Three Scientists from China, USA, and Russia Awarded Global Energy Prize 2025
The Global Energy Prize 2025: Pioneering Innovations in Energy
On July 9, 2025, during a prestigious ceremony held in Montevideo, Uruguay, the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee unveiled the laureates of its 2025 edition. This year, the awards underscore significant advancements in both conventional and unconventional energy fields, recognizing three outstanding scientists from China, the USA, and Russia.
The Laureates
Jinliang He: A Leader in Conventional Energy
In the category of Conventional Energy, Jinliang He, President of the High Voltage Engineering Research Institute and a professor at Tsinghua University in China, was honored. He expressed his gratitude by stating, “This honor not only acknowledges my individual contributions but also highlights the collective efforts of numerous brilliant minds working tirelessly to enhance sustainable energy supply. It symbolizes our shared vision of providing safe and efficient energy to the world.” His work focuses on advancing ultra-high voltage transmission technologies, essential for meeting the growing energy demands globally.
Yu Huang: Breaking Barriers in Unconventional Energy
This year’s award for Unconventional Energy was notably historic as it was awarded to a woman for the first time. Yu Huang, a professor and department chair at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), received recognition for her innovative developments in catalysts that significantly improve fuel cell efficiency, durability, and profitability. “I feel profoundly honored and grateful to receive this prestigious award,” said Huang. “My team is committed to bridging the gap between discovery and implementation, transforming new materials into viable energy conversion and storage solutions.” Her acknowledgment emphasizes the importance of collaboration in scientific advancements, reflecting the creativity and passion of her dedicated team of students and researchers.
Vladislav Khomich: Advancing Plasma Energy
The award in the category of New Applications of Energy was presented to Vladislav Khomich, head of research at the Institute of Electrophysics and Electric Power of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). Khomich was honored for his groundbreaking work in plasma technologies and pulsated energy, which hold transformative potential for new energy applications. His contributions are pivotal not only in advancing scientific understanding but also in practical energy solutions that could reshape our approach to energy generation and consumption.
The Selection Process
The selection of this year's awardees was a rigorous process, with nominations received from 44 countries, totaling 90 candidates. From this pool, a distinguished committee, chaired by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rae Kwon Chung, made the final selections from a shortlist of 15 scientists representing 8 countries. Chung emphasized the global challenges faced by science today, stating, “It is not an exaggeration to assert that our ability to swiftly address these challenges will define the future of civilization. The most pressing problems include the transition to clean technologies and effective solutions to combat global climate change.”
Looking Ahead
The Global Energy Prize serves as a beacon of hope and innovation in the energy sector, spotlighting the critical need for advancements in energy technology. As the world grapples with climate change and the demand for clean energy solutions intensifies, these laureates exemplify the vision and ingenuity necessary to forge a sustainable energy future. Through recognition of exceptional achievements like those of Jinliang He, Yu Huang, and Vladislav Khomich, the Global Energy Prize continues to inspire future generations of scientists and innovators.