Top Nine Energy Contests with Big Payouts

Most people agree that protecting the environment and developing cleaner, more efficient technologies are commendable goals, but sometimes people need a little push to get them going. And occasionally that push takes the form of a huge cash prize. Here are ten examples of contests that take that principle to heart: the Top 10 Green Contests with huge payouts. Whether the prize is a pile of money or a boatload of prestige, these are the top of the line, high profile competitions that get inventors, engineers and regular people excited for a more energy efficient future.

1. X-Prize Foundation Automotive Prize

The Competition:

The X-Prize Foundation was established to spur innovation and accelerate progress in a variety of areas. Their Energy and Environment branch has partnered with Progressive Insurance to create the Automotive X-Prize for clean cars. A rigorous stage competition and a battery of tests will evaluate each entry. The goal: a car that exceeds 100 mpg (or the energy equivalent) that people will want to buy. The roadway competition will be held at Michigan International Speedway. The competition ends at the end of June 2010.

Payout: This year, the Automotive X-Prize will give out an incredible $10,000,000+ in cash to winning entries. [1]

2. Ignite Clean Energy/Cleantech Open Competition

The Competition:

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, through MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge, this competition is for green energy businesses still in their early stages. A panel of judges reviews business plans, entered by new (or planned) businesses around the country. In each region, a winning team is chosen, and one of those teams will go on to receive the coveted national grand prize. Teams also receive benefits just for entering, including access to events, computer tools and feedback from a mentor. The goal of the competition is to promote clean energy by give a promising green startup a leg up in the competitive world of business.

Payout: $25,000 for regional finalists and $250,000 for one grand prize winner. [2]

An entry from 2007:

3. Solar Decathlon

The Competition:

Every year, teams from around the world compete in the great Solar Decathlon. The object of the competition is to design a beautiful, livable, and energy-efficient home that produces as much energy—or, even better, more energy than it consumes. There are a variety of categories for the competing teams to gear themselves towards; awards are given for architectural design, interior climate control, market appeal, affordability and several others. Last year, Team Germany came away with the overall gold for their ingenious solar house design.

The Payout: There is no cash prize for the Solar Decathlon, but that doesn’t seem to stop dozens of globetrotting teams from pouring their hearts and souls into the effort. In some cases, prestige is the best reward of all. [3]

4. The L-Prize

The Competition:

The L-Prize is the only competition of its kind that encourages engineers to reinvent the light bulb. The incandescent bulb, which Thomas Edison invented in the 19th century, changed the world so profoundly that it itself has become symbolic of the bright idea. Contestants in the lighting competition seek to repeat that level of success and prove that light-ning can strike twice. There are two categories in the L-Prize, one to reinvent the typical 60 watt bulb using 10 watts or less of power, and another for a replacement for halogen PAR 38 lamps. Heavy hitters like Phillips have already sent in entries, and with such a large prize at stake, as well as the renown that comes with it, that’s no surprise.

The Payout: There will be two big winners in the L-Prize: $10 million for the 60 watt incandescent replacement and $5 million for the halogen lamp. [4]

Video (Blue OLED from Phillips):

5. National Building Competition

The Competition:

Presented by the EPA in cooperation with Energy Star, the National Building Competition is basically the energy efficiency version of ABC’s “The Biggest Loser.” The contest is not among people, but among buildings, each vying to shed the most points in their energy intensity ratings. Hundreds of buildings from schools to hotels to skyscrapers entered the competition before the judges narrowed it down to just fourteen. You can follow the competing finalists on Twitter and Facebook, or learn more about what they’re doing to become more energy efficient on the contest’s website.

The Payout: Priceless. There’s no cash prize for this contest, but the satisfaction of being the biggest energy loser is immeasurable. [5]

6. Cayman “Summer Splash”

The Competition:

Sponsored by Cayman Islands board of tourism, this competition is a little more laid back than most. Contestants must prove to the world that they and their family are “protectors of the environment.” How? By posting pictures, stories and video on the Cayman Summer Splash website. The photos and tales of environmental stewardship are displayed online where anyone can view them, and the winning entry is selected by the people. Every vote cast is a vote for the environment!

The Payout: The family photo that garners the most clicks will win an all expense paid trip to the Cayman Islands. Not bad for a photograph. [6]

7. Shining Example (New York)

The Competition:

Entering into this contest is easy; any New Yorker can do it, and all that’s required is that they switch their light bulbs over from incandescent to compact fluorescent. It may not seem like a big deal, but if the NYSERDA meets its goals, this effort to transform home lighting alone will save the state one million kilowatt hours of energy. The winners of the contest will be announced on June 29, 2010 at the electrifying EcoMarket in Union Square, NYC.

The Payout: Winners will receive Energy Star Home Performance appliances to help make their homes even more efficient, but the real payout is in energy savings. Thousands of people have already taken the challenge and switched their lights to more efficient bulbs. [7]

8. Imagine H20 Prize: Water Energy Nexus

The Competition:

Most people don’t think of water in energy costs, but the fact is that it takes considerable energy to treat and transport water to consumers. The Water Energy Nexus prize will be given out to teams of entrepreneurs who innovate new ways to treat or transport drinking water and/or waste water. This vital-but-extremely-energy-intensive process currently accounts for over 3% of total energy usage in the US. The competition is open to any company, start-up or established, that serves water or waste water needs and holds energy efficiency as an important value and selling point.

The Payout: In total, $70,000 in cash and services will be given out in the ’09/10 season. Winning teams will receive $15,000 each. [8]

9. The H-Prize

The Competition:

In 2007 the H-Prize was enacted through congress as a government-sponsored push toward clean, hydrogen power. The large cash prize and prestige attached to the contest has rapidly made it the premier green innovation competition in America. A major force in hydrogen power and fuel cell research and development, the Automotive H-Prize is awarded to a company or individual who is able to develop an “on board hydrogen storage material” system for light-duty vehicles (like motorcycles or sedans).

The Payout: The winner of the prize will receive a cash payout of $1,000,000. [9]