Created to showcase the best in UK low carbon innovation, the awards recognise both private and public sector bodies that are pioneering innovative technologies and new ideas that help reduce carbon emissions.
Adnams was chosen for embracing energy efficiency across its operations, from the building of a low carbon distribution centre to the development of new energy efficient manufacturing processes. The brewer has further reduced its carbon footprint by creating a new beer bottle - the lightest on the market.
Fifteen finalists from five different categories competed for the title of overall winner. Trophies, presented in a ceremony in London on 24 April, were awarded to:
• Individual and small businesses award – Oxensis for its simultaneous temperature and pressure sensors which will help improve the energy efficiency of cars, planes and power stations.
• Energy efficiency: private sector award – Adnams for its all encompassing approach to reducing carbon emissions, from a green distribution centre to a new lighter lower carbon beer bottle.
• Energy efficiency: public sector award – Aberdeen City Council for developing a climate change action plan. It is already ahead of this emissions reduction plan with the implementation of a range of measures including the use of more energy efficient technologies and measures in procurement, design and construction.
• Larger companies award – Wright Group for its development of practical hybrid buses, some of which have been in operation in London since early 2006.
• Academic institutions – London South Bank University for its revolutionary cooling system at Victoria station that uses one of the capital’s natural resources - rising underground water. Using this system reduces the need for energy intensive cooling systems.
The winners were chosen by a distinguished judging panel that included Professor Sir Keith O'Nions, director general of science & innovation at the DTI, Professor Jim Skea, research director at UK Energy Research and Chris Mottershead, distinguished advisor at BP.
Tom Delay, chief executive at the Carbon Trust, said:
“I’m delighted this year’s winners have shown how a combination of innovative thinking and practical application can successfully reduce carbon emissions as well as deliver tangible business benefits. It’s encouraging to know there are so many forward thinking organisations out there conducting pioneering work to help the UK become a leader in low carbon technology and reduce its carbon footprint.”
For more information, please call the Carbon Trust Press Office on 020 7544 3100.
Winners and Carbon Trust staff are available for interview
The Carbon Trust
• The Carbon Trust is a private company set up by government in response to the threat of climate change, to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. The Carbon Trust works with UK business and the public sector to create practical business-focused solutions through its external work in five complementary areas: insights, solutions, innovations, enterprises and investments. Together these help to explain, deliver, develop, create and finance low carbon enterprise.
• The Carbon Trust is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and Invest NI.
Overall winner
Adnams
Individual and small business award – Winner
Oxsensis
Oxsensis based in Didcot, Oxfordshire developed simultaneous temperature and pressure sensors to help control combustion which has the effect of improving the efficiency of cars, planes and power stations. The company is currently working with Rolls-Royce and Siemens on programmes and has attracted interest from further afield in the motor industry.
Energy Efficiency: Private sector award – Winner
Adnams
Suffolk based brewer Adnams embraced energy efficiency across its operations. From the buildings of a low carbon distribution centre to a new energy efficient manufacturing processes, Adnams commitment to low carbon innovation was impressive. The company has
environmentally linked key performance indicators and identified further reduction targets with the long term aim of becoming a carbon neutral business
Energy Efficiency: Public sector award - Winner
Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeen City Council was the first council in Scotland to develop a Climate Change Action Plan and committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 15per cent by 2015 against the 2002/3 baseline.
The Council is already ahead of this emissions reduction plan with the implementation of a range of measures including the use of more energy efficient technologies and measures in procurement, design and construction.
Larger business award - Winner
Wright Group
Wright Group, based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland has developed and sold the first six single deck hybrid buses, which have been operating in central London since January 2006. Wright Group has now developed the world’s first Hybrid Electric Double Decker bus which uses innovative battery technology and a 2-litre diesel car engine. The buses reduce carbon emissions by 31 per cent and fuel consumption by 34 per cent when compared to the existing buses which operate on seven and nine litre engines. They also have the advantage of being much quieter, an important consideration in an urban environment.
Academic Institutions – Winner
London South Bank University
Academics at London South Bank University worked with London Underground to develop a revolutionary cooling system at Victoria station using one of the capital’s natural resources - rising underground water. Using this system reduces the need for energy intensive cooling systems. Not only is London Underground planning to install similar installations at up to 30 stations but there is also potential to introduce the technology to other underground rail systems across the world.
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