The ceremony of conferring the tenth edition of the Eni Award 2017 took place today at the Palazzo del Quirinale, in the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, the President of Eni Emma Marcegaglia and the Chief Executive Officer of Eni Claudio Descalzi.
The award bears witness to the importance that scientific research and innovation have for Eni and, over the years, has become an international reference point for research in the fields of energy and the environment. The aim is to promote a better use of energy sources and to stimulate new generations of researchers. Since its establishment in the 2007 the nominations have been more than 8 thousand and over 27 Nobel Prize winners have been part of the Scientific Commission and evaluated the research presented.
Eni believes in young people, in their curiosity, in their desire to discover and in the strength of new energies and from this year the “Nobel of energy” is enriched with contents. Alongside the traditional Young Researcher of the Year award, reserved for the authors of the best PhD theses carried out in Italian universities, the Debut in Research: Young Talents from Africa was established, dedicated to young African graduates.
Among the 71 African candidates have been recognized the young Blessing Onyeche Ugwoke (Nigeria), awarded for a thesis and study project on the energy efficiency of renewable energy systems off-grid in Nigeria and Yemane Kelemework Equbamariam for the thesis on integrated geophysical investigations of the Main Ethiopian Rift applied to the search for geothermal resources. Both projects will be developed, with the support of Eni, during a PhD, respectively at the Turin Polytechnic and the Federico II University of Naples.
Among the young researchers of the year Matteo Fasano was awarded for his studies to support the synthesis of nanomaterials that can be used in the field of renewable energy, engineering or nanomedicine and Stefano Langé for the development of an innovative process for gas purification natural with a high content of CO2 and H2S to make this important source available to support the energy transition and respond to the growing demand in the coming decades.
One of the three major prizes was awarded to the Energy Transition (hydrocarbon innovations for the decarbonisation of the energy system), to Robert Schlögl for research in the field of hydrogen and methane production from renewable sources, with particular reference to chemical mechanisms of reaction.
The 2nd Prize for Advanced Environmental Solutions, for research on air, water and land reclamation and industrial site reclamation, went to Graham Hutchings for the development of low environmental impact catalysts that can be used in various industries, particularly in the chemical industry.
Finally, the Energy Research Bond Award for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Storage was awarded to Jens Nielsen for research on the engineering of microorganisms that open new ways for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals.
From left: Emma Marcegaglia - Eni President, Claudio Descalzi - Eni CEO and Sergio Mattarella
Emma Marcegaglia, Sergio Mattarella and Claudio Descalzi with the award-winning Eni Award 2017
Blessing Onyeche Ugwoke, one of the two winners of the Debut in Research Award: Young talents from Africa, Eni Award's ten-year award for young graduates from Africa. Awarded for a degree thesis and study project on the energy efficiency of off-grid renewable energy systems in Nigeria, she receives the award from the President of the Republic and from President and CEO Eni.
Yemane Kelemework Equbamariam, one of the two winners of the Debut Award in Research: Young Talents from Africa, Eni's Award-winning award for young African graduates. Awarded for the thesis on Integrated Geophysical Investigations of the Main Ethiopian Rift applied to geothermal resources, receives the award from the President of the Republic and President and AD Eni.