MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --The names of the laureates of the Global Energy Prize 2026 were announced at the plenary session of the Oil Summit of the Republic of Tatarstan. This year's winners are two scientists from the United States and a researcher from Switzerland.
In the "Traditional Energy" nomination, the prize was awarded to Yilu Liu, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee, for the creation of large-scale systems for monitoring, control and situational observation of smart grids.
In the "Non-Traditional Energy" nomination, the prize was awarded to Yushan Yan, Director of the Center for Clean Hydrogen at the University of Delaware, for forward-looking ideas and work facilitating clean hydrogen production technology and progress in transforming this technology into a global commercial project.
In the "New Ways of Energy Application" nomination, the prize was awarded to Johann W. Kolar, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, for breakthrough advancement in energy conversion technology to drive energy efficiency, electric mobility, and renewable energy systems.
The winners were selected by the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee, which comprises leading global energy experts. This year 15 finalists represented nine countries worldwide. In addition to the United States and Switzerland, the shortlist included scientists from Chile, China, Cyprus, India, Mexico, Russia and the United Kingdom.
"On behalf of the International Committee, I sincerely congratulate this year's laureates. Selecting winners is never easy, especially when it comes to research of such high calibre. The work they have accomplished is distinguished not only by its scientific novelty, but also by the fact that their ideas have already found practical application and are helping to solve real-world challenges in global energy. I would like to thank all the scientists whose research was submitted for the prize, the organisations that nominated candidates, and our colleagues from around the world who continue to advance science by uniting knowledge and experience for the sake of our common future. It is through this collaboration that discoveries capable of changing the lives of millions of people emerge," said Rae Kwon Chung, Chairman of the International Award Committee, in his congratulatory address.
For media inquiries please contact
Gabriela Casulo
gcasulo@ge-prize.org
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Yilu Liu, Yushan Yan, Johann W. Kolar have been chosen as laureates of Global Energy Prize 2026
MILAN, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Enfinity Global, a leader in renewable energy, has reached 535 MW of operational solar capacity in Italy in just three years, a milestone that confirms the company's ability to rapidly deliver new energy capacity to meet the country's growing electricity demand.
Enfinity Global's 18 operational solar PV plants in Italy, located in the regions of Lazio and Emilia-Romagna, are expected to generate nearly 1 TWh of renewable energy per year, avoiding the emission of 290,904 tonnes of CO₂e annually. This is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 350,000 households.
"Reaching 535 MW in operation is an important milestone because it demonstrates our ability to deploy energy infrastructure that serves the country, generating value, direct employment and local economic benefits. Every megawatt that enters operation contributes to strengthening Italy's energy security, supporting the competitiveness of its productive system and contributing to decarbonization goals," said Alessandro Ceschiat, General Manager for Italy at Enfinity Global.
"This achievement was made possible thanks to the commitment of our people in Italy and Europe and the collaboration of industrial, financial and institutional partners who share our vision. It is a team effort that continues to turn ambitious projects into operational assets at the service of the Italian energy system," said Maria Diez, General Manager for Operations in Europe at Enfinity Global.
According to Elemens data, Enfinity is currently the second-largest operator in Italy by authorized solar capacity, having exceeded the 1 GW threshold. The company is also strengthening its presence in energy storage, with approximately 600 MW of BESS authorized. These figures are part of an overall 9.1 GW pipeline.
The growth of the Italian portfolio is underpinned by strong expertise in capital structuring and project financing, enabling the company to attract over €1 billion in investment for the portfolio.
About Enfinity Global
Enfinity Global Inc. is a leading energy company founded in 2019 that provides energy services enabling corporate, industrial, and institutional clients to meet their rapidly growing power demand and 24/7 electricity needs with speed and efficiency. The company owns a 39.6 GW portfolio of renewable energy and storage projects, including 1.2 GW of operating assets and 1.6 GW under construction, as well as development projects across key markets. Headquartered in the U.S., and with offices in Europe, Japan, and India, Enfinity Global employs over 400 people.
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Enfinity Global surpasses 500 MW of operational solar capacity in Italy
