2007 WINNER:
IGOR KLUIN, QURRENT
Qurrent produces a small black box, called a QBox, which does three things. (1) It optimises energy use, turning things like your washing machine on and off when it's most efficient and cheapest. (2) It monitors energy use, giving you clear insight into energy flows in your home, presented in a user-friendly fashion. And (3) it’s a router for a Local Energy Network (LEN) in your neighbourhood, connecting you to the grid and to your neighbours. Igor believes in decentralised energy systems. So far, these are not affordable and too complex. Lowering these two barriers is Qurrent's focus. It will also advise people on how to set up their own energy production systems using sources such as wind and sun."For mass CO2 reduction, bring CO2 reduction to the masses," Igor says.
Qurrent's product is now in the post-prototype stage and being marketed to energy and real-estate-management companies, "which are very conservative," Igor says. He's using the prize money for demonstration projects.
Qurrent website
Igor Kluin interview, April 2008
We caught up with Igor. He brought us up to date on Qurrent. He also told us what being a finalist meant to him and what happened after he won. Read the interview.
Presentation, 27 September 2007
2009 finalists
- Sanne Castro:
SimGas - Robin Chase:
Open Road - Dean Gregory: Power Collective Limited
- Michael Mathres: Mootral
- Robert Matthams: Shiply.com
- Hjalmar van Raemdonck: Ephicas SideWing
One bright idea can make a big difference. The entrant with the best idea for a greenhouse-gas-reducing product or service will win €500,000, expert coaching and a starting list of customers! Read all about it »
How to win
Think you're too young to enter this contest? You lack a track record as an inventor? Or your idea's too wacky to fly? Read this »
2008 finalists
- Eben Bayer (winner):
Greensulate™ - Capra J'neva (runner-up):
Veranda Solar - Jochen Mundinger:
routeRANK - Peter Yeadon:
SmartScreen
"I'm pleased that the Dutch Postcode Lottery has launched the Green Challenge to encourage entrepreneurs to develop new ways to fight one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change." Read more »
"The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge will be organised for the third time in 2009. I was happy to be involved in launching this initiative. We should all work on promoting sustainable businesses and to do that, we need to find the young, creative entrepreneurs. The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge does just this."
