#Clean Energy #Uruguay #Montevideo #Global Energy Prize #Rae Kwon Chung

Unveiling the 2026 Global Energy Prize Nominees

On June 10, 2026, the Global Energy Association revealed the much-anticipated shortlist of nominees for the 2026 Global Energy Prize. This award is recognized as one of the most distinguished honors within the field of energy sciences worldwide. The 2026 shortlist showcases a remarkable collection of 15 scientists hailing from nine different countries, including Chile, China, Cyprus, India, Mexico, Russia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Nomination Process

This announcement marks a crucial step in the award cycle, following the initial nomination phase that took place between January 1 and April 20, 2026. During this period, representatives from 30 countries and territories participated in the nomination process, which attracted candidate submissions from 28 countries. The most highly-rated individuals were selected for consideration within three categories: Traditional Energies, Non-Traditional Energies, and New Energy Applications.

The winners, chosen by an international committee led by Nobel laureate Rae Kwon Chung, are expected to significantly influence the future of the global energy sector. Rae Kwon Chung expressed his thoughts on this year’s nominees, stating, "This shortlist is a testament to the vast scope of modern energy science. I am confident that many of the showcased projects will impact the development of the global energy industry over the coming decade. I would like to congratulate all scientists listed among the nominees for this prestigious award."

The Shortlisted Nominees

Traditional Energies

1. Yilu Liu (USA) - Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee.
2. Amit Goyal (USA) - Founding Director of the RENEW Institute at the University of Buffalo, New York.
3. Haisheng Chen (China) - Director of the Institute of Applied Thermophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
4. Jorge Ancheyta-Juarez (Mexico) - Professor at the National Polytechnic Institute's Superior School of Chemical Engineering and Extractive Industries.
5. Alexander Batanov (Russia) - Director and Chief Designer at the Special Design and Technology Bureau for Applied Robotics.

Non-Traditional Energies

1. Bhim Singh (India) - Emeritus Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
2. Soteris Kalogirou (Cyprus) - Professor at the Cyprus University of Technology.
3. Yushan Yan (USA) - Director of the Clean Hydrogen Center at the University of Delaware.
4. Josep M. Guerrero (China) - Researcher at the Chinese Research Center for Renewable Energies and Microgrids.
5. José H. Zagal Moya (Chile) - Emeritus Professor and Director of the Electrocatalysis Laboratory at the University of Santiago, Chile.

New Energy Applications

1. Johann W. Kolar (Switzerland) - Emeritus Professor at ETH Zurich’s Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.
2. Jun Liu (USA) - Director of Innovation at the Battery500 Consortium and Associate Researcher at Battelle.
3. Yulong Ding (UK) - Founding President of Chamberlain in Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
4. William A. Goddard (USA) - Director of the Materials and Processes Simulation Center at the California Institute of Technology.
5. Laura Gagliardi (USA) - Professor of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago.

These nominees represent a diverse array of research and innovation that has the potential to drive significant advancements in the energy domain. The award ceremony will not only spotlight these individuals' contributions but also inspire future generations to continue exploring the frontiers of energy development. Expect to witness the impact of their work as we move toward a greener and more sustainable future in energy sciences.

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