The Global Energy Prize Award Ceremony was held at REW 2023

On 12 October, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak presented the Global Energy Prize to the 2023 laureates. They were scientists from the People's Republic of China: Zhong Lin Wang, the founder and director of the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, and Ruzhu Wang, Professor and Director of the Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The ceremony was held at the Russian Energy Week International Forum. The event was also attended by the Chairman of the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee, Nobel laureate Rae Kwon Chung (South Korea) and President of the Global Energy Association Sergey Brilev.

Laureate Zhong Lin Wang was awarded the prize in the Non-Conventional Energy category for his invention of triboelectric nanogenerators as a new energy technology for autonomous systems, the Internet of Things, robotics, artificial intelligence, and large-scale blue energy harvesting.

Laureate Ruzhu Wang was chosen in the New Ways of Energy Application category for his research in sorption cooling, which has significantly improved the technology of using low-grade thermal energy to create high-efficiency cooling. He also made a significant contribution to the development of a dehumidifier-based heat pump, doubling the energy efficiency for both cooling and heating.

"Rapid growth in the demand for electricity is one of the key trends in the development of the global energy industry. The electrification of transportation, widespread use of mobile devices, and the increasing availability of the electricity grid in developing countries all contribute to advancements that simplify production and improve the efficiency of electricity and heat utilization, which are in high demand. In this respect, the works of the laureates are at the cutting edge of global trends," said Alexander Novak.

"I would like to thank the Global Energy Prize for this outstanding award. It is a great honour for me and my team to receive it. I would like to express gratitude to many people, especially my family and my team members, for their many years of work that made this award possible. Our invention is the most revolutionary since 1831 when the principle of electromagnetic generators was discovered. It can be used for applications on a variety of scales, from harvesting energy from the ocean's surface to creating autonomous sensors suitable for medical devices and security systems. Therefore, it will contribute to the sustainable development of the entire world," said Zhong Lin Wang.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee for honoring me as a laureate in the New Ways of Energy Application category. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as well as my dedicated students and colleagues. Our research is playing a crucial role in providing China and the world with clean, high-efficiency, and low-carbon thermal energy for both industrial and domestic applications. Additionally, desiccant-based heat pumps, with their substantial decarbonization potential, will enhance the safety of cooling and heating technologies that are used in railways. The practical significance of our research cannot be overstated," said Ruzhu Wang.

"The past nomination cycle has proven that the Global Energy Prize is firmly established as a recognized international award for breakthrough energy research. I hope that the work of this year's winners will make an important contribution to driving innovation in both energy production and consumption," said Rae Kwon Chung.

During the ceremony, the Association's Diploma of Honour was awarded to a foreign scientist. The recipient of this award was Ljubivoje Popovic (Serbia), who dedicated his entire life to working at the Electric Power Distribution Company of Belgrade. The diploma was awarded to him for developing a methodology that makes it possible to determine the relevant characteristics of high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage cable lines.

"Many thanks to the Global Energy Association for recognizing my achievements in the field of electrical power engineering. As a man of advanced age, I cannot claim that this award will inspire me to produce new scientific results, but it will certainly make the remainder of my life much more satisfying. Whenever I look at this diploma, I will be reminded that I have not squandered my life. The great Serbian poet Petar II Petrović-Njegoš said of people who have left behind works of lasting value: 'Blessed is he who lives forever, for he had a reason to be born,'" said Ljubivoje Popovic.

The Global Energy Association is a non-governmental organization established in 2002 to support research and innovation in the energy sector and promote energy cooperation. The members of the Association are Gazprom, Rosseti, and Surgutneftegaz. The Association plays a crucial role in shaping the energy landscape of the future by supporting advanced scientific and technological developments and fostering international energy cooperation for the benefit of all mankind.

The Association acts as the administrator of the Global Energy Prize international award, which is awarded annually. The prize was first awarded in 2003. Over the past twenty years, 50 scientists from 16 countries have become its laureates, including Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the USA.

The Russian Energy Week International Forum is a key global platform for discussing current trends in the development of the modern fuel and energy sector. This event is traditionally held at the highest level, featuring the participation of leaders from the largest companies in the energy industry. In 2022, more than 70 events, with the involvement of over 270 speakers, were held as part of REW. The Forum attracted over 3,000 participants and media representatives from Russia, as well as 83 foreign countries and territories. The Forum is organized by the Roscongress Foundation and the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, with the support of the Moscow City Government.

Official website of REW: rusenergyweek.com. For news about the event and the industry, please follow the official REW page on VK.