From green tomatoes to F1 flywheels: join the REA to celebrate the best in renewables

The REA today reveals the thirty-nine companies still in the running for a 2014 British Renewable Energy Award [1]. The winners will receive their Awards at a black tie Gala Dinner at the Savoy Hotel in London – winner of five green awards itself last year [2] – on 12th June. The evening will open with a champagne reception in the River Room, sponsored by Siemens Financial Services, followed by a gourmet three course dinner and the presentation of Awards in the Lancaster Ballroom.

The final shortlist is as follows…

Champion

For an individual who deserves recognition in the sector

Ø John Baldwin, CNG Services
Described as "the driving force" behind the development of the green gas industry

Ø Ian Burrow, RBS/NatWest
Has launched a range of sustainable energy products and trained 300 staff in renewables

Ø Michelle T Davies, Eversheds
A leading contributor to a huge range of industry task forces across wind and solar power

Ø Stuart Elmes, Viridian Solar
Champions solar PV and heating, in both new and existing buildings, via the STA and his blog

Ø Richard Yemm, Pelamis Wave Power
Has spent sixteen years driving forward the commercialisation of the wave energy sector

Community

For a community group that has been active in developing a renewable energy project or programme of installations in their area

Ø Community by Design
Manages the LEAP Micro-AD closed loop community recycling project in Camden

Ø Community Energy South
Association promoting the development of community energy across South East England

Ø GenCommunity
The Newport Solar Project provides free solar electricity to households in fuel poverty

Company

For the company that's done the most in the past year to advance UK renewables

Ø Bluefield Partners
Launched the successful £130 million Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF) IPO in 2013

Ø Cornwall Energy
Provides excellent information services and contributions to the renewables debate

Ø Eco2
Progressing landmark biomass power projects in a very difficult policy environment

Ø Forest Fuels
Achieved 30% growth last year and operate 17 depots and four offices across the country

Ø Forever Fuels
Has invested £14 million in the wood fuel supply chain and doubled sales two years running

Ø Infinis
The UK's largest independent renewable energy generator launched a successful IPO in 2013

Ø Tamar Energy
Making commercial scale anaerobic digestion a significant constituent of UK renewables

Financial Product NEW!

Sponsored by Blue & Green Tomorrow

For a financial product that has accelerated the deployment of renewables in the UK

Ø Abundance Generation
Empowering people to invest in renewables and pioneering "democratic finance"

Ø Bluefield Partners
The BSIF has facilitated the investment of £143.2 million in nine solar projects across the UK

Ø Good Energy
Good Energy Bonds closed early after three weeks, raising three times the £5 million target

Ø RBS/NatWest
The Energy Audit Programme cut business bills by 34% in its North of England pilot

Ø Siemens Financial Services
The Energy Efficiency Financing scheme has provided green financing to over 1,500 projects

Innovation

For an innovative renewable energy device or application that has achieved a major milestone

Ø Clarke Energy
Has supplied its first ORC CHP units that can generate extra electricity by using waste heat

Ø Rural Energy
Has installed plug and play ‘Heat Pods' at six NHS locations across Dumfries & Galloway

Ø Springhill Farms
CO2 from green gas production feeds tomato greenhouses, whose wastes feed the AD unit

Ø Viridian Solar
The new ‘Pod' simplifies solar thermal installation and stores surplus PV electricity as heat

Installer

For a company that has excelled in the installation of renewable energy equipment

Ø Ecofurb
Has achieved an exemplary audit under the Renewable Energy Consumer Code

Ø EvoEnergy
Installs 100 household solar systems per month and expanding into the commercial sector

Ø Henson Heat Pumps & Renewables
Has achieved an exemplary audit under the Renewable Energy Consumer Code

Ø Marches Biogas
Has installed more UK biogas plants than any other company, all of their own design

Ø Rural Energy
Has installed wood fuel heating for the NHS, National Trust and Ministry of Defence

Leadership

For an organisation that is mainstreaming renewable energy through the scale of its investment or its commitment to securing its energy needs from renewables

Ø Bristol City Council
The European Green Capital 2015 has increased its renewable generation 15-fold in 10 years

Ø Bluefield Partners
The BSIF plans to grow funds to over £300 million in the next two to three years

Ø Infinis
Has a 24/7 operations centre and award-winning corporate social responsibility activities

Pioneer

For an organisation in a sector not previously associated with renewables that has now become involved and created a pathway that others can follow

Ø Viridor
Pioneering sustainable waste sites – even developing a solar array on a closed landfill site

Ø WDS Green Energy
Using an old coal field as a source of renewable heat in South Wales

Ø Williams F1
Transferring flywheel technology from F1 cars into Scottish Highlands renewable micro-grids

Project

For a company that has developed an outstanding building-integrated, on-site or stand-alone project

Ø Eco2
The 40MW Sleaford straw-fired biomass plant is the first in the UK to include district heating

Ø Myriad Solar PV
Fitted a bespoke PV system on the extremely angular LSE SU Saw Swee Hock building

Ø SgurrEnergy
Technical advisor on Mongolia's first wind farm in the Salkhit region (Mongolian for "windy")

Ø TEG Environmental
Central London's first AD plant uses 50,000 tonnes of organic waste to power 2,000 homes

Skills Development

For an organisation that has excelled in improving the skills base in the industry

Ø Centrica Energy
‘Generation Safe' is a unique renewables training experience and set of working principles

Ø Hughes Sub Surface Engineering
Has introduced and trained a bespoke emergency response team for the offshore industry

Ø Innasol
The Innasol Academy is growing installation skills for heat pumps and wood fuel heating

Ø Sasie Training
Offers a diploma in design, installation and maintenance for solar systems and heat pumps

Sustainability NEW!

For an organisation using organics recycling to rethink their resource use or achieve zero waste, or a product or service that helps other organisations to do so

Ø Freeland Horticulture
Helping reduce peat use by cleaning up woody compost for use as a green peat substitute

Ø Sainsbury's
Over 125,000 installations make Sainsbury's the largest multi-roof solar operator in Europe

Ø Staples Vegetables
Uses a biogas plant to generate heating, electricity and fertiliser for use on-site

The Judges' Award will be decided by the judging panel ahead of the British Renewable Energy Awards Gala Dinner.

REA Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska said:

"The variety in the shortlist offers a snapshot of the renewables economy in action. It is a reminder that renewable energy is not just about technology, it's something that is transforming our society at all levels, from people's homes and communities to mainstream companies making major investments. My congratulations to all our finalists – I look forward to meeting you at the Gala Dinner."

The REA will confirm further details, including the line-up of judges and speakers, nearer the time. For more information about table bookings and sponsorship opportunities, visit: www.r-e-a.net/events/british-renewable-energy-awards-2014