The Manchester Prize returns to foster AI innovation in clean energy, offering substantial rewards.
- Initially announced during the 2023 Spring Budget, the prize supports projects decarbonising the UK’s electricity grid.
- With a £2m fund, it aims to accelerate green power targets by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
- Eligible UK-led teams can include international partners, advancing global AI collaboration.
- Applications close by 17 January 2025, inviting diverse solutions to energy challenges.
The Manchester Prize has reappeared, ready to invigorate AI advancements within the realm of clean energy. Initially announced by Jeremy Hunt in the 2023 Spring Budget, this competition is a strategic effort by the British government to harness technology for environmental benefits.
The prize offers a £2m fund aimed at projects that can significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the UK grid. This initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to achieving fully sustainable electricity by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050. The competition is managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in collaboration with Challenge Works.
AI Minister Feryal Clark highlighted the potential impacts of artificial intelligence on various life sectors. She noted that the Manchester Prize’s second iteration would be essential in driving innovations that ensure a secure and clean energy future in the UK. Clark reiterated that AI’s influence spans beyond energy, impacting healthcare and other sectors significantly.
Paul Monks, chief scientific adviser at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, emphasised the pressing climate and nature crises. He remarked that ambitious AI applications across energy systems’ development and operations are crucial. Monks expressed support for the Manchester Prize’s encouragement of decarbonisation initiatives through artificial intelligence.
The competition is open to UK-led teams, although they may collaborate with international partners on individual projects. This openness allows for a diverse range of innovative approaches to emerging energy challenges. Interested parties must submit their applications before midday on 17 January 2025, ensuring their projects align with the competition’s rigorous criteria.
The previous year saw finalists such as Aiolus, which developed an AI digital twin project, AssetScan with its infrastructure defect management system, and Greyparrot Insight’s waste-detecting tool. These projects exemplify the innovative spirit that the Manchester Prize seeks to nurture within the AI community.
The Manchester Prize stands as a critical catalyst in the pursuit of a sustainable and decarbonised energy future.
