SPIEF 2017: Novak presents Global Energy prize
A ceremony was held to award the Global Energy International Energy Prize at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 2.
The 2017 Global Energy prize was awarded to Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne Professor and world renowned scientist Michael Graetzel. The award was presented by Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak.
“Michael Graetzel is one of the world’s most well-known scientists who has already made a tangible contribution to the development of world energy. The developments of Professor Graetzel are a good example of how to create effective new technologies that are in demand around the whole world. I want to wish the 2017 prize recipient new ideas and successes in his work to benefit humanity”, Novak said in his speech.
Michael Graetzel is rightfully considered one of the leaders in solar energy development. The solar cells he developed, which were named in his honour, are the only photovoltaic devices in the world that properly simulate the process of plant photosynthesis and work on an organic dye. One of the main advantages of Michael Graetzel’s invention is the efficiency of energy storage regardless of the angle of the sun. Such panels can be fed even from refracted or reflected light. They are able to operate at different frequency ranges of the light flux, including infrared. Another advantage of the invention is the simplicity of the device and the fact it is produced from inexpensive materials. Today, these solar cells represent a viable alternative to the market leader - the more expensive and sophisticated silicon battery technologies.
“Although the award is being presented to me, it belongs to the team of researchers and scientists who worked together with me. I have collaborated with many organizations, including Russian ones, and I would like to thank all my colleagues who took part in this work. The next steps in our research will aim to develop technology that would make it possible to convert solar energy into fuel energy”, Graetzel said in his speech at the award ceremony.
About the Global Energy International Energy Prize:
The Global Energy Prize is an independent international award for outstanding research, scientific, and technical developments in energy that contribute to the effective use of energy resources and environmental safety on earth in the interests of all mankind. The award was established in 2002. The prize fund was RUB 39 million in 2017. Since 2003, 35 scientists from 11 countries have received the prize: the United Kingdom, Germany, Iceland, Canada, Russia, the United States, Ukraine, France, Sweden, Switzerland, and Japan. The decision to select the recipients of the prize is made by the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee, which includes 20 reputable scientists from 13 countries. The pool of nominees for the prize includes 3,000 scientists from 90 countries. The awarding of the Global Energy Prize is funded by the major Russian energy companies Gazprom, Surgutneftegas, and FGC UES.
Additional information:
Marina Larkina, tel.: +7 (921) 649 7374; m.alekseeva@mail.ru
