WELS, Austria, November 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

More than 40 Nations Are Celebrating at the Energy Globe World Award Ceremony in Wels, Austria

- Cross reference: Picture is available via epa european pressphoto agency and can be downloaded free of charge at: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/11306/inhalt/bilder -

This year's Energy Globe World Award goes to Alberta/Canada for the project "Drake Landing Solar Community" represented by Doug Mc Clenahan.  52 homes of the Drake Landing Solar Community in Okotoks, Alberta are profiting from an ingenious system where heat from the summer sun its stored below the surface of the earth. In winter it is used to meet 80% of the community's entire energy needs. The project was also winner in the category "fire".

The audience had the final word and chose the award recipient from five individual categories, who was presented with the golden Energy Globe Statue by Austrian economics minister Reinhold Mitterlehner and Energy Globe founder Wolfgang Neumann. Bright smiles, delight and enthusiastic applause accompanied the ceremony on the Wels stage. "Thank you Austria, I still can hardly believe it …" Amidst a flurry of camera flashlights Mc Clenahan displayed the 15 kilogram Energy Globe trophy. The winners of the individual category awards, who had come from many different parts of the world were overjoyed as well. They were participating in the Energy Globe Award ceremony in hopes of receiving awards for their great work and efforts on behalf of a better environment.

Representatives from over 40 countries, more than 1000 guests who had been invited to the ceremony, top-ranking laudatory speakers and a huge crowd of press and television representatives gathered at the Fair Grounds Conference Center in the Upper Austrian city of Wels for this year's Environmental Gala of superlatives. "All these projects represent tomorrow's solutions. This great pioneering spirit of  innovation will ensure that our planet will remain a worthwhile home for our children as well," Energy Globe founder, Wolfgang Neumann, is convinced. His Energy Globe project that annually attracts participants from 100 countries and more than 1000 individual projects publically demonstrates how energy can be used in an efficient manner anywhere in the world. It shows how greater quality of life can be achieved while at the same time creating a boost for the economy.

The Energy Globe Award Winners in the following different categories demonstrated how this is done:

Category EARTH: The Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Russia, designed a passive-energy house whose special construction consists of all-around insulation and uses solar energy to provide 22 degrees centigrade of heating in your living room, even in the freezing cold of Siberia, at the same time preventing these houses from sinking into the permafrost ground. Laudatory speaker: Dr. Gesa Köberle, Vice President, Energy Globe Foundation.

Category FIRE/Energy Globe World Award Winner: A park that is used for heat storage! 52 homes of the Drake Landing Solar Community in Okotoks, Alberta (Canada) are profiting from an ingenious system where heat from the summer sun its stored below the surface of the earth. In winter it is used to meet 80% of the community's entire energy needs. Laudatory speaker: Len Pagano, CEO, Safe America Foundation.

Category WATER: A clean solution with solar water-pumps by AsoFenix in Nicaragua is now providing many people with access to clean water, at the same time teaching villagers how to become proficient in water management. Laudatory speaker: Professor Edward Ayensu, former president of the World Bank's Inspection Panel.

2 Winners in the Category AIR: In the port of Gothenborg, Sweden, cargo ships are now powering up with clean energy from a wind-powered power outlet! No more smelly and noisy diesel engines, but instead power straight from nature. Swiss retailer Migros is also opting for clean energy in many different ways. Through photovoltaic systems, energy management and many others efforts this company is a true climate protector. Laudatory speaker: Austrian minister of economics, Reinhold Mitterlehner.

Category YOUTH: According to their motto Appreciate Nature-Protect Nature, the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust in Zambia is working on creating awareness for young people in the area of ecosystems. One of their examples of success is the South Luangwa Valley which is heavily strained by unbridled tourism. Laudatory speaker: Leanne Liddle, Australian Bush Heritage Board Member

All info can be downloaded from http://www.energyglobe.info

Energy Globe: Cornelia Kirchweger, T: +43-7617-2090-30, cornelia.kirchweger@energyglobe.com

SOURCE Energy Globe Foundation