Global surge in energy innovation as TERA-Award draws record-breaking 785 entries
Alan Chan, Executive Chairman of the TERA-Award Organising Committee
HONG KONG, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a testament to the accelerating global push for climate tech solutions, this year's TERA-Award has drawn innovators from around the world, shattering previous participation records. The smart energy competition closed applications in early April with 785 submissions from 76 countries and regions—the highest in its four-year history.
Behind the impressive statistics lies a tapestry of innovation across six categories, with Renewable Energy leading the pack. Competitors have submitted ideas across green fuels, hydrogen technology, smart energy systems, and sustainable infrastructure—all aimed at addressing the world's most pressing energy challenges.
'What we're seeing is a remarkable global convergence around energy innovation,' says Alan Chan, Executive Chairman of the TERA-Award Organising Committee. 'This surge in participation confirms that the TERA-Award has become a global platform for identifying and nurturing tomorrow's energy solutions.'
The competition's international reach has expanded significantly. The US contributed 12.5% of entries, whilst the UK and India followed with 6.2% and 8.7% respectively. Applications from the Chinese mainland (18.1%) and Hong Kong (5.5%) remained strong, but the growing participation from Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas signals the global nature of the energy innovation ecosystem.
Beyond its US$1 million grand prize, the TERA-Award has a proven track record of transforming ideas into commercial reality. Previous participant i2Cool recently closed its Series A funding with support from competition organiser Towngas. Its electricity-free cooling coatings are now deployed internationally, demonstrating the TERA-Award's impact beyond mere recognition.
Similarly, Luquos Energy used Towngas's backing after participating in the competition to scale up its sulphur-based flow battery system, with a demonstration project now running in Shenzhen. These examples illustrate how the TERA-Award accelerates their solutions from lab to market.
Attention now shifts to the judging phase led by Professor Cui Yi, a world-renowned materials scientist from Stanford University. The expert panel will evaluate the submissions on technological innovation, commercial viability, scalability, and potential global impact.
Winners will be announced in July 2025, but for many participants, the real prize extends beyond the monetary award. The TERA-Award, empowered by Full Vision Capital, offers top teams access to industry leaders, potential investors, and strategic partners—resources often more valuable than the funding alone.
For enquiries, please contact:The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)
Tel: +852 2963 3493 Email: cad@towngas.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/514007ad-2257-4658-a9e5-c24870dd9fb1Sign in to access your portfolio
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
5 minutes ago
- The Hill
Doug Ford urges Canada's leader to ramp up tariffs on US
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pressuring Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney to ramp up tariffs against the United States after President Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum earlier this week. 'I highly recommended to the prime minister directly that we slap another 25 percent on top of our tariffs to equal President Trump's tariffs on our steel,' Ford said during his Wednesday appearance on CNN's 'Situation Room.' 'He has to, he has to start looking around the world at China and other locations that are taking Chinese steel and really stop the flow of steel. That's the problem,' Ford told host Wolf Blitzer. 'Canada is not the problem. Again. We purchased 30 billion, with a 'B,' of steel off the US, and that's going to come to an end real quick.' Trump signed the executive order to hike the tariffs on Tuesday. The measure went into effect on Wednesday and would levy steel and aluminum tariffs on almost all imports to the U.S.. The United Kingdom is exempt as it inked a trade deal with Washington last month. Canada has retaliated against the U.S. previously, slapping a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on U.S. aluminum and steel products. Carney, who met with Trump at the White House in early May, did not express readiness to implement Ford's suggestion. 'We will take some time, not much, some time because we are in intensive discussions right now with the Americans on the trading relationship,' Carney said to reporters on Wednesday, according to Politico. 'Those discussions are progressing. I would note that the American action is a global action. It's not one targeted in Canada, so we will take some time, but not more,' the prime minister said. Ontario is open to imposing its own countermeasures, according to Ford. When asked on Wednesday if willing to bring back the electricity surcharge, he told reporters that 'everything's on the table.' Ontario implemented a 25 percent extra charge on the electricity Canada exports to three U.S. states after Trump threatened to double tariffs on steel and aluminum. Ford eventually spoke to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and later suspended the tax impacting Michigan, New York and Minnesota.
Hamilton Spectator
12 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus US authorities say was smuggled in from China?
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors charged two Chinese researchers on Tuesday with smuggling a crop-killing fungus into the U.S. last summer — charges that come amid heightened political tensions between the two countries and as the Trump administration moves to revoke visas from visiting Chinese students. Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud for allegedly bringing the fungus Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. Jian, 33, was booked in a Detroit federal court. Liu, 34, is thought to be in China. According to the FBI, Liu had small baggies of the fungus stashed in his backpack when he flew to the U.S. last year and, after claiming ignorance about the plant material inside them, said he was planning to use it for research at a University of Michigan lab where Jian worked and where Liu previously worked. What is Fusarium head blight? Fusarium graminearum causes a disease called Fusarium head blight that can wipe out cereal crops such as wheat, barley and maize and rice — it inflicts $1 billion in losses annually on U.S. wheat and barley crops, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It isn't the only fungus to cause Fusarium head blight, but it's the most common culprit in the U.S. The fungus infects plants early in the growing season, shriveling wheat grains and blanching crop heads a whitish-tan color. It also causes a toxin to accumulate in wheat kernels that can make them unsafe for people and livestock to eat. Nicknamed 'vomitoxin' because it's most known for causing livestock to throw up, it can also cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache and fever in animals and people. Wheat and other grain crops are screened for various toxins, including Fusarium graminearum, before they can be used to feed animals and humans. Farmers have to throw out any infected grains, which can cause devastating losses. 'It's one of the many problems that farmers have to deal with that risks their livelihood,' said David Geiser, a Fusarium expert at Penn State. What are the accusations? Although Jian and Liu are accused of smuggling Fusarium graminearum into the country, the fungus is already prevalent in the U.S. — particularly in the east and Upper Midwest — and scientists have been studying it for decades. Researchers often bring foreign plants, animals and even strains of fungi to the U.S. to study them, but they must file certain permits before moving anything across state or national borders. Studying the genes of a foreign fungus strain, for example, can help scientists learn how it tolerates heat, resists pesticides or mutates. 'We look at variations among individuals just like we do humans,' said Nicole Gauthier, a plant pathologist at the University of Kentucky who studies Fusarium. That said, it's unclear why the Chinese researchers might have wanted to bring that strain of Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. and why they didn't fill out the proper paperwork to do so. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Boston Globe
14 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus US authorities say was smuggled in from China?
Advertisement Toxic plant pathogens that a Chinese scientist entered the US last year stashed in his backpack. Uncredited/Associated Press What is Fusarium head blight? Fusarium graminearum causes a disease called Fusarium head blight that can wipe out cereal crops such as wheat, barley and maize and rice — it inflicts $1 billion in losses annually on U.S. wheat and barley crops, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up It isn't the only fungus to cause Fusarium head blight, but it's the most common culprit in the U.S. The fungus infects plants early in the growing season, shriveling wheat grains and blanching crop heads a whitish-tan color. It also causes a toxin to accumulate in wheat kernels that can make them unsafe for people and livestock to eat. Nicknamed 'vomitoxin' because it's most known for causing livestock to throw up, it can also cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache and fever in animals and people. Advertisement Wheat and other grain crops are screened for various toxins, including Fusarium graminearum, before they can be used to feed animals and humans. Farmers have to throw out any infected grains, which can cause devastating losses. 'It's one of the many problems that farmers have to deal with that risks their livelihood,' said David Geiser, a Fusarium expert at Penn State. A colonization of Fusarium head blight, a costly fungal disease, growing on field-grown hemp in Kentucky on Sept. 29, 2020. Uncredited/Associated Press What are the accusations? Although Jian and Liu are accused of smuggling Fusarium graminearum into the country, the fungus is already prevalent in the U.S. — particularly in the east and Upper Midwest — and scientists have been studying it for decades. Researchers often bring foreign plants, animals and even strains of fungi to the U.S. to study them, but they must file certain permits before moving anything across state or national borders. Studying the genes of a foreign fungus strain, for example, can help scientists learn how it tolerates heat, resists pesticides or mutates. 'We look at variations among individuals just like we do humans,' said Nicole Gauthier, a plant pathologist at the University of Kentucky who studies Fusarium. That said, it's unclear why the Chinese researchers might have wanted to bring that strain of Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. and why they didn't fill out the proper paperwork to do so.
