Global Energy 2016

The Global Energy Prize Award Ceremony was one of the key events of the second day of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. On behalf of The President of Russian Federation the award was handed to the laureate by the President and Chairman of the Board at Rosneft and head of The Presidential Commission on Strategic Development of Energy Sector Igor Sechin.

This year The Prize acknowledges RAS academician, scientific advisor of The Institute of Catalysis under The Siberian branch of RAS Valentin Parmon (Russia). "Being awarded The Global Energy Prize is a great honor for me. It's truly remarkable that for the first time the prize is awarded to a chemist . It's very important that GEP acknowledges achievements in the sphere of catalysis - the most demanded segment of chemistry. The scientists who work in catalysis make a huge contribution into the development of petrochemical industry, also in perspective technologies like shale oil and gas refining", - said Valentin Parmon. The scientist added that the he would use the prize's monetary fund to support young scientists and their research. This year the amount of the prize is RUB 39 million.

Igor Sechin noted that the research in the sphere of catalysis done under the leadership of Valentin Parmon allowed making a real breakthrough in the petrochemical industry. "This is extremely important in today's conditions. There are fewer states in the world that use full potential of catalysis than the ones that have advanced nuclear technologies” – said Sechin.

Valentin Parmon is the author of many breakthrough inventions which brought a significant commercial effect. In 2003-2006 new generation catalysts for production of motor fuels, in particular, diesel, complying with the Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards, were designed and industrially introduced under his supervision. Within these 3 years the scientist received RUB 500 million from the state for the project research, and introduction of new catalysts at the enterprises gave additional products – super-gasoline – for almost RUB 10 billion, i.e. 17 times more than was invested. He also develops methods of fuel production from plant raw materials: wood substance, rice. Valentin Parmon has also mastered a technology of transforming solar energy into chemical one. A number of solar catalytic reactors were designed and tested under his supervision. Their efficiency of solar energy conversion in to chemical fuel reaches 43% at 2 kW of available capacity (this indicator has not been surpassed yet).

The Global Energy Prize is an independent award for outstanding scientific research and technological developments in the energy field, which contribute to the benefit of humanity. Since 2003, The Global Energy Prize has been awarded to 34 Laureates from 10 countries: Canada, Germany, France, Iceland, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, the UK and the US. The final choice of the laureates is made by The Global Energy Prize International Award Committee, which consists of 20 respected scientists from 13 countries. The nominating pool of the Global Energy Prize is represented by 3000 scientists from 83 countries. The 2016 Prize endowment sum is RUB 39 million (around $ 600 000)

Business communication agency 4D anually is the general organizer of ceremony.