The UK Government has announced the second edition of the Manchester Prize, a competition aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to clean energy through artificial intelligence (AI).
This year, the prize will focus on AI-driven solutions that contribute to the UK’s ambitious goal of decarbonising its electricity grid by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Manchester Prize, a multi-year initiative funded by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), is offering up to £1m in total to reward UK-led AI innovations with the potential to transform the nation’s energy systems.
READ MORE: Robotics & Automation – November 2024
Ten teams will receive £100,000 each in seed funding, alongside £60,000 worth of compute credits and non-financial additional support, to help develop prototypes capable of competing for the £1m prize, which will be awarded in 2026.
The competition is calling on innovators from across academia, industry, and the start-up ecosystem to submit solutions that can help accelerate the widespread adoption of clean energy technologies, improve the efficiency of energy systems, and reduce energy demand.
AI applications in the competition could include enhancing power generation from renewable sources like wind and solar, optimising the operation of decentralised energy networks, improving energy efficiency in homes and industries, or increasing the resilience of existing energy infrastructure in the face of climate change.
The initiative aims to harness the potential of AI to drive economic growth, improve public services, and help tackle some of the most pressing global challenges, such as climate change.
The Manchester Prize is part of a broader government strategy to position the UK as a global leader in innovation, with a specific focus on supporting AI advancements that contribute to the public good.
Over the next decade, the prize will reward breakthroughs across various sectors.
Feryal Clark, minister for AI, said: “AI can transform our public services, make us more productive and tackle some of the biggest shared challenges in society. AI is already having a positive impact on so many aspects of our lives, but there’s much more waiting to be tapped into.
“The second round of the Manchester Prize will bring brilliant British innovation to bear to deliver a clean, secure energy future for the UK. Whether in energy, healthcare, or beyond, we’re backing AI innovations to deliver real and lasting change across the country.”
Adding, Professor Paul Monks, chief scientific adviser at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: “The greatest long-term challenge we face is the climate and nature crisis: that’s why we have our world leading targets to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050.
“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.”
Join more than 11,000 industry leaders at Robotics and Automation Exhibition on 25-26 March 2025. Explore cutting-edge technologies, connect with peers and discover the latest innovations shaping the future of manufacturing, engineering and logistics. Register now to secure your place at this premier event!
