What is the ConocoPhillips Energy Prize?
Why did ConocoPhillips create the Prize?
Why did ConocoPhillips partner with Pennsylvania State University for this contest?
What is the timeline for the Prize, and when will the finalists be selected?
How much is the Prize?
Who can enter the Prize?
How do you enter?
How many entries can be submitted?
How will the entries be judged?
When will the winner be announced?
What is the ConocoPhillips Energy Prize?
The ConocoPhillips Energy Prize is a joint initiative with Penn State that is designed to recognize new ideas and original, actionable solutions that can help improve the way the nation develops and uses energy. In its inaugural year, the program will award up to $300,000 in cash prizes and focus on generating innovative ideas and solutions that help in three areas:
- Developing new energy sources, including new ways to develop alternative energy.
- Improving energy efficiency, such as new methods to significantly reduce the amount of energy consumed in the United States.
- Combating climate change, including solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Why did ConocoPhillips create the Prize?
ConocoPhillips believes that it will take a diverse mix of energy sources to secure America’s energy future, and that we all have a responsibility to use energy wisely and with great care for the environment. In addition, ConocoPhillips believes technology is important for maximizing existing resources and developing new sources of energy, and the ConocoPhillips Energy Prize is one way to generate excitement and interest in fostering new energy ideas, solutions and technologies.
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Why did ConocoPhillips partner with Pennsylvania State University for this contest?
We partnered with Penn State and its Earth and Mineral Sciences Energy Institute because of their expertise and commitment to developing clean, efficient energy technologies that will help our nation diversify its energy sources while continuing to meet our growing energy demand.
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What is the timeline for the Prize, and when will the finalists be selected?
March 31, 2008 - Call for entries.
May 30, 2008 - Deadline for entries.
August 2008 - Finalists announced.
October 2008 - Awards presentation.
Dates are subject to change. Please see official program rules for more details.
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How much is the Prize?
Up to $300,000 may be awarded as follows:
- The judges will review all of the entries that meet the program rules, and then will select up to five finalists who will each receive $25,000 to help further develop their concepts.
- The finalists will then prepare for a seminar where they will present their concepts in more detail and the judges will select the winner and first and second runners-up.
- The winner will receive an additional $100,000; the second runner-up will receive an additional $50,000; and the third runner-up will receive an additional $25,000.
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Who can enter the Prize?
The ConocoPhillips Energy Prize Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Board members, officers, directors, employees, and students (and their immediate families – defined as biological or adoptive parents, siblings, children and spouse) of ConocoPhillips, or its designated University representative, and Contest Judges, or their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, retailers or wholesalers (including the retailers and wholesalers themselves), and public relations, advertising or promotion agencies are not eligible to enter the Contest. Employees of contract companies who perform, or have performed, work for ConocoPhillips are not ineligible; however, the Submissions of these contract employees may not be associated with such work performed for ConocoPhillips. Please see official program rules for more details.
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How do you enter?
To enter, each individual entrant or team of entrants must submit a comprehensive proposal (no more than 2,000 words) for a Concept, which for purposes of this Contest is defined as follows: a technology, process or method that identifies a new alternative and/or renewable energy source or a new way to develop an alternative and/or renewable energy source; determines a way to use any type of energy source more efficiently; and/or combats climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Entries may be submitted via the Internet or by mail. Please see official program rules for more details.
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How many entries can be submitted?
Entrants are limited to five Submissions. If an individual Entrant is also part of a team, all Submissions by such individual, whether as an individual or as part of a team, will count towards the five Submission limit for that individual. Please see official program rules for more details.
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How will the entries be judged?
Submissions will be judged according to the following equally weighted criteria on a sliding scale of 1-10, with one representing the lowest score and 10 the highest: creativity (i.e., how novel is the Concept), scalability (i.e., can the Concept have a large-scale impact), sustainability (i.e. can the Concept be used over time without severely depleting resources), and commercial viability (i.e., is the Concept legal?). In the event of a tie, the tied Submissions will be re-evaluated by the judging panel. The judges will select up to five finalists who will present their concepts during a two-day event scheduled for October 2008. Please see official program rules for more details.
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When will the winner be announced?
The winner and runners-up will be announced at the awards event, which is scheduled for October 2008.
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