5th Annual Energy Innovation Awards & Gala Dinner

A low energy ventilation system swept the board at the Energy Innovation Awards in Norwich.

The system, developed by a spin-off company from Cambridge University, is already making an impact in school classrooms.

Developed by technology company e-stack, it not only took the top honour but also won the new Low Carbon Trophy.

"We'd hoped for an award but never dreamed we would get two. It came as a bit of a shock," said Shaun Fitzgerald, managing director of e-stack, which also provided a natural ventilation system for the Chapelfield shopping mall in Norwich.

"The success in this competition is important for raising our profile and means further recognition for what we are doing from an independent body."

He told the judges that half of energy consumption in the developed world was by buildings.

"Nearly every building that goes up nowadays is a furnace."

It means interior spaces are kept at comfortable temperature in cold or warm weather but were also replenished with fresh air to jeep CO2 levels low.

As well as school classrooms, the system was suitable for halls, theatres and auditoria, and to provide low energy ventilation for office buildings and houses.

Runner-up for the Innovation Award was Coati, from Hethel, with its pioneering surface coating to give lifetime protection against corrosion on valves, pipework and metallic equipment, with particular applications in the energy industry.

The presentations were staged at the Holiday Inn, Norwich International Airport, and followed by a gala dinner attended by about 170 people.

Guest speaker was Nick Goodall, special advisor to the chairman, Energy Networks Association.

Judges for the awards were David Copp, managing partner of sponsors Dummett Copp; Dr Chris Harrison, director of programme for Carbon Connections, sponsors of the Low Carbon Award; John Balch, strategic director of Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Service; Mark Aspinall, UEA head of innovation; and Dr Cameron Stewart, head of technology and innovation for BERR.

The 2008 finalists were: (in alphabetical order)

CarbonAqua - Optimise Energy Use, Reduce CO2 Emissions & Increase Profits - NOW!
Coati Ltd - Innovative, environmentally friendly corrosion preventing coatings
EDF Energy - Dynamic Energy Storage, Martham, Norfolk
E-Stack Ltd - E-Stack Low Energy Ventilation System
Fern Communications - Fern Repeater: FRX-1 & FRW-1
GenDrive Ltd - A novel inverter to reduce renewable energy installation costs
OPITO - Skills Screening - "Put Your Knowledge to the Test"
Parasol Panel Systems LLP - ParaClad Insulated Panel System