On January 18th, 2012 Masdar (Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.) announced five winners of the Masdar Future Energy Prize at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

The top prize was awarded to Schneider Electric SA (Rueil-Malmaison, France), the Carbon Disclosure Project (London, U.K.) and Dr. Ashok Gadgil. The two runner-ups in the SME and NGO category are Orb Energy Private Ltd. (Bangalore, India) and the Environmental Defense Fund (Washington D.C., U.S.).

"This award is a testimony to our commitment to sustainable development and reaffirms that we are moving in the right direction," stated Schneider Electric President and CEO Jean-Pascal Tricoire.

"We hope to continue leading the effort in resolving the global energy challenge with innovative and efficient solutions that curb energy waste, promote clean generation and influence consumption habits that respect and help resuscitate the environment."

Jurists include Masdar Chairman, MIT President

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the award to the winners. This is the fourth year of the prize.

Members of the jury panel of the Zayed Future Energy Prize include Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Masdar Chairman Ahmed Al Sayegh, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Dr. Susan Hockfield.

Schneider Electric merits include CSE initiative, voluntary carbon reporting

Among its many product lines, Schneider Electric producers inverters and other power electronics solutions for renewable energy generation including solar photovoltaic (PV) plants.

The company states that its work on clean technology projects transcends beyond its core business, and include the company's corporate social responsibility program BipBop, which aims to develop access to reliable, affordable and clean energy for poor regions with limited or no access to electricity.

Finally, Schneider Electric, while not subject to CO2 quotas, publicly reports its CO2 performance through the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Carbon Disclosure Project works on measuring and limiting carbon emissions

The Carbon Disclosure project states that it was awarded top prize in recognition of its work to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, drive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable water use by cities.

CPS states that it works closely with investors, businesses, cities and governments to provide a global system for organizations to measure, disclose, manage and share environmental information, as well as to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions.

As the winner of the Large Corporation prize, Schneider Electric received recognition but no cash award. The Carbon Disclosure Project was awarded USD 1.5 million, Orb Energy was awarded USD 1 million, and the Environmental Defense Fund and Dr. Ashok Gadgil were each awarded USD 500,000.

2012-01-22| Courtesy: Schneider Electric, Carbon Disclosure Project, Masdar | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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