The 2010 EARTO Innovation Prize was awarded at a special ceremony at the Permanent Representation of the Free State of Bavaria in central Brussels on the afternoon of 27 October, starting at 17:00, followed by an evening reception.

The 2010 EARTO Innovation Prize was awarded to the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft for the development of a highly innovative concentrator module for solar panels. The winning innovative technology has already transformed the future of solar power by doubling the efficiency of solar panels compared to conventional silicon-based cells. It is a good example of how RTOs can exploit and adapt research effectively for the benefit of society and the economy. 

Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Geoghegan-Quinn presented the 2010 EARTO Innovation Prize to the winning team, after sharing her thoughts on future direction of European research and innovation policies with the audience.

The award ceremony for the prize also featured keynote speeches by Secretary of State of the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology, Katja Hessel, and a representative of Belgian Capital-Region Minister Benoît Cerexhe, who currently chairs the meetings of the Research Ministers in the European Council of Ministers.

Key highlights this year were the publication of a study on the role and impact of RTOs in Europe prepared by the Technopolis Group at the request of EARTO and the publication of a set of case studies of high-impact innovations produced with a significant contribution by EARTO members.

Programme

Opening - Erkki KM Leppävuori, Director General VTT, President of EARTO

Katja Hessel, Secretary of State of the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology

Alain Demaegd, Advisor to Belgian Capital-Region Minister Benoît Cerexhe

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science

Erik Arnold, Chairman - Technopolis Group  - presentation - Technopolis report on impact of RTOs in Europe

Award of the 2010 EARTO Innovation Prize
with videos providing an overview of the shortlisted innovations

Drinks and buffet reception

Press Coverage

EARTO press release, 28 October 2010 - link

CORDIS, 28 October 2010, "RTOs boost EU annual economic growth by EUR 50 billion" - link

Silicon Republic, 28 October 2010, "RTOs key players in European economic recovery" - link

Science Business, 28 October 2010, "Europe’s technology organisations demonstrate their economic worth" - link

Solar Novus, 28 October 2010, "Fraunhofer Receives European Innovation Prize for Concentrator PV Research" - link

EFY Times.Com, 28 October 2010, "Fraunhofer Is Rewarded With The European Innovation Prize" - link

ee News, 28 October 2010, "Fraunhofer erhält europäischen Innovationspreis" - link

Photovoltaik Guide, 28 October 2010, "Fraunhofer erhält Europäischen Innovationspreis" - link

Business Today, 28 October 2010, "Europe’s technology businesses show their economic worth" - link

Balkans.Com, 29 October 2010, "European Research and Technology Organisations contribute EUR 50 billion to the EU economy" - link

Bits Chips, 29 October 2010, "Drielaags zonnecel wint Europese innovatieprijs" - link

Before It's News, 29 October 2010, "RTOs Boost EU Annual Economic Growth By EUR 50 Billion" - link

Linked to Balkan News, 29 October 2010, "RTOs boost EU annual economic growth by EUR 50 billion" - link

Cluster TWEED, 29 October 2010, "Fraunhofer ISE gets EARTO Prize for solar CPV" - link

Renewable Energy Focus.Com, 29 October 2010, "Fraunhofer ISE gets EARTO Prize for solar CPV" - link 

Solar Server.Com, 31 October 2010, "PV research: Fraunhofer rewarded with the European Innovation Prize; Andreas Bett receives EARTO Prize for development of concentrator photovoltaic system" - link

Innovation America, 1 November 2010, "Independent Report Demonstrates Major Social and Economic Impact of Research and Technology Organisations" - link 

The Parliament.Com, 2 November 2010, "New study calls for more recognition of research organisations" - link 

Czelo Website, 2 November 2010, "European Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) boost EU economic growth" - link 

Holaverde, 2 November 2010, "German Institute rewarded with the European Innovation Prize" - link 

EuroAlert, 3 November 2010, "Research and Technology Organisations boost EU annual economic growth by 50 B€" - link 

Chemistry World Blog, 3 November 2010, "RTOs add €50 billion to EU" - link 

MetalPowder.net, 4 November 2010, "Innovation prize for solar cells" - link 

EcoPeriodicals, 4 November 2010, "Fraunhofer receives European Innovation Prize for concentrator solar cells" - link 

Pictures from the event - link

Videos