UK’s Manchester Prize focuses on clean energy innovation in second round

ROUND TWO of the UK government’s Manchester Prize has been launched, with the focus on AI solutions that will “accelerate” the net zero energy transition.

The £2m (US$2.5m) prize fund will see ten AI solutions awarded a £100,000 grant, and the most promising project receive a grand prize of £1m.

The first round prioritised technologies that could shake up energy, environment, and infrastructure. The finalists include energy innovations from the University of Warwick and University of Birmingham and the winner will be picked out in April.

For round two, the government says the solutions must demonstrate technical innovation and provide evidence that they can be scaled up for 2030 adoption.

Paul Monks, chief scientific adviser at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: “We need an ambitious approach to using artificial intelligence across the development, engineering, and operation of our energy systems and so I am pleased to see the Manchester Prize recognising that with its dedicated new round on decarbonisation.”

Prize requirements

The Manchester prize is a decade-long project from the Department for Science and Innovation and Technology (DSIT) focused on how AI can tackle the UK’s environment goals. DSIT is working with international prize-running organisation Challenge Works to deliver the project.

To be considered in round two, solutions must demonstrate the ability to speed up clean energy adoption in the UK in a low cost, energy efficient way.

DSIT says it is looking for solutions that include predictive technologies, automated systems management, and AI that can be used to discover new materials and designs for renewables.

The scope of the solutions includes solar and wind energy, and battery storage infrastructure, with the department encouraging solutions that show “advances in technical capabilities”, namely, physics-based AI and data efficiency.

AI in the UK

AI innovation in the UK has been a big focus for the government this year, with Innovate UK committing £32m for almost 100 AI projects in industry.

The new government’s £20.4bn R&D funding package also includes a review into transformative technologies and the potential for growth in AI.

The entry deadline for round two of the Manchester Prize is 17 January.