Following the launch of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, the X PRIZE Foundation is developing prizes that will end our addiction to oil, stem the harmful effects of climate change, and promote the sustainability of our environment. Some of the current themes that are being explored as potential avenues for an X PRIZE include incenting breakthroughs in clean fuels, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, carbon reduction, and sustainable housing.

X PRIZE Lab@MIT hosts second annual X PRIZE Energy Forum

This year's topic, "Breakthrough Investments in Energy Storage" examined the opportunities and challenges for revolutionary new approaches to the way we store and use electricity. Hosted by X PRIZE Lab Director, Dr. Erika Wagner, and moderated by early-stage investor Charlotte Walker, the Forum brought together Dr. Peter Diamandis, Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation; Dr. Bob Metcalfe, Ethernet inventor, 3COM founder and General Partner at Polaris Ventures; and Hemant Taneja, Managing Director of General Catalyst, a leading cleantech investor.

Find out more about X PRIZE Lab@MIT.

Prizes under consideration include

Clean Fuels

The X PRIZE foundation received a grant to develop a prize to develop and promote widespread adoption of clean aviation fuel. We’re also developing a partnership for second generation small scale distributed biofuel production technologies.

The Energy X PRIZE Suite

The X PRIZE Foundation has received grants to develop an Energy & Environment Prize Suite to catalyze a new era of clean, renewable, cost-effective energy with minimal impact on the climate and the environment. This effort will result in a suite of prizes with a combined purse value of as much as $100 million. The areas of investigation include alternative generation, energy efficiency, energy storage sustainable housing, and carbon sequestration. Read a general overview of the Energy and Environment X PRIZE Suite.

The X PRIZE Foundation's energy planning work is assisted by an Energy and Environment Advisory Council made up of some of the world's most esteemed experts. They suggest areas of focus, screen concepts, review proposed rules, and recommend ways to link the prizes into a powerful, synergistic sequence. Our Advisory Council spans thought leaders from academia, advocacy, industry, media, finance, and philanthropy

If you have any ideas for an Energy and Environment X PRIZE, you can propose them here!