Four of the best European clean energy projects and leaders won European Sustainable Energy Awards 2022 in their respective categories – Innovation, Local Energy Action, Woman in Energy and Young Energy Trailblazer.
While the finalists were chosen by a high-level jury from a shortlist of the year’s most successful projects and actions for clean, secure and efficient energy, the winners were decided by an online public vote.
MUSE GRIDS
MUSE GRIDS won the award in the Innovation category for increasing the use of renewable energy sources at the local level, by creating synergies between different energy systems and networks to form energy communities.
The Innovation 2022 category recognises outstanding ongoing or recently completed EU-funded projects that show an original and innovative path toward the clean energy transition.
MUSE GRIDS, validates solutions for the decarbonisation of the local energy system while ensuring a positive impact on the centralised energy infrastructure, local economy and local social aspects, and air quality.
Minoan Energy Community
Minoan Energy Community collected the award in the Local Energy Action category for initiating an energy community in Crete, triggering renewable energy projects to bring clean and free energy to the island.
The Local Energy Action 2022 category recognises an implemented sustainable energy action, driven by a group of citizens or consumers, which contributes to the clean energy transition at the community or local level.
We wanted to take Crete’s energy transition into our own hands. We started with this small-sized and realistic project to go through the process, also taking into account that energy consumers are currently suffering from very high prices. With this project we can provide members with free electricity.
Andreia Carreiro
Andreia Carreiro took home the award in the Woman in Energy category for advancing energy transition policies, projects and technologies in the Azores.
The Woman in Energy 2022 category recognises women who lead outstanding activities that, if replicated, help to advance the clean energy transition in Europe. Particular attention is placed on efforts in driving the gender mainstreaming agenda and supporting equality and equal opportunities in the energy sector.
I had the opportunity to put energy on the public agenda. We developed the first legislation that introduced electric mobility, for example. Now, we can see electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on the islands or take advantage of government incentives to buy an EV.
Timea Farkas
Timea Farkas was awarded in the Young Energy Trailblazer category for bringing energy efficiency to SMEs
The Young Energy Trailblazer 2022 category recognises people under the age of 35 carrying out outstanding activities that advance the clean energy transition in Europe and inspire ambitious climate and energy action.
EUSEW 2022
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) took place on 26 to 30 September 2022 under the theme ‘Going green and digital for Europe’s energy transition’. EUSEW brought thousands of sustainable energy stakeholders together both in Brussels and online to discuss Europe’s energy independence ambitions and climate goals through the REPowerEU Plan’s measures of energy savings, digitalisation, diversification of energy supplies and an accelerated roll-out of renewables.