplishments and potential, went to the Netherlands' Green Gas international, B.V. which was founded in 2005. In less than five years, Green Gas took from concept to profitable business focused on converting methane from coal mines and landfill gas into energy. The expansion of its project portfolio to 50 in nine countries and reducing its green house gas emissions by more than three million tons of CO2 equivalent annually was seen by judges as no easy feat.
In honor of their leadership and dedication to developing clean technologies, programs and innovations, the 12 companies that were chosen as finalists for both the Rising Star and Sustainable Technology Innovation awards all received an Platts Award of Excellence at an associated event, Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum held on December 1. The fourth annual Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum, entitled "Clean Energy: Fact or Fiction?" was keynoted by former Shell president John Hofmeister and included multiple roundtable discussions on the challenges of building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. The Forum was attended by industry leaders, economists and government officials and other executives.
For information on this and further details on the 2010 award winners, including the judges' rationale, please go to Platts Global Energy Awards website or visit the online media kit.
About Platts: Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy and commodities information. With a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. An independent provider, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping, and metals markets from 17 offices worldwide. Platts' real-time news, pricing, analytical services and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better business decisions. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies: Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a global information and education company providing knowledge, insights and analysis in the financial, education and business information sectors through leading brands including Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2009 were $5.95 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.
SOURCE Platts
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