Roll of Honour
Rushlight Awards 2016-17 results:
| The Rushlight Award | Winner: ITM Power |
| Group categories | Winner: |
| Rushlight Natural Energy Award | Enviga Geothermal Ltd |
| Rushlight Clean Energy Award | ITM Power |
| Rushlight Energy Environmental Award | Reactive Technologies Ltd |
| Rushlight Resource Innovation Award | Nextek Ltd |
| Rushlight Environmental Management Award | The Greenhouse Project |
| Direct entry categories | Winner: |
| Rushlight Solar Award | Onyx Solar Energy SL |
| Rushlight Ground & Air Source Power Award | Enviga Geothermal Ltd |
| Rushlight Wind Power Award | GreenSpur Renewables |
| Rushlight Marine & Hydro Energy Award | European Marine Energy Centre |
| Rushlight Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Award | ITM Power |
| Rushlight Power Gen and Transmission Award | BasePower Ltd |
| Rushlight Energy Reduction Award | High Performance Sports Ltd |
| Rushlight Energy Efficiency Award | Reactive Technologies Ltd |
| Rushlight Water Treatment Award | Perceptive Engineering Ltd |
| Rushlight Organic Resource Award | BIOTELos Ltd |
| Rushlight Resource Recycling Award | Nextek Ltd |
| Rushlight Clean Environment Award | Smart Separations Ltd |
| Rushlight Responsible Product or Service Award | Aquapak Polymers Ltd |
| Rushlight Sust Manufacturing & Services Award | Revaluetech Ltd |
| Rushlight Sust Agric, Forestry & Biodiversity Award | South East Water |
| Rushlight Environmental Analysis & Metrology Award | Oxford Environmental Tools |
| Rushlight Sustainability Initiative Award | Cleanweb Ltd |
| The following organisations were also highly commended for their entries in their specific categories: | |
| Rushlight Ground & Air Source Power Award | Smart Renewable Heat |
| Rushlight Marine & Hydro Energy Award | Rumbling Bridge Community Scheme |
| Rushlight Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Award | ULEMCo |
| Rushlight Power Gen and Transmission Award | WaterGEN |
| Rushlight Energy Reduction Award | The Greenhouse Project |
| Rushlight Energy Efficiency Award | Perpetual V2G |
| Rushlight Water Treatment Award | NVP Energy |
| Rushlight Clean Environment Award | University of Liverpool |
| Rushlight Responsible Product or Service Award | Sustainable Pipeline Systems and D-Orbit |
| Rushlight Sust Manufacturing & Services Award | Carbon Cycle and NiTech Solutions |
| Rushlight Sust Agric, Forestry & Biodiversity Award | The Greenhouse Project |
| Rushlight Sustainability Initiative Award | Big Green Machine |
Rushlight Awards 2015-16
The Rushlight Award overall winner: Recycling Technologies
| Group categories | Winner |
|---|---|
| Rushlight Natural Energy Award | Desolenator |
| Rushlight Clean Energy Award | Oxford Advanced Surfaces |
| Rushlight Energy Environmental Award | Bowman Power Group |
| Rushlight Resource Innovation Award | Recycling Technologies |
| Rushlight Env Management Award | Topolytics |
| Direct entry categories | Winner |
|---|---|
| Rushlight Solar Award | Desolenator |
| Rushlight Ground & Air Source Power Award | Ecovision Systems Ltd |
| Rushlight Powered Transport Award | Oxford Advanced Surfaces |
| Rushlight Power Gen and Transmission Award | Bowman Power Group |
| Rushlight Energy Reduction Award | 21C Eco Energy Ltd |
| Rushlight Energy Efficiency Award | Upside Energy Ltd |
| Rushlight Water Treatment Award | R&W Civil Engineering |
| Rushlight Water Management Award | Waterblade |
| Rushlight Organic Resource Award | Antaco UK Ltd |
| Rushlight Resource Recycling Award | Recycling Technologies |
| Rushlight Sust Manufacturing & Services Award | Cambond Ltd |
| Rushlight Env Analysis & Metrology Award | Topolytics |
| Rushlight Sustainability Initiative Award | Solar Options for Schools Ltd |
Rushlight Awards 2014-15
| The Rushlight Award | Azotic Technologies Ltd |
| Group categories | |
| Rushlight Natural Energy Award | Marine Engineering Energy Solutions Ltd |
| Rushlight Clean Energy Award | Celtic Renewables Ltd |
| Rushlight Energy Environmental Award | The Chopping Company |
| Rushlight Resource Innovation Award | MBA Polymers |
| Rushlight Environmental Management Award | Votechnik |
| Direct entry categories | |
| Rushlight Solar Award | Hanergy Solar UK |
| Rushlight Wind Power Award | Marine Engineering Energy Solutions Ltd |
| Rushlight Marine & Hydro Energy Award | Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd |
| Rushlight Bioenergy Award | Celtic Renewables Ltd |
| Rushlight Powered Transport Award | IPDI Innovations Ltd |
| Rushlight Power Generation and Transmission Award | SGN Ltd |
| Rushlight Energy Reduction Award | Kelda Showers |
| Rushlight Energy Efficiency Award | Upside Energy Ltd |
| Rushlight Water Management Award | i2O Water |
| Rushlight Resource Management Award | Ekko Waste Solutions Ltd/ Tharsus Group |
| Rushlight Organic Resource Award | GENeco |
| Rushlight Resource Recycling Award | Votechnik |
| Rushlight Waste to Energy Award | GENeco |
| Rushlight Clean Environment Award | Votechnik |
| Rushlight Responsible Product or Service Award | WeedingTech/ Tharsus Group |
| Rushlight Sustainable Manufacturing & Services Award | Nafici Environmental Research Ltd |
| Rushlight Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry & Biodiversity Award | Azotic Technologies Ltd |
| Rushlight Sustainability Initiative Award | WeedingTech |
| Rushlight International Award | The Ogunmuyiwa Engine Cycle |
| Climate-KIC Award | Samad Power Ltd |
The following organisations were successful in the Rushlight Awards 2012-13, either winning an award or being commended and shorlisted for their entry (see Press Releases for the specific results):
Air Fuel Synthesis (www.airfuelsynthesis.com) who create carbon-neutral liquid fuels from renewable energy sources as a practical alternative to today’s fossil hydrocarbons. The company’s UK-based AFS demonstrator facility, commissioned in March 2012, is currently producing a range of synthetic liquid fuels including methanol and petrol, using captured CO2 and hydrogen from water electrolysis. (Commended)
Alumet (www.alumet.co.uk) for a package of measures involving a retrofit façade, installing the Midland’s first electric vehicle charging point, constructed a green wall façade incorporating soil and irrigation, converting a disused piece of wasteland into a wildlife garden, opening a living laboratory showcasing the latest in renewable technologies and installing a 100kW array of photovoltaic panels on the factory roof. (Commended)
Best Foot Forward (www.bestfootforward.com) for their new Product Portfolio Footprinting service which enables businesses with complex supply chains and thousands of different products to quickly measure and manage their carbon footprint. (Commended)
Better Generation (www.bettergeneration.co.uk) have developed the Power Predictor which uses a combination of low cost sensing and powerful cloud computing to offer a solution that accurately measures the quantum and type of natural energy available at any specific location. It then matches this to a global database of technology\products presenting a short list of the best matches in terms of a viable potential financial return on an investment into renewable energy technology. (Winner)
Bluewater Bio (www.bluewaterbio.com) for their proprietary wastewater treatment process, HYBACS, which is an innovative nutrient-removal, hybrid-activated system well suited to upgrade existing facilities to cope with increased throughput volumes and to improve effluent quality. (Commended)
Chinook (www.chinookenergy.com) has developed and commercialised the world’s only Universal Gasification/Pyrolysis system, which uniquely combines advanced recycling and renewable energy generation for a wide variety of wastes in one system. The process takes residues from automotive and white goods recycling typically destined for landfill, recovering significant amount of recyclates and converting the hydrocarbons into a fuel, used to generate electricity using steam turbines. (Winner)
Eminox (www.eminox.com) for their specialist exhaust system reducing pollution from heavy duty vehicles like buses. The SCRT system can be cost-effectively retrofitted to older vehicles already in service, upgrading them to the same emissions standard as vehicles manufactured today. (Commended)
Glosfume (www.glosfume.com) have developed a self-cleaning ceramic filter which removes 100% of PM10 and 96% of all PM2.5 from biomass wood-fired boiler emissions. Unlike conventional filtration, this filter can withstand moisture and condensable tars which are often found in the gas stream during start-up and shut down. (Winner)
Green Desk (www.thegreendesk.org.uk) for their cloud-based resource management software which measures and manages core business costs with built-in tools that identify how and where cost, consumption and carbon savings can be made. (Commended)
G-volution (www.g-volution.co.uk) have developed technology, which has been installed in over 50 trucks in the UK, which enables a modern diesel engine to be multi-fuelled, combining diesel with natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or hydrogen. Through emulation, the diesel injection signal is replicated which ensures there is no over-powering or over-torquing. (Winner)
Kebony (www.kebony.com) have developed a revolutionary process which impregnates sustainable softwood wood species such as maple, pine and beech with a patented mixture based on furfuryl alcohol, a waste by-product of sugar cane production. The wood is then hardened under pressure and heat, the liquid reacts with the wood’s cell walls and is permanently strengthened, making it more stable, harder and durable against biological decay and having the properties of tropical hardwood. (Winner)
Kinematic Marine (www.kinematicsmarine.com) have developed a fully automatic, passive, pitch control solution for vertical axis tidal stream turbines, which allows above water drive-train and generator for easy maintenance. This maintains the blade at an optimal angle at all times and requires no active external control. (Winner)
KiWi Power (www.kiwipowered.com) for their commercial aggregation of demand response to the National Grid by providing contingency power and demand management technical services, including standby generation, process optimisation and smart metering. (Commended)
i2O Water (www.i2owater.com) have developed an Advanced Pressure Management system which allows water companies to proactively and remotely manage pressure and improve the performance and life span of their networks. The system delivers the required level of water pressure, adapting continuously to actual usage and pressure needs, resulting in leakage reduction; burst frequency reduction; energy consumption savings; network asset life extension; lower operational costs and improved customer service. (Winner)
Integrated Environmental Solutions for THERM (THrough-life Energy and Resource Modelling) (www.iesve.com), a software tool for sustainable manufacturing, which integrates modelling of factory processes within their environment and uses data analysis tools to understand the opportunities that exist for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, within the factory building. (Commended)
Light Planet (www.lightplanet.co.uk) for their NeoBulb range of LED lights at the forefront of advanced lighting solutions. The fixtures are engineered using a unique heat dissipation system that allows them to operate at ultra-high power with high luminous flux whilst maintaining a low thermal junction temperature. (Commended)
Loowatt (www.loowatt.com) has developed a waterless toilet system that seals human waste into biodegradable polymer film for anaerobic digestion. The digester converts the waste into biogas and digestate, a nutrient-rich liquid that is further treated to be sold as fertiliser. The biogas is used directly as fuel or converted to electricity. (Winner)
Nexeon (www.nexeon.co.uk) have developed structured silicon materials which overcome the poor lifetime typically associated with silicon in batteries whilst achieving high power densities needed for energy storage and low carbon vehicles, as silicon is capable of storing ten times more energy capacity per gram than the incumbent graphite anode technology. (Winner)
Newform Energy (www.newformenergy.com), who have developed a hybrid solar solution that combines PV, solar thermal and heat pumps which results in an aggregate system output that far exceeds the sum of the outputs from the separate technologies. (Commended)
The Nottingham University consortium (Nottingham University, Blue Planet Ltd, Tru-Stone Ltd and Marsh- Growchowski Architects LLP) have developed unique zero carbon modular homes using a flatpack system to address energy use. The features include low energy appliances and photovoltaic solar panels, in addition to low U-value walls, floor and ceiling. A series of 320W peak solar PV panels built into the roof structure feed, via an inverter, either the grid or a bank of batteries to reduce electricity costs and enable the whole building to achieve an A+ energy rating. (Winner)
PassivSystems (www.passivsystems.com) for their innovative weather compensating and building performance learning software linked to an intuitive occupancy-driven Mobile App that allows consumers to easily override heating/cooling and hot water settings anywhere, anytime. (Commended)
Propelair (www.propelair.com) for their revolutionary low flush toilet which uses patented displaced air technology enabling an 84% reduction of water usage when compared to the average flush. (Commended)
RE Hydrogen (www.rehydrogen.com) have developed two core technologies that involve the production of hydrogen production through electrolysis of water and the combination of a low cost atmospheric pressure stack and advanced compressor, resulting in localised energy production and storage for energy, transport and smart grid applications. They have managed to reduce the overall cost of hydrogen down from £10.90 per kg to £3.60. (Winner)
Sentec (www.sentec.co.uk) and Selex ES (www.selex-es.com) have developed GridKey to provide a low cost, accurate monitoring solution that can be retrofitted without interruption to allow the Distribution Network Operators to have visibility of their low voltage network. This will allow optimisation of low carbon technology deployment without unnecessary investment in the grid. (Winner)
The Smartstreets-Smartbin (www.smartstreets.co.uk) is a unique, multi-patented bin design which transforms cigarette and gum litter collection in cities and shared places. Fitting any size or shape of lamp-post or sign-post infrastructure, Smartbins enable the creation of networks of convenient, consistently spaced disposal facilities across high footfall areas, without adding clutter to the street scene. (Winner)
Sun Spirit (www.sunspirit.co.uk) their technology is a low cost, low carbon, roll-to-roll invention that allows any PV technology to be produced cost effectively. By combining holographic embossing with high speed coating technologies, with the cell and module interconnectors in the surface ready for printing, fully formed light weight modules are created in a simple 3 step process. (Winner)
University of York (www.york.ac.uk) have developed Starbons, made from starch, which are a unique range of materials with a mesoporous structure which minimizes blocking by large molecules enabling higher adsorption rates and efficiencies compared to silicas and activated carbons. Starbons can remove from effluent streams harmful constituents - from heavy metals to large molecules such as dyestuffs. (Winner)
Xeros (www.xeroscleaning.com) have developed an ultra low water cleaning system involving Xeros polymer beads used in a special washing machine designed to release the beads into the drum for washing and then removing the beads from the clothes when the cleaning is complete. Up to 80% less water, 50% less energy and 50% less detergent is used compared with conventional aqueous washing. (Winner)
The following organisations were successful in the Rushlight Awards 2011, either winning an award or being commended and shorlisted for their entry (see Press Releases for the specific results):
AFC Energy plc (www.afcenergy.com) for their advanced alkaline fuel cell which, through their innovative fuel cell and stack design, together with a novel laser-based process for cost-efficient manufacture, makes it highly efficient and scalable. It has been successfully installed at AkzoNobel’s Bitterfeld chlor-alkali plant, taking the hydrogen by-product and converting it to grid electricity. (Commended)
Advanced Plasma Power (www.advancedplasmapower.com) who have developed a unique two-stage gasification technology, Gasplasma, which enables the clean, efficient and sustainable conversion of waste-to-energy. The two well-proven technologies convert non-recyclable waste into a clean hydrogen-rich syngas and an inert vitrified product which can be used as a building material. This process is being used on the world’s first enhanced landfill mining project in the world. (Winner)
AMEE (www.amee.com) has over 8 million data items providing the fundamental information including standards, methodologies and data necessary to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. Its unique partnerships with world-leading standards providers including the World Resource Institute (WRI), UK Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), make AMEE the most comprehensive and advanced web-based solution, providing a rigorous quality assurance service to data providers and standards developers. (Winner)
Artemis Intelligent Power (www.artemisip.com) for their ultra-efficient Artemis Digital Displacement® hydraulic transmission system which has been scaled up to replace the problematic gearbox and power electronics used in conventional wind turbine drivelines. It provides a compact and robust power transmission with variable speed, grid fault resilience, low weight, modular design and much higher efficiencies than previously achieved with hydrostatic transmissions. (Winner)
Bowman Power (www.bowmanpower.com) for their recovered exhaust energy system that produces electrical power by means of a turbo-generator. The recovered waste energy thereby contributes to the performance of the machine. (Commended)
Bluewater Bio (www.bluewaterbio.com) for their proprietary wastewater treatment process, HYBACS, which is an innovative nutrient-removal, hybrid-activated system well suited to upgrade existing facilities to cope with increased throughput volumes. (Commended)
Controlled Power Technologies (www.cpowert.com) for their SpeedStart belt-integrated starter generator and variable torque enhancement system which improves the performance of hybrid vehicles. (Commended)
C-Tech Innovation (www.ctechinnovation.com) for their continuous flow microwave chemistry reactor capable of processing up to 1 tonne a day and which results in significant reductions in reaction time and improved yields. (Commended)
Daikin’s (www.daikin.co.uk) Altherma Flex Type is a world-first high temperature air-water heat pump, suitable for commercial applications and multi-occupancy apartments. The high efficiency of the heat pump technology, the modular nature of the system and the option to choose a centralised or decentralised configuration mean that it has an impressive flexibility of installation and overall performance. (Winner)
Econovate (www.econovate.com) exploits low-grade waste paper and cardboard, diverted from landfills and other discarded materials, combining technologies from different industries, to manufacture fibre-cellulose based blocks. These are engineered with a composition of materials to achieve enhanced thermal and acoustic characteristics in an affordable, light weight and high-performance load-bearing block which can be used to displace concrete blocks as a construction material. (Winner)
Eight19’s (www.eight19.com) IndiGo combines micro-solar power with mobile phone technology to offer clean light on a “pay-as-you-go” basis, greatly increasing access to solar light without expensive up-front costs. The product also eliminates poisonous kerosene fumes and the fire risk and CO2 emissions of kerosene lights. (Winner)
Highview Power Storage (www.highview-power.com) who have developed and deployed the world’s first Cryogenic Energy Storage system using a novel system design and development of ‘asymmetric’ cold recycle and storage. The system can be scaled to 100MWs/GWhs of storage and it can harness low grade waste heat (sub 100°C) from industrial processes converting it to additional electricity. All the components are available from mature supply chains. (Winner)
Kingspan (www.kingspan.co.uk) for their Aeromax Plus air source heat pump range, designed specifically for the northern hemisphere, capable of operating effectively at temperatures as low as -20C. (Commended)
ITM Power (www.itm-power.com) have developed a transportable hydrogen refuelling unit (HFuel) that uses high pressure electrolysis to generate hydrogen on-site from water and renewable power. It has been designed in standard industrial containers to facilitate easy shipment and installation. (Winner)
Mitsubishi for their new Ecodan monobloc air source heat pump boiler for commercial buildings, suitable for retrofit and new build situations. (Commended)
Nexeon Ltd (www.nexeon.co.uk) have effectively addressed the life cycle issues associated with silicon used for anode coatings, thereby enabling silicon’s strong affinity for lithium to be exploited in lithium ion batteries. This enables batteries to have greater power storage and to be smaller and lighter, thereby, inter alia, improving the performance of electric vehicles significantly. (Winner)
Nextek Ltd (www.nextek.org) who have developed and deployed the first closed loop process for food-grade post-consumer recycled propylene packaging. The technology uses a novel process to decontaminate the polypropylene involving a high temperature melt and a solid low temperature decontamination so that food-grade standards can be achieved, thereby enabling virgin polypropylene to be displaced. (Winner)
Ocean Resource Ltd (www.oceanresource.co.uk) for their carbon capture and storage and oil recovery enhancement solution which combines an autonomous high stability buoyant structure moored to an integrated gravity base and fluid riser, seabed injection wells, and a 45,000 tonne capacity liquid CO2 storage facility with an insulated loading system to enable liquid CO2 to be injected into a subsea reservoir to sequester the CO2 and/or to facilitate enhanced oil recovery or methane release for energy production. (Winner)
Onzo Ltd (www.onzo.com) who have developed a suite of innovative appliance detection algorithms which disaggregate household electricity consumption from a single source of electricity data into individual appliance consumption. The data source can be a clip-on sensor, such as the one in Onzo’s Smart Energy Kit, or a smart meter. (Winner)
Pacific Atlantic have developed the Wovebag which is a reusable shopping bag that is made from waste paper that is woven to give the bag extra strength. The paper has a water-resistant additive to ensure the paper has wet strength. It can hold on average 10kg in weight and is recyclable and compostable. (Winner)
SCFI Group (www.scfi.eu) have developed AquaCritox which provides organic wet waste destruction, extracts phosphorus and CO2, is completely odourless and is the first system of its type to have a positive renewable energy balance. This is achieved through its super critical water oxidation process where a combination of heating and pressuring water transforms it into a universal solvent for gases and organic compounds. (Winner)
SolaPlug (www.solaplug.co.uk) who have developed a solar thermal system that can be retrofitted to homes retaining their existing cylinders, thereby minimising the costs and environmental footprint of the installation. (Commended)
V Phase (www.vphase.co.uk) for the first domestic voltage optimisation product on the market which brings the UK average of 245 volts down to a default 220 volts. (Commended)
Zebec Biogas (www.zebecenergy.co.uk) have developed a novel digestate processing stage which they have incorporated into an anaerobic digestion biogas CHP plant. The waste heat captured from the CHP system is used to concentrate the liquid fraction of the digestate into a nutrient rich liquid fertiliser, thereby upgrading the remaining organic material from the process into a valuable commodity. (Winner)
The following organisations were successful in the Rushlight Awards 2010, either winning an award or being commended and shorlisted for their entry (see Press Releases for the specific results):
AFC Energy plc (https://www.afcenergy.com/) for their advanced alkaline fuel cell which, through their innovative fuel cell and stack design, together with a novel laser-based process for mass manufacture, makes it suitable for the technology to be linked with underground coal gasification so that it can be deployed on an industrial scale for the first time. (Winner)
Anyvan.com (https://www.anyvan.com/) is a delivery auction website that matches demand for deliveries, from single items to large consignments, with spare capacity that is available. Transport providers bid on the consignment to be moved and the customer chooses the one they want. Organisations bidding for listings are using spare capacity on return journeys or part loads, thereby reducing the number of delivery trips on the roads. (Winner)
Arvia Technology and Magnox North (https://www.arviatechnology.com/) The nuclear energy industry produces quantities of highly radioactive oils and oily wastes that are so heavily contaminated that they are defined as orphan wastes with no suitable disposal route. The oils are emulsified with an organic surfactant and poured into a plastic tank over a non-porous, highly conducting, adsorbent, carbon-based material. The oils are separated by adsorbtion and then destroyed, together with the organic surfactant, by anodic oxidation and the radioactivity remains in the aqueous phase. (Winner)
B9 Coal (https://www.b9coal.com/) who are developing projects that combine coal gasification with alkaline fuel cells to produce utility scale low carbon electricity from the world’s abundant coal reserves. The coal gasification process produces a syngas which is then cleaned up so that the CO2 is captured and the hydrogen fuels the integrated gasification fuel cell power station. (Commended)
Baxi (https://www.baxi.co.uk/) Ecogen is a micro-CHP unit that can generate 1KW of electricity and provide all the heating and hot water needs of a typical household. It is a wall-hung boiler that uses a Free Piston Stirling Engine and through intelligent controls it manages the flow temperature to match the property heat requirements. (Winner)
Biomatrix Water Technology. (https://www.biomatrixwater.com/) Their Dynamic Media Active Island Reactor is an engineered floating island and underwater ecosystem that supports complex biological treatment processes within an attractive feature in the aquatic landscape. It combines ecological engineering with biofilm and traditional treatment processes in an energy efficient and low cost manner. (Winner)
Diverse Energy (https://www.diverse-energy.com/) The PowerCube is a low-cost power solution for mobile phone communication towers in remote third world locations, replacing diesel generators. An innovative ammonia cracker produces the hydrogen for the fuel cell with market leading efficiency and in a compact design, which only produces what is needed to produce the required power at any given time. (Winner)
EarthEnergy (https://www.earthenergy.co.uk/) for their HeatPlant ground source heat pump system capable of delivering high temperature hot water and heating in an easily replicable closed loop pump package suitable for large scale adoption in social housing. (Commended)
Ecocamel. (https://www.ecocamel.com/) have developed their InJet multi-venturi system which combines many venturis in a shower head for the first time. This reduces the required water pressure to aerate the water and to deliver today’s expected shower experience. This can be developed further for pressure washer and window cleaning applications. (Winner)
EnerNOC (https://www.enernoc.com/) for DemandSMART which is a comprehensive demand response system that give businesses the opportunity to earn money if they are willing to reduce non-essential energy usage during times of grid instability or peak demand. (Commended)
Geothermal International (https://www.geothermalint.co.uk/) for their innovative combined ground and air source closed loop energy piles, open loop wells and dry air coolers system at One New Change, next to St Paul’s Cathedral. (Commended)
Glosfume (https://www.glosfume.com/) have developed a ceramic filter which can remove 96% of all PM10 and PM2.5 from biomass wood-fired boilers. A number of micro porous tubes are vertically mounted within the filter housing. The exhaust gas is drawn through the wall of the tubes and the sub-micron particles collect on the outer wall and are collected at a preset time through a compressed air driven cleansing. (Winner)
IMC (https://www.imco.co.uk/) have developed the Compod standalone mobile building designed to be a flexible solution to the treatment and processing of caterer’s food waste at Imperial College into quality compost in a cost effective way. The food waste is macerated and dewatered before being blended with wood pellets and loaded into an In Vessel Composter. The payback is just 19 months for this facility which can be used in a variety of locations such as shopping centres, hospitals and stadia. (Winner)
Intelligent Energy (https://www.intelligent-energy.com/) have integrated their proprietary Proton Exchange membrane fuel cell system into the London black cab in conjunction with an electric battery to produce a zero emission vehicle with a driving range of 250 miles, a top speed of 95 mph, rapid refuelling and no loss of passenger or luggage space. It could remove one third of the capital’s particulate pollution and 2million tonnes of CO2 emissions. (Winner)
InterfaceFLOR (https://www.interfaceflor.eu/) for their Zelfo Technology. Cellulose Optimization Resource Efficient technology has been developed to up-cycle cellulosic and ligno-cellulosic waste, without any chemical additives, to create Zelfo, a micro and nano-fibrillated fibre. Waste such as old paper, wood chips, waste cotton, flax and jute can be processed to produce Zelfo using techniques used for synthetic material production, dramatically reducing the amount of water and energy typically used in such processes. (Winner)
Keld Energy(https://www.keldenergy.co.uk/) in association with the University of Manchester, have developed an advanced biomass CHP technology that addresses the problems of tar fouling, low process thermo-electric efficiencies and poor fuel flexibility in a scalable form from as small as 100KW up to many MW. It can be fed with a range of biomass fuels and process wastes. (Winner)
Larfarge Readymix (https://www.lafarge-cement-uk.co.uk/) for Extensia which is a new concrete floor product that does not require steel to manage shrinkage, can be laid in thinner and larger slabs due to the extra flexural strength and reduced shrinkage and has low oxygen permeability and water porosity. (Commended)
Luethi Enterprises (https://www.silentwindturbine.com/) Silent Wind Turbine, is a vertical axis Savonius type design with a clever mechanical speed regulator that enables it to operate in very high wind speeds, have a low start-up speed, is easy to install and maintain and is therefore ideal for remote locations. It is manufactured using large plastic barrels that are used globally for transporting a wide range of fluid materials, yet they are rarely reused and are resource intensive to recycle. (Winner)
Minesto.(https://www.minesto.com/) Deep Green is unique in its ability to extract cost-effectively electrical energy from slow water movements in tidal sites. This is achieved through the movement of a kite through the water which increases the flow velocity into the turbine tenfold. The kite moves on a spherical surface and has a wing span of 12m. The kite is tethered to the seabed and the generated electricity runs down the tether along the seabed. (Winner)
ModCell (https://www.modcell.com/) for their prefabricated straw bale and hemp panel construction system. The innovative, offsite manufactured system ensures speedy installation for large scale, low carbon buildings. The performance of ModCell and BaleHaus, the domestic building equivalent, meet PassivHaus standards. (Commended)
MWH ByProduct Ltd (https://www.biproductrecovery.co.uk/) (formerly Biproduct Recovery) have developed a system that takes cement kiln dust, which are fine-grained, highly alkaline materials from exhaust gases, and by-pass dust and recognises their significant levels of calcium oxide, sulphur and soluble potash. They are diverted from hazardous landfill and instead used as a direct substitute for virgin limestone by farmers to neutralise soil acidity. (Winner)
Oxford Catalysts (https://www.oxfordcatalysts.com/) use microchannel Fischer-Tropsch and steam methane reforming reactors with a highly active catalyst to produce a high quality synthetic crude or gas-to-liquid product that can be handled through the existing industry infrastructure. Its cost effectiveness on a small scale opens up new markets, especially offshore, as a real alternative to flaring. (Winner)
Pavegen (https://www.pavegensystems.com/) for their flexible paving slab that generates electricity from the kinetic energy from footfall. Each step can generate 2W of energy for the duration of the step and involves just 5mm of movement. It can be linked to lighting or a battery for power storage. (Commended)
Recolight (https://www.recolight.co.uk/) have developed two collection containers for low-energy light bulbs. Due to the small amount of mercury used in such lights, they are deemed hazardous waste. The Bulbstore Maxi is for outside use and the Bulbstore Mini, designed in partnership with the Open University, is for in-store application. Both are designed to minimise the risk of breakage. (Winner)
Re Hydrogen (https://www.rehydrogen.com/) for their revolutionary electrolyser which produces hydrogen 93% cheaper and 13% more efficiently than current systems. Innovations include the elimination of standard elements which are not part of the electrolysis reaction to reduce cost, materials and electrode configuration to avoid catalyst oxidation, and catalyst regeneration. (Commended)
Roger Bullivant Ltd (https://www.roger-bullivant.co.uk/) and University of Nottingham (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/). The integration of System First, a pre-fabricated foundation and ground floor system that reduces installation time by 75% and concrete usage by 90%, with Thermafoundation, which extracts ground heat through piles and also stores heat interseasonally with the use of solar technologies, provides significant resource and energy usage reduction through this successful collaboration. (Winner)
Severn Trent plc. (https://www.severntrent.co.uk/) Severn Trent is using 750 hectares of land which have been used to recycle sewage sludge for over 120 years, and due to elevated levels of heavy metals are unsuitable for food crops, to grow and harvest maize silage. This is stored and then fed into an anaerobic crop digester to produce biomethane, which is used to fuel a combined heat and power plant which supports the process and the adjoining sewage treatment works, serving the city of Nottingham. (Winner)
Surface Power ( https://www.surfacepower.com/) have developed a solar thermal product which decimates the time to install, halves the cost, outperforms on heat generated and lasts for twice as long when compared with the current legacy systems. (Commended)
University of Nottingham (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/) has developed a solar desalination system consisting of a concentrating solar collector which heats the seawater and a desalination core which incorporates the humidification and dehumidification chambers . The key innovation is the psychometric energy core cycle that consists of a multi-channel polymer membrane device which ensures high quality treated water. (Winner)
VerdErg Renewable Energy (https://www.verderg.com/) use Bernoulli’s venturi principles to convert large low head flows to higher head smaller flows to drive a conventional axial flow turbine which is the only underwater moving part in this marine energy technology. It is suitable for a range of different locations and conditions and is easily scalable. (Winner)
Zeropex (https://www.zeropex.com/) for Difgen, a micro-hydro generator that fits into the water distribution network and converts excess pressure into electricity. It acts as a pressure-reducing valve that provides either renewable energy under natural flow or recovered energy under pumped flow via a rotary lobe turbine linked to a generator. (Commended)
The following organisations were successful in the Rushlight Awards 2009, either winning an award or being commended and shorlisted for their entry (see Press Releases for the specific results):
Air Products plc (https://www.airproducts.com/) Air Products’ Series 100 hydrogen fuelling stations are fully integrated vehicle fuelling systems that are safe, flexible and easy to install and use. They resemble any other petrol or diesel pump, but offer the user flexibility of hydrogen supply: providing both delivered and onsite-generated hydrogen, with the latter capable of being generated from renewable energy or waste. (Winner)
Aquamarine Power (https://www.aquamarinepower.com/) Oyster is the world’s first grid-connected nearshore wave energy converter. It is a simple mechanical hinged flap connected to the seabed at around 10m depth. Each passing wave moves the flap, driving hydraulic pistons to deliver high pressure water via a pipeline to an onshore electrical turbine. (Winner)
BiogenGreenfinch (https://www.biogengreenfinch.co.uk/) process food and other organic waste by means of anaerobic digestion and use it as a fuel to make renewable energy and a nutrient-rich fertiliser. The waste is broken down in sealed tanks by micro-organisms which produce a methane-rich biogas, suitable for a CHP plant. A typical plant generates between 1 and 2 MW of electricity, uses one third of the heat generated within the process and exports the remaining heat to community buildings. (Winner)
Breathing Buildings Ltd (formerly E-Stack) (https://www.e-stack.co.uk/) for their natural ventilation system which brings fresh air into a room at high level in winter and mixes it with sufficient interior air prior to its reaching occupants, thereby halving heating bills. In summer, fresh air enters at low levels to cool occupants directly and on the hottest days night cooling is used to reduce the temperature further. (Winner)
Brigade Electronics plc (https://www.brigade-electronics.com/) Brigade’s revolutionary “ssh ssh” sound reversing alarms are softer on the ear than the more irritating shrill “beep beep” of conventional tonal alarms. The broad band frequency dissipates quickly so that the sound is contained in the danger area, thereby making them suitable for night time deliveries. (Winner)
Bright Ideas Global (https://www.brightideasglobal.com/) The ecobutton is a unique power-saving device for computers developed to make it easy for users to activate the most efficient, economical standby mode available at any time their computer is to be left running idle. The ecobutton software ensures that both the computer and the monitor are set to operate in the most efficient sleep mode, typically drawing the same amount of power as when turned off. (Winner)
BuilderScrap (https://www.builderscrap.com/) is an internet exchange for surplus building materials, where construction firms can exchange items with one another and pass on unwanted clean surplus materials to charities and other voluntary organisations, thereby assisting with landfill avoidance, Site Waste Management Plans and resource and cost management. (Winner)
CIRIA (https://www.ciria.org/) The SDSPUR Learning Network develops and disseminates good practice on the sustainable management of assets and decommissioning wastes arising from nuclear sites. It focuses on three aspects: the management of low activity solid radioactive wastes, the management of solid non-radioactive wastes and the potential re-use of buildings, plant and equipment. (Winner)
Daikin Airconditioning UK (https://www.daikin.co.uk/) Daikin Altherma is a total domestic heating and hot water system based on air source heat pump technology. The product range has three distinct solutions: Split System with indoor and outdoor units which convert low grade heat to high grade heat; the Monobloc which has the pump and heat transfer all preassembled in one unit and the HT System which achieves up to 80 degrees C. (Winner)
Doosan Babcock (https://www.doosanbabcock.com/) for their OxyCoal Firing demonstration at Renfrew, Scotland. The process separates air into oxygen and nitrogen and the resulting flue gas, comprising CO2 and water vapour, can be compressed to allow the CO2 to be captured, with only a small amount of inert gases being vented. (Winner)
Evo Electric (https://www.evo-electric.com/) have developed an innovative plug-in hybrid electric powertrain concept for use in London black cabs and medium and heavy duty vehicles. The DuoDrive system offers one of the highest torque densities in the world at up to 15Nm/kg. (Commended)
Fostech Ltd (https://www.fostech.co.uk/) for Voluflow which improves the gravity separation of solids from liquids by generating horizontal, cross-flow patterns throughout all cross sections of the tank, replacing the upward flows that normally prevail and which are prone to recirculation, turbulence and flow rate sensitivity. The inlet converter smoothly interconnects a small, fixed, upright scroll-shaped baffle in the centre of the tank with a weir box and a scum board at the periphery. (Winner)
Hydro International (https://www.hydro-international.co.uk/) The Hydro Filterra Bioretention System is an enhanced biofiltration system that packages indigenous vegetation with engineered soils into a compact device that provides high levels of stormwater treatment in less than 1/10th the footprint of conventional biofilters. It uses natural mechanisms to remove harmful pollutants and can be newly or retro-fitted. (Winner)
Indigo Pearl Marine (https://www.energyinvestgroup.com/) is a joint venture between Energy Invest Group and Mowat Technical & Design Services. The Mer is like a water-wheel on its side but with adjusting blades. Standing 6m in diameter and 4m tall, or half those for shallow waters, it sits just below the water level and is suitable for river currents and tidal flows. (Commended)
Nexeon (https://www.nexeon.co.uk/) has developed new anode technology for lithium-ion batteries that will improve the performance of consumer electronics, energy storage and electric vehicles. Nexeon have demonstrated that the poor lifetime associated with silicon in batteries can be overcome and so the ten times greater energy capacity that silicon can deliver compared with graphite anode technology can be exploited. (Winner)
PassivSystems Ltd (https://www.passivsystems.com/) for their Adaptive Occupancy Control architecture that provides a display and an intelligent hub at the heart of the home which, through a mix of sensors, appliances and actuators automatically optimise energy usage. (Commended)
Point of Sport (https://pointofsport.com/) A powder impression moulding process is used to take pulverised dirty mixed plastic waste materials and fuses them together through heat and expansion to create a skin which is then shaped into a portable shelter for sports use. These dugouts are offered free to sports clubs and schools and offer the opportunity of significant waste plastic diversion from landfill. (Winner)
RockTron (https://www.rktron.com/) uses a traditional mining technology, ‘froth flotation’, to wash and separate the components of fly ash from coal-fired power stations to produce carbon that can be recycled by the power station and alumino-silicates for the cement industry. (Winner)
SA Vortex Ltd (https://www.savortex.com/) for their hand dryer which heats air without using electrical heating elements. It uses digital brushless technology to compress and spin air at high speed for rapid water evaporation. (Commended)
Terra Vac UK (https://www.terravac.co.uk/) is the first company in the UK to apply electric resistive heating (Six Phase Heating) to remediate chlorinated solvent contaminated land thoroughly and in-situ. In particular, the technology has been advanced to cope with varying geology. It involves the use of high-voltage electricity in the impacted soils and groundwater via electrode arrays. (Winner)
TwentyNinety (https://www.twentyninety.com/) has developed Active Array, a low cost wireless technology which embeds into each photovoltaic module in an array, to create the first intelligent PV system. The technology communicates with a central control unit and user PC to enable a significant improvement in safety and PV energy performance. (Winner)
University of Bath (https://www.bath.ac.uk/) The team have developed a revolutionary new price charging system which will encourage energy companies to produce electricity locally using renewable sources. It represents the first economic charging system that not only reflects the distance that electricity must travel to reach consumers but also the level of congestion of the travelling paths. (Winner)
University of Kent (https://www.kent.ac.uk/) Under a Technology Strategy Board-funded project in collaboration with RWE npower, the University of Kent have developed a technology that is capable of tracking the type of coal being fired in a power plant and monitoring the flame stability in an online continuous manner. This enables power stations to generate electricity from a wider range of fossil fuels and biomass under optimum conditions. (Commended)
The following organisations were successful in the Rushlight Awards 2008, either winning an award or being commended and shorlisted for their entry (see Press Releases for the specific results):
Air Products plc (www.airproducts.com), Imperial College London(www3.imperial.ac.uk) and Doosan Babcock Energy Ltd (www.doosanbabcock.com) for their process which removes mercury, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides byproducts of the combustion phase during the compression phase of oxyfuel combustion and captures CO2 for coal-fired power plants. This provides a cheaper and more direct way of addressing these contaminants than the removal technologies for air-fired combustion. (Winner)
Ampair (www.ampair.com) for the Ampair 6000, a 5.5m diameter Class 1 wind turbine that is suitable for grid connection or battery charging with a rated power of 6KW. It is a horizontal axis 3-bladed wind turbine of downwind layout with passive yaw control and a direct drive permanent magnet alternator. It has cold weather protection, reduced noise output and is marine grade, allowing installation anywhere in the world. (Winner)
AM Technology (www.amtechuk.com) High value chemicals have traditionally been manufactured in batch reactors. AM Technology have developed a new chemical reactor which allows manufacturers to evaluate large scale processes at low throughputs and make process development simpler and cheaper. The agitated cell reactor has 10 stirred stages within a single module, obviating the need for inter stage pipes, uses loose agitator inserts, vibrates as whole and can be upturned to empty. The process cuts out significant waste coming from the chemical development phase for manufacturers. (Winner)
Artemis Intelligent Power (www.artemisip.com) for their new hybrid vehicle technology, the Digital Displacement Hydraulic Hybrid. A retrofit of the system on a manual gearbox saloon produces a 50% reduction in fuel consumption on an urban cycle and is much cheaper than electric solutions. The combination of an ultra-efficient radial piston design, electronically controlled poppet valves and synchronized computer control avoids the typical high frequency whine of traditional hydraulics. The Judges said: “This entry incorporates fundamental advances in hydraulics with an innovative application in hybrid transmission. The potential of fuel savings of up to 50% in urban driving conditions means there is great scope for widespread applications.” (Winner)
Atmos Technologies (www. atmos-technologies.com) for their completely new method of producing photovoltaic power generating devices which can produce electricity at less than one tenth of the cost of existing silicon-based solar cells but at the same efficiency, without requiring a clean room or toxic ingredients. It is based on flame spraying or thermal deposition of semi-conductive transition metal oxides. Devices as large as 2 metres square can be made with this process. (Commended)
Connaught Engineering (www.connaughtengineering.com) for their HYBRID+ system, comprising an electric motor which is retrofitted to the vehicle drive line via a constantly variable transmission. During deceleration or braking, this motor performs like a dynamo and generates electricity which is then stored in supercapacitors which in turn can assist the vehicle engine when required, creating a fuel/ electric hybrid vehicle. The judges said: “Connaught Engineering has developed a means of hybridising existing vehicles, thereby achieving up to 25% improvements in fuel economy without the need for a heavy battery. Their hybridisation system is easily retrofitted to most existing vehicles and it therefore offers most car owners a relatively inexpensive way to reduce CO2 emissions.” (Winner)
Disenco plc (www.disenco.com) for their HomePowerPlant, a small and highly efficient micro combined heat and power appliance for domestic and small commercial use. It is based on a kinematic Stirling engine design using helium as its working gas. It reduces energy costs and CO2 emissions and is expected to be available to the market from the end of 2009. (Winner)
Envar Limited (www.envar.co.uk) The GICOM composting tunnel can accurately control and maintain even composting temperatures throughout all of the feedstock. It can therefore guarantee that all of the composting material reaches the pasteurization stage required by EU regulations, even when meat-based catering is included, in one pass through. The tunnels have heated walls and floors from hot water pipes ensuring that there are no cold spots. (Winner)
G&P Batteries Ltd (www.g-pbatt.co.uk) G&P Batteries have developed and run a waste battery collection and recycling system ahead of the forthcoming EU Batteries Directive. In the UK, 90% of waste lead acid batteries are recycled, but only 3% of portable batteries are recycled. In order to divert batteries away from landfill, G&P batteries developed the BattBox, a compact and fully recyclable container designed to encourage battery recycling in the workplace which is collected from each location by G&P Batteries’ own fleet of vehicles. The judges said: “We consider that their entry shows a whole systems approach to a practical issue. It is timely given the forthcoming Batteries Directive targets and as well as supplying a solution to a growing problem they have taken innovative approaches both operationally and in providing advice across handling, storage, transportation and recycling of batteries.” (Winner)
Industrial Noise & Vibration Centre (INVC) (www.invc.co.uk) Quiet Fan Technology is an innovative centrifugal fan noise control technology which reduces tonal noise at source at a fraction of the cost of traditional techniques such as silencers and enclosures. It also requires no maintenance, lasts the lifetime of the fan and can be retrofitted with little downtime. The technology involves fan specific aerodynamic inserts that fit inside the original fan casing and which modify the flow inside the fan by up to 99%. (Winner)
Intelligent Energy (www.intelligent-energy.com) Intelligent Energy developed a 20KW hydrogen fuel cell power system and helped to integrate it into a light aircraft with Boeing to create the world’s first manned fuel cell aircraft which enjoyed its maiden flight in February 2008. The power system fitted into the same envelope as the original engine and met all the performance standards of Boeing and the Spanish Civil Aviation Authority. (Winner)
Mitsubishi Electric (www. meuk.mee.com) for Ecodan, an air source heat pump which runs on a single-phase electrical circuit and which can regulate the energy consumption to ensure that it only consumes the exact energy needed to give a constant supply of hot water and heating. The result is a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 50% and 30% on costs. The judges commented on “the ease with which it can be installed, the diversity of residential dwellings it can be fitted to, cost recovery and the opportunity for reaching the mass market”. (Winner)
Mitsubishi Electric (www. meuk.mee.com) for their Green Gateway Initiative which is a comprehensive 10-point plan to reduce CO2 emissions, especially in connection with the commercial use of their heating and cooling equipment. (Commended)
Modec (www.modeczev.com) for their 98% recyclable, zero emission vehicle which can achieve a 100 mile range carrying up to 2 tonnes at up to 50mph on a single night’s charge using their zebra or lithium ion batteries, a 400% performance improvement on conventional batteries. (Commended)
Aymeric Girard at Napier University, Edinburgh (https://www.morganps.com/) for a software tool that optimizes clean energy technologies for the benefit of building designers. (Commended)
Novacem Ltd (www.novacem.com) for their new cement system which not only produces a significant reduction in CO2 emissions in production when compared with traditional cements, but also absorbs CO2 when hardening and so can lock CO2 into construction materials. The production of ~2 billion tonnes of cement every year is responsible for ~5% of global CO2 emissions. Novacem is developing the next generation of cement systems based on magnesium oxide. In contrast to standard cement, its production process causes minimal CO2 emissions. It hardens by absorbing CO2 and therefore offers the unique potential to lock atmospheric CO2 into construction materials. This means that for every tonne of standard cement replaced by Novacem cement, ~1 tonne of CO2 is captured and stored indefinitely, thus transforming the cement industry from a significant emitter to a significant absorber of CO2. The judges commented: “The potential impact of the Novacem technology is huge - providing an exciting opportunity to move an industry from being a significant climate change problem to being part of the solution.” (Winner)
OpenHydro (www.openhydro.com) for their Open-Centre Turbine has a single moving part installed directly on the seabed using a base design without the need for pinning, piling or drilling and deep enough to avoid any shipping hazard. The device then captures energy from tidal streams. Deployment can be completed within a single tidal cycle using their own specifically-designed Installer. The turbine features a horizontal axis rotor, with the rotor blades within an outer housing and having a large open centre, thereby minimizing both marine life risk and maintenance between overhauls. The Judges said: “An innovative approach to marine current turbine design that enhances performance, reduces maintenance, and results in lower adverse environmental impact. It can also be very rapidly deployed due to a novel installation arrangement which eliminates the need for sea-bed construction. The design has been successfully demonstrated at production scale and is on the point of being available for commercial use.” (Winner)
Orchid Environmental Ltd (www.orchid-environmental.co.uk). Orchid Environmental are behind the £13m demonstration centre at Huyton in Merseyside which was commissioned in April 2008. The facility diverts up to 80,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per annum away from landfill and creates a high quality refined biofuel and a range of recyclates. The light industrial style building is kept at negative pressure to manage odours which are then addressed by passing the vapours through a biofilter. (Winner)
Polypipe Civils (www.polypipe.com) The Polystorm range of modular cells provide an effective method for storm water to be channeled to end up either permeating naturally into the surrounding soil as a soakaway solution or being attenuated and discharged into the existing drainage system in a controlled manner. With a 40 tonne compression strength, it has a number of uses and at the end of its 50 year life, it can be 100% recycled. It provides an attractive alternative to the above-ground solutions to storm water being driven by the Future Water Strategy. The judges said: “This stormwater management innovation can be a major contribution to allowing existing urban drainage networks to cope with extreme precipitation events, which are predicted to become more frequent as a result of climate change. It has been developed in a very nice modular design which can be easily adjusted for use in a range of scales and applications.” (Winner)
Polypipe Civils (www.polypipe.com) Storm-X4 utilises a four-stage, upward flow technology to remove common pollutants such as silt, debris, detergents, hydrocarbons and heavy metals from storm rainwater washing over heavily-trafficked areas. Once the storm water enters the inlet, it is forced into a vortex which removes particulates. As the chamber fills up, the water is forced up through the filter which removes further solids and the filter substrate removes any heavy metals and hydrocarbons by chemical separation. Then there is the oil retention stage before the water is allowed to be discharged to a soakaway, attenuation structure or drain run. (Winner)
Pulse Tidal Ltd (www.pulsetidal.com) for their tidal power technology based on twin oscillating hydrofoils which, unlike many technologies addressing this source of energy, can be scaled up even in shallow water. By using two horizontal hydrofoils and controlling the angle of the foils, a single Pulse Stream Generator can interact with more than 5 times as much flow as a single rotary turbine, leading to a four-fold increase in unit capacity. The Judges said: “A highly innovative concept that could significantly extend the application of marine turbines by permitting their use in comparatively shallow waters but at large power levels. Initial laboratory tests have proven the viability of the approach which is now being extended to prototype stage.” (Commended)
PuriTech Ltd (www.puritech.co.uk) and ACWA Services Ltd (www.acwa.co.uk) for their NITREAT process which is a continuous ion exchange system for the removal of nitrates from drinking water. It replaces the fixed bed ion exchange process and enhances performance, reduces costs and minimizes waste. (Commended)
Pursuit Dynamics plc (www.pursuitdynamics.com) for their PDX Ethanol Reactor Tower which increases yield and reduces the cost of processing ethanol through instant low temperature starch activation, minimizing enzyme use and accelerating fermentation times. The tower uses a powerful pressure shock wave induced by injecting supersonic steam to activate all the starch at a lower temperature than conventional cooking. It can be retrofitted onto existing facilities on a small footprint. The judges said: “It enables a fixed volume of bioethanol to be produced from a significantly reduced amount of land or feedstock. This is particularly important at a time when the world is looking for creative solutions that allow us to produce both food AND fuel. The technology can be retro-fitted to existing bioethanol plants - which is important when you note the huge number of such plants already operating in the US and Brazil and Europe rapidly following suit.” (Winner)
Pursuit Dynamics plc (www.pursuitdynamics.com) The PDX Wort Heater enables brewers to save up to 50% of their energy consumption during the wort boiling process, which itself accounts for about 60% of a brewer’s total energy costs. It produces shorter cycle times, increased control over the stripping of wort volatiles and better mixing of adjuncts, lower steam consumption to remove volatiles, increased hydration and activation improving hop utilization and removes the need for dedicated external wort heater cleaning. (Winner)
REFLATED Consortium (www.ctechinnovation.com). The REFLATED process treats the waste liquid crystal display screens and recovers the maximum value from the panels, including the liquid crystal, indium metal and glass. The process can be integrated into existing waste processing facilities. As well as being a first as a whole, some of the individual processes are particularly novel, such as the removal of polymer films from the screens and the recovery and fraction of the liquid crystal. The judges said: “The REFLATED consortium have identified a process which forms a novel approach to the entire treatment of waste LCD screens. This is a clear technological advance allowing the treatment of a relatively new waste stream. It combines potentially significant environmental and economic benefits and we look forward to it making an impact soon.” (Winner)
Rural Generation Ltd (www.ruralgeneration.com) Rural generation provided a solution to a milk processing and bakery operation which produced 500 m3 of wastewater weekly from their equipment cleaning. Rather than transfer the waste water by road tanker to local waste water treatment works, it is treated in a surface aerated tank, settled to allow the effluent to be drawn off the top and the rest used to irrigate a plantation of short rotation coppice using a little-and-often methodology through pipes which is automatically controlled. (Winner)
Semplice Energy Ltd (www.semplice.co.uk) for their EcoSolutions which combine clean energy technologies in an optimal way for different types of business customers with vastly varying needs. (Commended)
Shaw Water Engineering Ltd (www.shawwater.com) Shaw Water Engineering have developed a fully-automated system for the real-time detection of cryptosporidium in drinking water to replace the comparatively slow and manual laboratory-based approach used until now. The Crypto Tect platform includes a sub-micron filtration system, auto-focusing microscope system, use of on-line spore-specific dyes and image interpretation software. The judges said: “the integration of several technologies to reduce the lead time and improve the accuracy of detection of cryptosporidium in drinking water supplies is a significant advance, to assure water quality and allow for a more rapid response in the event of a cryptosporidium outbreak.” (Winner)
Structure Vision Ltd (www.structurevision.com) for their Nuplant, a software product that serves to optimize the way in which intermediate- level nuclear waste is removed, packed and stored. It is a 3D modeling software that allows the user to view a 3D image of the plant for waste handling or complete decommissioning purposes. Through a powerful packing/ optimization algorithm which assesses the size and shape of intermediate-level waste, “what if” scenarios are run on various packing methodologies which enable the engineer to choose the optimal decommissioning process. (Winner)
Supacycle UK Ltd (www.supacycle.co.uk) for their innovative new wheeled bin and collection vehicle system, designed for the sole purpose of collecting household recycling materials. The method enables the recyclates to remain segregated throughout the collection process, eradicating the costly co-mingled MRF sorting process. (Commended)
TRAMPower (www.trampower.co.uk) for their CityClass Tram which is half the weight of traditional tram cars, uses off the shelf components and includes an innovative powered bogie where the 3 phase AC motor is body mounted and the power is transferred to the bogie by a modified HGV prop shaft and axle combination. (Commended)
University of Edinburgh undergraduates: Jeffrey Steynor, Nicola Petrie, John Morrissey, David Connolly, Douglas Craig, Cheuk (Henry) Lo, Richard Crosfield Sagivela, Edward Bolam and Jose Garcia. As part of a Royal Academy of Engineering-sponsored interdisciplinary project, this team of undergraduate engineering students developed the Estimator, a unique software tool for rapid appraisal of small hydro developments. It enables the complex range of possible combinations of components that make up small hydro schemes to be optimized on the basis of cost and productive capability, thereby facilitating the selection of promising schemes for further, more detailed design. (Winner)
Watermark Global plc (www.watermarkglobalplc.com) for their acid main drainage waste water treatment. Acid Main Drainage is the toxic water left in the voids after underground gold mining which is rich in sulphuric acid and metals. The process treats the water so that it reaches potable standards in an area where drinking water is scarce. (Commended)
Willis Renewable Energy Systems (www.willis-renewables.com) for their Solasyphon which is used to retrofit a solar thermal system into an existing hot water cylinder. The device uses a thermo-symphonic effect to provide hot water at usable temperatures within a short period of the sun striking the solar panels. This system avoids the installation of a twin coil cylinder which is normal in new solar thermal systems, thereby reducing the cost of installations by up to 50%. The Judges said: “A simple but elegant means of connecting domestic solar thermal heating devices into existing hot water systems without needing expensive storage tank replacement. It has large potential in the dominant retro-fit market and could potentially reduce system installation costs by up to 50% and so extend the penetration of renewable heat into the domestic market.” (Winner)
Wind Technologies Ltd (www.windtechs.co.uk) for their electrical generator system which can be used with all types of wind turbines. Their technology is based around their patented brushless doubly-fed induction generator, which replaces the more common slip-ring induction generator used in over 90% of wind power applications currently but which also are the source of a significant proportion of turbine down time. (Commended)
WISER Recycling Ltd (www.wiserwaste.co.uk) for their closed loop lamp recycling process. By using an onsite crusher, the TubeEater, to reduce volume, transport costs and emissions are minimized. The resulting cullet then is sold on for further lamp manufacture, rather than downgraded to aggregate usage which has been the norm. (Commended)
Zander Corporation (www.zandercorporation.com). Zander is an axonic lake sediment which has a high cation exchange capacity. It can therefore capture permanently heavy metals such as lead and cadmium and PCBs and PAHs from liquids such as hydrocarbons and aqueous salt solutions . After 2 years of use, the Zander can be dried to one-tenth of its volume and incinerated to reclaim the metals. (Winner)
The following organisations were successful in the Rushlight Awards 2007, either winning an award or being commended and shortlisted for their entry (see 2007 Rushlight Awards for the category results):
Alpheco for their combined heat and composting solution to food and other biodegradable waste, including sewage sludge cake. The process takes the biowaste and the temperature reaches more than 60C through heat pump technology in the Aergestors which are then loaded as roll on roll off truck bodies for direct compost delivery. The Aergestors can be easily scaled up and are suitable for any location to meet local heating and waste needs. (Commended)
Axon Automotive for their carbon fibre chassis technology which reduces the weight of cars significantly and creates a low aerodynamic drag, thereby improving fuel efficency. Unlike previous carbon fibre in sheets, Axon can produce beams with the added strength and usefulness in an automotive environment, including a 60% weight reduction. (Winner)
The Bobber Company for the Manchester Bobber, a wave device designed to operate in depths of water from 20m to 60m and consisting of an array of 25 floats sensitive to wave motion with each float connected to a 500KW autonomous power take-off drive train housed on the top of either a fixed bed or floating platform. (Winner)
Bracknell Forest Borough Council for their arrangement with Bohringer Ingelheim where industrial grey water is being used for irrigation in Bracknell Town Centre. (Winner)
Connaught Engineering for their HYBRID+ system, comprising an electric motor which is retrofitted to the vehicle drive line via a constantly variable transmission. During deceleration or braking, this motor performs like a dynamo and generates electricity which is then stored in supercapacitors which in turn can assist the vehicle engine when required, creating a fuel/ electric hybrid vehicle. (Winner)
Ceres Power and Centrica for their wall-mountable integrated fuel cell microCHP unit which can provide heating, hot water and electricity in a domestic setting. Using the same water, electricity and gas connections as normal boilers, these new systems can replace conventional boilers and offer 20% reduction on running costs, significant carbon emission reductions and a 5 year payback at current prices. (Winner)
C-Tech Innovation for their WEEE management analytical tool that allows an economic assessment via the waste hierarchy approach of end of life options for electrical and electronic items (from a cost perspective) to be made. (Winner)
Dulas for their solar-powered fridges for children vaccines and blood in the third world. (Specially commended)
Environmental Power International for their biomass system that converts organic matter into high energy gas, a carbon rich char and a distillate oil through a heated, pressured, anaerobic process. (Winner)
Envirotreat Ltd for their stabilization technology E-Clay, which can be used in the remediation of land and marine environments. (Winner)
G24 Innovations for their commercial grade Dye Sensitised Thin Film solar cells, which contain no silicon and are capable of producing electricity in low light. When combined with the proprietary roll-to-roll manufacturing process that they have developed which can accommodate large volume production, this translates into a viable and affordable technology worldwide. (Winner)
Geothermal International for their ground source heat pump solutions in a variety of bespoke locations and situations. (Winner)
Greenbank Group UK for their pulverized fuel diffuser, the H-VARB. This is a fluidic mixer in a geometric shape which breaks particle ropes and so enables there to be an even mix of material and air, thereby minimizing both carbon-in-ash and nitrous oxide emissions. (Winner)
Intelligent Energy for their Emissions Neutral Vehicle (ENV) Fuel Cell motorbike, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell motorbike which is based around their advanced fuel cell systems and produces only pure water at the tail pipe. (Commended)
KIV (Energia Ltd) for their incorporation of a flue gas scrubbing system on to an energy from waste plant. Finely ground sodium bicarbonate powder is blown into the flue gases upstream of the filter where the acid gases, furans and dioxins are absorbed by mixing in some activated carbon powder. The back pressure is computer monitored for automatic clean down with compressed air. (Winner)
Lysanda for their Eco-Log on-board device that gathers performance and emission data from a moving vehicle and then transmits that data back to a fleet management centre. (Commended)
Naturalwatt for their Microgrid system, a microgeneration and storage system which optimizes the performance of conventional microgeneration equipment to produce a “domestic power station” of renewable energy. The system allows both import and export of energy, together with generation and usage data. (Commended)
Norfolk Solar for their Broadsol scheme which provides professionally designed solar hot water systems at lower than current market prices to consumers for self-installation, together with the necessary training. (Commended)
Northern Gas Networks/ United Utilities for their reliable means of recycling spoil from road works into a consistent and commercially-viable material called cement-bound excavated material version 3 (CBEM3) which is used to backfill road works trenches and is being tested with the aim of becoming the first recycled product to be approved for use under the New Roads and Street Works Act. (Winner)
Ocean Energy for their OE Buoy Intermediate Scale Device which is currently being tested at the Galway Bay Test Site, near Spiddal. It is a wave device with a Wells turbine and generator and incorporating an oscillating water column duct which responds to subsurface pressure due to wave motion. The wave energy capture is high in normal conditions and is limited in storm conditions which ensures safe operation. The whole power take-off system has one moving part and sits above the waterline. (Winner)
Quietrevolution for their high-performance, triple helix vertical axis wind turbine, capable of effective operation in a turbulent urban setting with a 30% improved efficiency over “propeller style” turbines and with significant noise reduction. (Winner)
Solarcentury for their C21e solar electric roof tile which replaces four conventional roof tiles and is fixed directly to the roof battens. Installation is undertaken by a roofer with the leads passed into the roof space for an electrician to complete the wiring. The integrated thru-flow ventilation enhances the PV performance which achieves a 22% efficiency. (Winner)
SoundDeadSteel.Com for Sonphonon, their steel or aluminium sheets which absorb noise and vibration. The process involves constrained layer damping and enables a 2mm aluminium plate to reduce vibration by 20db compared with standard products. (Winner)
Synchropulse for their innovative electric motor which uses a quarter of the electricity of a conventional motor, can be manufactured more cheaply and offers variable speed control with the ensuing further energy savings, resulting in a one year payback on investment. (Winner)
TEG Environmental Ltd for their silo cage composting process which copes with all organic waste. It involves a single pass through of waste, a modular design allowing for easy expansion, low odour, no forced aeration or agitation and the ability to process multiple waste streams. (Winner)
Tellisford Mill for their run-of-river micro-hydro electric turbine and 55kW generator at a watermill in Somerset on the River Frome. (Winner)
Thermomax for their Vacuum Tube Solar Thermal Collector which uses vacuum technology to ensure the most effective transfer of solar energy into heat. A row of evacuated glass tubes and a highly insulated water manifold provide perfect insulation from weather vagaries. The design is a simple click together or plug and play fixing and the configuration can deliver up to 30% more energy than a standard solar arrangement. (Commended)