- A British and two Russian scientists awarded before an audience of 350 people at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum - They met with President Putin - UK PM Cameron sent a note of congratulations

MOSCOW, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Before an audience of 350 scientists, innovators and economic world leaders three scientists who have devoted their lives to scientific research in the field of cryogenics received today the Global Energy International Prize 2012. UK Professor, Mr. Rodney John Allan, and two members of the Russian Academy of Science, Mr. Valery Kostyuk and Mr. Boris Katorgin were presented with one of the world's most respected awards in the energy sector. On behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin, the President of Rusneft, Mr. Igor Sechin congratulated the laureates during the official award ceremony at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"On behalf  of the President of the Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin I have the great honour to congratulate the laureates of the 'Global Energy', and would like to convey you his message of deep gratitude for your self-sacrificing work, which benefits and will benefit present and future generations," said Mr. Sechin. "I wish you every success in your future endeavours."

The Laureates had the opportunity to meet with the President of Russia during "The Energy Club Summit: Technical Innovation and the Remaking of Global Energy Markets" later in the afternoon, after the Award Ceremony.

Each year the Global Energy Prize awards outstanding achievements and innovations in the field of energy science. For 2012 the International Award Committee acclaimed research in the field of cryogenics which is of growing importance for the future of the energy sector.

"Energy production is the basic necessity on which our current civilisation and our future development depend," said Professor Rodney Allam during his speech.

Thanking for the Award he continued: "We need high efficiency fossil fuel power systems with near 100 per cent CO2 capture and lower generation costs than the best current polluting systems. I am also working on the production of liquid transportation fuels from natural gas. Let us be optimistic. These problems can be solved. Russia's position as a leading producer of fossil fuel will benefit from this work."

The Russian scientists, both members of the Russian Academy of Sciences– Mr. Boris Katorgin and doctor Valery Kostyuk – also expressed their positive thoughts about research developments.

Mr. Kostyuk who is working on the implementation of the cryogenic technology in high-temperature superconductor materials noted: "My area continues to expand and has a great perspective for being used in Aerospace and Energy sectors. I deeply believe that the partnership between the Government and the science world will bring momentum for Russian research and scientific studies."

Mr. Boris Katorgin highlighted: "Communication, navigation, TV and radio broadcasting, the study of the Sun, planets and galaxies - all received new opportunities thanks to highly efficient and reliable rocket engines as well as development of unique and specific technologies." Mr. Katorgin uses his broad scientific expertise in cryogen fuel components for research projects to develop cryostatting plants for superconducting electrotechnical systems. 

The Laureates were praised by the UK Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, who sent a note saying: "I would like to congratulate the British and Russian laureates for this year's Global Energy International Prize. British Professor Allam's research in cryogenics and carbon free energy systems has been vital for the development of energy efficient applications not least in the automobile and space rockets industries. This is timely given the UK Russia Year of Space 2011-12."

"Work on improved energy efficiency is vital to the sustainability of the global economy and to our future and I look forward to continued co-operation between the UK and Russia on global issues such as energy and climate security," he continued. "I would also like to congratulate the other two prize winners from the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academicians Kostyuk and Katorgin, for their strong contributions to this area."

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the International Global Energy Prize Awards Ceremony.

The Laureates Bios:

Mr. Valery Kostyuk is a member of the Russian Academy of Science and director of the Low Temperature R&D Institute at Moscow Aviation Institute. Under his leadership and direct participation, research has been conducted into processes of heat transfer and hydrodynamics of cryogenic liquids, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, neon, fluorine, ammonia and freons, when boiling in conditions of forced flow and large volume (information on liquid fluorine were the first obtained in world practice). Mr. Kostyuk is a permanent co-chair and member of the organising committee of Russia-EU Energy and Geopolitics European club, organising annual forums on energy relations between Europe and Russia, including Europe's energy security strategy, city power supply and security, consequences of the economic crisis on global oil and gas markets and alternative energy and the environment.

Mr. Boris Katorgin is a renowned Russian scientist and a product engineer in the field of power engineering, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, member and director of R&D group for development of high-efficiency liquid propellant rocket engines (LPRE) for peaceful use of Outer Space. He dedicated 52 years of efforts to this scientific area working for the same research and production association – NPO "Energomash named after academician V.P. Glushko". He is the director of Educational and Scientific Center "Physical and power engineering systems" at Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) and the Department Chairman at this Institute.

Professor Rodney John Allam is a leading chartered engineer, a member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers with a bachelor's degree in chemical technology. Rodney Allam is a visiting professor at Imperial College of Science and Technology in London. He is the chief technology officer at GTLpetrol LLC. Professor Allam is Director of Technology Development, member of the board of directors of Air Products and Chemicals pls. Mr Rodney Allam has participated in the development of new processes and new equipment for production of gases and cryogenic liquids (O2, N2, Ar, CO, CO2, H2, He) and for development of technologies for using these gases, including for electricity production and other uses in the power industry.

About the Global Energy Prize

The Global Energy Prize awards over US$1m each year, and thus far has been granted to 27 scientists from around the globe, including past Laureates from the US, Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Russia, Ukraine and Japan. The President of the Russian Federation participates in each year's award ceremony held at the conclusion of a week-long celebration of the awardees' work, Laureates' Week. Other world leaders who have supported the prize include the former US President George W. Bush, former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, former French President Jacques Chirac and current Canadian Prime Minister, Steven Harper.

The Prize rewards innovation and solutions in global energy research and its concurrent environmental challenges. The degree to which a development contributes to the benefit of humanity is a key driver in deciding the recipient of the Prize.

http://www.globalenergyprize.org/en/

http://twitter.com/#!/ge_prize

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