RESponsible Island - Prize for a renewable geographic energy island

The prize intends to highlight the potential of renewables for decentralized energy grids by addressing energy needs for electricity, heating, cooling and transport. The title is inspired by RES (short for Renewables) and "responsible" to highlight the citizen in the centre of the energy system. Within this context, the prize recognizes realised achievements in renewables on geographic energy islands.

Geographic energy islands are ideal test labs for the deployment of innovative energy technologies. The prize will reward integrated local RES production in a decentralized electricity grid and the achievements in decarbonizing heating, cooling and transport. In this context, renewable energy consumed on the island is also linked to the renewable energy produced on the island, supporting its local value chains and self-engaging the local society as a RESponsible prosumer.

The prize is in line with the objectives of the Political Declaration on Clean Energy on EU Islands and the Smart Islands Initiative and will contribute to Mission Innovation Challenge 2 (“Off Grid Access to Electricity Innovation Challenge”).

The specific rules of the contest will be published by the European Commission at the beginning of each yearly competition. The European Commission will directly launch and manage the annual contest and annual award the prize based on the judgement of independent experts.

The indicative budget for the prize is EUR 1.7 million from the 2020 budget, intended as award for two yearly competitions: EUR 0.5 million for the 1st place, EUR 0.25 million for the 2nd place, EUR 0.1 million for the 3rd place.

Scope:

This activity directly aimed at supporting pilot activities is excluded from the delegation to INEA and will be implemented by the Commission services.

Expected Impact:

The prize will highlight realised achievements/best practices in reaching the potential of renewable energy for covering electricity, heating, cooling and transport needs in off-grid societies, and in the introduction of innovative technologies to the market. It will be a recognition of a responsible local society committed to expanding the share of renewables. It will also provide excellent visibility for citizens participating in the promotion of innovative renewable energy technologies.

The recognised solutions are expected to have high replicability also to other isolated energy systems with islands characteristics worldwide in the context of Mission Innovation Challenge 2 by show-casing working business models.