Eni Award, our energy science award

 eniaward illustration

A benchmark for applied scientific research into energy

Judges who have won Nobel Prizes. Winners who will go on to win Nobel Prizes. Scientific discoveries that make a big impact on the energy industry and recognition by the President of the Italian Republic. Since it began in 2008, the Eni Award has become much more than a company prize. It is now a globally significant event for applied research and technological innovation in energy.

The award ceremony of the 2023 Eni Award

The 2023 Eni Award ceremony was held on Monday 16 October. As per tradition, the ceremony was held at the Quirinale Palace and was attended by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. The involvement of Italy’s highest institutional office confirms the value of this increasingly important award for Eni and the scientific community.

Highlights of the day

The sections of the Eni Award

Eni Award has been expanded over the years, discover all the awards and recognitions.

Energy Frontiers Award

Technological innovation in the field of renewable energy and related energy management and storage technologies, in the context of decarbonizing energy systems.

The winner of the 2023 edition

Matthew Rosseinsky

Digital design and discovery of next-generation energy materials
University of Liverpool (UK)

Advanced Environmental Solutions Award

Technological innovation to foster the development of a sustainable and resilient nature within a continuously changing climate scenario, through the enhancement of nature-based solutions, and the preservation and restoration of natural capital, in order to accelerate the transition towards circular economy, bio-economy and environmentally sustainable business models, accordingly with the “One Health - Planetary Health” perspective. 

The winner of the 2023 edition

Thalappil Pradeep

Affordable clean water using advanced materials

Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (India)

Energy Transition Award

Technological innovation aimed at reducing carbon footprint during the transition towards an environmentally neutral energy production system through improving energy efficiency in transport and industrial processes and promoting the use of sustainable (including from an economic viewpoint) technologies; for capturing, using and storing carbon dioxide (CCUS), together with increased energy efficiency, as a bridge to decarbonization of the energy system.

The winners of the 2023 edition

Yu Huang

Decarbonize transportation with affordable and sustainable Hydrogen Fuel Cells

University of California (Los Angeles, USA)

 

Jeffrey R. Long

Cooperative Gas Capture in Metal–Organic Framework Materials

University of California (Berkeley, USA)

Young Researcher of the Year Awards

Two awards for graduates with PhD theses from Italian universities on these themes: development of a sustainable and resilient nature within a continuously changing climate scenario, through the enhancement of nature-based solutions, and the preservation and restoration of natural capital, in order to accelerate the transition towards circular economy, bio-economy and environmentally sustainable business models, accordingly with the “One Health - Planetary Health” perspective; renewable energies and energy storage; new technologies for H2 production (blue, green and turquoise hydrogen); capturing, using and storing carbon (CCUS), and energy efficiency as a bridge to decarbonization of the energy system.

The winners of the 2023 edition

Michele Ghini

Metal oxide nanocrystals for light-driven energy storage

Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, in collaboration with Università di Genova (Italy)

Hilmar del Carmen Guzmán Medina

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to value-added products

Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

Debut in Research - Young talents from Africa

Four awards to go to graduates from African countries for a degree or master’s thesis carried out in an African university on these themes: development of a sustainable and resilient nature within a continuously changing climate scenario, through the enhancement of nature-based solutions, and the preservation and restoration of natural capital, in order to accelerate the transition towards circular economy, bio-economy and environmentally sustainable business models, accordingly with the “One Health - Planetary Health” perspective; renewable energies and energy storage; new technologies for H2 production (blue, green and turquoise hydrogen); capturing, using and storing carbon (CCUS), and energy efficiency as a bridge to decarbonization of the energy system. This category was created in 2017 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the award.

The winners of the 2023 edition

Gloria Amo-Duodu

Application of synthesized magnetic nanoparticle for biogas production using anaerobic digestion

Durban University of Technology (South Africa)

 

Elshaday Mulu Fetene

Biogas upgrade using natural and modified adsorbents

Moi University (Kenya)

 

Tsion Ayalew Kebede

Evaluation of spectral built-up indices for impervious surface extraction using sentinel-2a msi imageries: a case of Addis Ababa city
Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)

 

Natnael Tilahun Sinshaw

Developing Potato’s Leaves Disease Detection Model Using Convolutional Neural Network
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (Ethiopia)

Recognition at Innovation Eni

Three awards for ideas with the greatest potential for impact in terms of the innovation they could generate and for the best technological innovations resulting from Eni research.

The winners of the 2023 edition

Shell & tube reactor and redox process at high temperature (patent)

Aldo Bosetti (Eni), Carmen Samà (Eni), Luca Madia (EniProgetti), Massimo Zampato (EniProgetti)

 

Few Layer Graphite liquid dispersions (FLG-LD) for antimicrobial (antibacteric and antiviral SARS-COV-2), anticorrosive and anti-fouling paints applications

Antonio Amico (Eni), Giulio Assanelli (Eni), Lucia Bonoldi (Eni), Marcello Notari (Eni), Riccardo Po’ (Eni), Luca Serbolisca (Eni)

 

Field test of the ATEX certified aerial drone for methane emission monitoring in Oil&Gas plants

Francesco Argento (Eni), Andrea Vignali (Eni), Mauro Favaretto (EniProgetti)

The special mention "Eni Joule for Entrepreneurship award", the new prize to innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship

We also continue to promote the development of an ecosystem of sustainable innovation aligned with Eni’s mission through the Eni Joule for Entrepreneurship award, a prize we have established through Joule our business school, which complements the Eni Award in fostering the implementation, enhancement and transfer of technologies in the field of energy transition. The award aims to promote innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship in the field of decarbonization of processes and products, circular economy, and the fight against climate change, in order to contribute to Italy's social and economic development. 

 

Regulations and official announcements are now available.

The winners of the 2023 edition

The special mention “Eni Joule for Entrepreneurship” was awarded to the teams:

RECO2

A Pontecorvo (Frosinone)-based startup, has patented a virtuous circular economy process for the production of a wide range of useful products for sustainable building and street furniture through the reuse of industrial waste materials.

Ohoskin

A Catania-based startup, has created and patented an alternative fabric to animal skin to be used in fashion, automotive and furnishing sectors, produced from orange and prickly pear waste, whose production chain is entirely in Italy.

20energy

A Spoleto-based start-up, has developed, produced and commercialized an intelligent device that converts the kinetic energy dissipated by cars when slowing down into electrical energy that can be used on-site or distributed to the grid.

The sections of the Eni Award

Eni Award has been expanded over the years, discover all the awards and recognitions.

Energy Frontiers Award

Technological innovation in the field of renewable energy and related energy management and storage technologies, in the context of decarbonizing energy systems.

The winner of the 2023 edition

Matthew Rosseinsky

Digital design and discovery of next-generation energy materials
University of Liverpool (UK)

Advanced Environmental Solutions Award

Technological innovation to foster the development of a sustainable and resilient nature within a continuously changing climate scenario, through the enhancement of nature-based solutions, and the preservation and restoration of natural capital, in order to accelerate the transition towards circular economy, bio-economy and environmentally sustainable business models, accordingly with the “One Health - Planetary Health” perspective. 

The winner of the 2023 edition

Thalappil Pradeep

Affordable clean water using advanced materials

Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (India)

Energy Transition Award

Technological innovation aimed at reducing carbon footprint during the transition towards an environmentally neutral energy production system through improving energy efficiency in transport and industrial processes and promoting the use of sustainable (including from an economic viewpoint) technologies; for capturing, using and storing carbon dioxide (CCUS), together with increased energy efficiency, as a bridge to decarbonization of the energy system.

The winners of the 2023 edition

Yu Huang

Decarbonize transportation with affordable and sustainable Hydrogen Fuel Cells

University of California (Los Angeles, USA)

 

Jeffrey R. Long

Cooperative Gas Capture in Metal–Organic Framework Materials

University of California (Berkeley, USA)

Young Researcher of the Year Awards

Two awards for graduates with PhD theses from Italian universities on these themes: development of a sustainable and resilient nature within a continuously changing climate scenario, through the enhancement of nature-based solutions, and the preservation and restoration of natural capital, in order to accelerate the transition towards circular economy, bio-economy and environmentally sustainable business models, accordingly with the “One Health - Planetary Health” perspective; renewable energies and energy storage; new technologies for H2 production (blue, green and turquoise hydrogen); capturing, using and storing carbon (CCUS), and energy efficiency as a bridge to decarbonization of the energy system.

The winners of the 2023 edition

Michele Ghini

Metal oxide nanocrystals for light-driven energy storage

Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, in collaboration with Università di Genova (Italy)

Hilmar del Carmen Guzmán Medina

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to value-added products

Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

Debut in Research - Young talents from Africa

Four awards to go to graduates from African countries for a degree or master’s thesis carried out in an African university on these themes: development of a sustainable and resilient nature within a continuously changing climate scenario, through the enhancement of nature-based solutions, and the preservation and restoration of natural capital, in order to accelerate the transition towards circular economy, bio-economy and environmentally sustainable business models, accordingly with the “One Health - Planetary Health” perspective; renewable energies and energy storage; new technologies for H2 production (blue, green and turquoise hydrogen); capturing, using and storing carbon (CCUS), and energy efficiency as a bridge to decarbonization of the energy system. This category was created in 2017 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the award.

The winners of the 2023 edition

Gloria Amo-Duodu

Application of synthesized magnetic nanoparticle for biogas production using anaerobic digestion

Durban University of Technology (South Africa)

 

Elshaday Mulu Fetene

Biogas upgrade using natural and modified adsorbents

Moi University (Kenya)

 

Tsion Ayalew Kebede

Evaluation of spectral built-up indices for impervious surface extraction using sentinel-2a msi imageries: a case of Addis Ababa city
Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)

 

Natnael Tilahun Sinshaw

Developing Potato’s Leaves Disease Detection Model Using Convolutional Neural Network
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (Ethiopia)

Recognition at Innovation Eni

Three awards for ideas with the greatest potential for impact in terms of the innovation they could generate and for the best technological innovations resulting from Eni research.

The winners of the 2023 edition

Shell & tube reactor and redox process at high temperature (patent)

Aldo Bosetti (Eni), Carmen Samà (Eni), Luca Madia (EniProgetti), Massimo Zampato (EniProgetti)

 

Few Layer Graphite liquid dispersions (FLG-LD) for antimicrobial (antibacteric and antiviral SARS-COV-2), anticorrosive and anti-fouling paints applications

Antonio Amico (Eni), Giulio Assanelli (Eni), Lucia Bonoldi (Eni), Marcello Notari (Eni), Riccardo Po’ (Eni), Luca Serbolisca (Eni)

 

Field test of the ATEX certified aerial drone for methane emission monitoring in Oil&Gas plants

Francesco Argento (Eni), Andrea Vignali (Eni), Mauro Favaretto (EniProgetti)

The special mention "Eni Joule for Entrepreneurship award", the new prize to innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship

We also continue to promote the development of an ecosystem of sustainable innovation aligned with Eni’s mission through the Eni Joule for Entrepreneurship award, a prize we have established through Joule our business school, which complements the Eni Award in fostering the implementation, enhancement and transfer of technologies in the field of energy transition. The award aims to promote innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship in the field of decarbonization of processes and products, circular economy, and the fight against climate change, in order to contribute to Italy's social and economic development. 

 

Regulations and official announcements are now available.

The winners of the 2023 edition

The special mention “Eni Joule for Entrepreneurship” was awarded to the teams:

RECO2

A Pontecorvo (Frosinone)-based startup, has patented a virtuous circular economy process for the production of a wide range of useful products for sustainable building and street furniture through the reuse of industrial waste materials.

Ohoskin

A Catania-based startup, has created and patented an alternative fabric to animal skin to be used in fashion, automotive and furnishing sectors, produced from orange and prickly pear waste, whose production chain is entirely in Italy.

20energy

A Spoleto-based start-up, has developed, produced and commercialized an intelligent device that converts the kinetic energy dissipated by cars when slowing down into electrical energy that can be used on-site or distributed to the grid.

A distinguished jury

The Award’s Scientific Commission that assesses candidates and awards  prizes is made up of scientists from top global research institutions. It currently includes Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn, winner of the Nobel prize in Chemistry in 1987. The late Robert Richardson, winner of the Nobel prize in Physics in 1996 and the late Sir Harold Kroto, winner of the Nobel prize in Chemistry in 1996, were former members.

The Eni Award’s history

The Eni Award has become an international benchmark for energy innovation. Its history began in 2008, when it was included in the Eni Technological Master Plan and replaced the Eni-Italgas Award with the aim of developing a better use of energy sources, promoting science and technology applied to the environment and supporting new generations of researchers.

The Award has evolved in the years: since 2017, it has opened up to Africa's scientific talent and has included research on sustainability and access to energy, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The Eni Award also includes a section for the best PhD theses and prizes for technological innovations developed by Eni researchers and technicians.
Today, the Eni Award involves both leading scientific institutions around the world and Eni's Research Centres. 

The Eni Award has honoured highly prestigious figures: for example, Canadian scientist Barbara Sherwood Lollar was selected for her work on the application of stable isotope geochemistry to the protection of aquifer resources and of the environment. She became famous for her studies on the presence of water on Mars.
Italian researcher Roberto Danovaro was honoured for his studies on the marine environment and its role in the CO2 cycle. In December 2020, Danovaro was selected by Expertscape as the world's leading scientist in the oceans and seas category.
Since its establishment, the Eni Award has involved prominent scientists, among them John Craig Venter, known for his sequencing of the human genome, Gérard Férey, a researcher of nanoporous hybrid and inorganic solids (who died in 2017), and Emiliano Mutti, one of the fathers of modern Italian geology. Giorgio Parisi and Klaus Hasselmann, winners of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics, were both Eni Award (then Eni-Italgas Award) winners. Giorgio Parisi was previously a member of the Award's Scientific Committee.

Highlights

Some data on the history of the Eni award since 2008.

2008
first edition

of the Eni Award


>11,000
applications

submitted since 2008


>100
recipients

since 2008


~800
applications

a year submitted by researchers on average


2008
first edition

of the Eni Award

>11,000
applications

submitted since 2008

>100
recipients

since 2008

~800
applications

a year submitted by researchers on average

Expand

The 2024 Eni Awards - Official announcements

The deadline for applications expired on 24 November 2023.

For any information please contact the Scientific Secretariat: eniaward@feem.it

Last update: 24 July 2023


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