27 September 2007 17:21
E.ON challenges Britain’s budding inventors to come up with the next generation of energy saving ideas

E.ON, the UK's largest integrated electricity and gas company, has today joined forces with former ‘Tomorrow's World' presenter Philippa Forrester and former ‘Changing Rooms' star Oliver Heath to launch ‘E.ON EnergyLab' - a nationwide talent search to find Britain's next big innovations in energy efficiency.

Philippa and Oliver form part of the E.ON EnergyLab judging panel who will be on the lookout for clever creations that could revolutionise the future of energy and how it is used. 

Britain's budding inventors are invited to enter one of two award categories:

• LIFE-IC Technology Award: A new category aimed at recognising, supporting and encouragingthose who are already studying or working in the field of engineering or technology. The winner will receive a cash prize of £5,000 plus support and consultancy from world class business accelerator LIFE-IC to help get their idea into production.

Dave Clarke, from E.ON's Technology Centre, said:  "This is the second year we've run E.ON EnergyLab and last year we unearthed an army of ingenious inventors with a wealth of energy saving ideas - so we're really excited about the hidden talents we could uncover this year." 

Philippa Forrester said:  "Having spent seven years reporting on the technology of tomorrow, I can't think of a more exciting project to be part of.  I can't wait to see the energy saving concepts that Britain's next generation of inventors will come up with."

Bright ideas should be submitted at http://www.eon-energylab.co.uk/ before 30 November 2007.

Those lucky enough to be shortlisted will be invited to one of a series of regional heats held in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester in January and February 2008. 

Regional finalists will then have the opportunity to pitch their ideas and present their prototypes to the panel of experts against the clock, vying for the chance to go head to head in the national final in London in April 2008.

Oliver Heath said:  "The E.ON EnergyLab combines all of my passions - the environment, design and innovation - into a fantastic competition that is open to anyone and everyone, regardless of age or experience. This really is a talent search with a difference and I'd encourage anyone with a nifty idea that could help conserve energy to take part. "

Ends

Notes to editors:

About the E.ON EnergyLab panel of judges:

The E.ON EnergyLab panel comprises a number of industry experts renowned for their commitment to energy efficiency and passion for finding innovative ways of reducing carbon emissions, including:

• Philippa Forrester - best known for presenting ‘Tomorrow's World' for seven years and holder of a degree in environmental science;
• Oliver Heath - a young and talented designer, renowned for his passion for the environment and work on ITV's ‘Dream Homes' and BBC's‘Changing Rooms';
• Philip Johnson - the expert behind the energy technology incubator, LIFE-IC;
• Dave Clarke - head of low carbon strategy at E.ON UK's Technology Centre;
• Jim Macdonald - Director of E.ON UK's Retail Consumer business.

About E.ON:

• E.ON is the UK's largest integrated power and gas company - generating and distributing electricity and retailing electricity and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, the world's largest investor-owned power and gas company;
• E.ON's retail business, branded Powergen, is a leading energy supplier in the UK, with around 5.5 million electricity and gas customers.

For more information and photos of Philippa Forrester and Oliver Heath please contact:

Jag Kahlon at E.ON on 02476 181 308 or jag.kahlon@powergen.co.uk