Why?
At Vattenfall, we develop solutions and innovations for fossil freedom. Innovations are crucial for the development of society and our future. By awarding the Grand Prize for Engineering in the Innovation category, we want to celebrate new innovations that meet future requirements and enable a sustainable society.
Who?
A winning idea has a high level of innovation and presents something new, either a new way of thinking or solving a problem. Complexity is not necessary, the fact is that the best innovations are often simple! We value that the innovation is implementable and scalable, and that it has a positive effect from a socio-economic perspective. We also value that the innovation takes climate challenges into account and strives for freedom from fossil fuels.
Base criteria:
- Swedish Connection: The solution or individual should have a strong connection to Sweden, through residence, development, or otherwise.
- Societal Benefit: The work should positively impact society or the environment.
- Ethics and Sustainability: The solution should adhere to high ethical standards and promote sustainability.
- Current Development: The nominee must have worked on the project in the last year.
- Nominees may not be employed by the prize category partner (Vattenfall).
The nominations for 2024 are now closed.
Hall of Fame
2024 – Presented by Vattenfall
Dr Mustafa S Hamada
Motivation by the jury:
This year’s winner has developed a groundbreaking technology with the potential to profoundly impact both individual and social sustainability by making cognitive training affordable to millions around the world.
When stress and reduced cognitive focus threaten our collective creativity and problem-solving capabilities, this technology offers a solution that strengthens mental resilience and restores clarity.
As we face complex global challenges, the need for clear, sustained thinking has never been more vital. In a time when AI dominates the conversation, this technology empowers us to nurture our greatest asset: the human mind.
2023 – presented by vattenfall
Team EasyMining
Motivation by the jury:
An innovation award can be bestowed based on various criteria, such as the level of innovation, degree of implementation, economic impact, and societal benefits, to name a few. This year’s winner in Innovation has demonstrated that research results can be applied and implemented in reality with a purpose that is highly beneficial to communities worldwide.
Food production currently has a significant environmental footprint, and by circulating nutrients and other vital resources, the winner has shown that this impact can be significantly reduced.
2022 – Presented by Vattenfall
SaniSOLE
Motivation by the jury:
Innovation is a combination of creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership and subject knowledge. Innovation can be disruptive and change large systems or incremental and refine existing systems. In our time, with major challenges in the climate and environment, innovation is needed even more and is becoming increasingly important.
The jury has assessed the nominees based on all of this and found a winner who, with the help of diligent systematic work, realized a product that has great potential to enable many people to reduce their climate footprint and use an environmentally friendly and circular product with maintained quality. Antonio Capezza together with the team behind Sanisole wins this year’s award for his work with recyclable and environmentally friendly sanitary products.
2021
Hans-Olof Nilsson
Motivation by the jury:
The winner shows evidence of how an individual can use the entire spectrum of skills within engineering. The desire to create a utopia beyond the centralized energy system has made the winner curiously test new solutions to finally reach a closed energy system completely ‘off the grid’.
He has proven that, in today’s society, it is possible to be self-sufficient in renewable electricity and generously shares his experiences and knowledge about energy and hydrogen storage to influence both private individuals and decision-makers. He is a true source of inspiration and a true innovator!
Jury
The Jury for The 2024 Grand Prize for Engineering in Innovation consists of the following
Linnea Kvist
Communications Manager, Innovationsföretagen
Märtha Rehnberg
Co-Founder & Partner,
Dare Disrupt
Ambra Sannino
Vice President R&D,
Vattenfall AB
Kristina Bexelius
Head of Communications,
Linti Group
Nominations are closed!
Thank you for all the amazing nominations!
Nominate
Please fill in the information below to nominate an individual engineer or team. We require your details to complete the nomination.