Global Energy Prize 2026 Honors Pioneers in Power Systems and Hydrogen

Yilu Liu of the University of Tennessee secured the award in the Traditional Energy category for her development of wide-area monitoring systems essential for modern smart grid stability. Her work provides the situational awareness necessary for managing increasingly complex electrical networks. In the Non-Traditional Energy sector, Yushan Yan of the University of Delaware was recognized for his role in advancing clean hydrogen production, specifically for his efforts in moving these technologies from the laboratory into viable, global commercial projects.

The third laureate, Johann W. Kolar, Professor Emeritus at ETH Zurich, received the honor in New Ways of Energy Application. His research in energy conversion has become a cornerstone for improvements in electric mobility and the integration of renewable energy systems. These selections were finalized by an international committee that vetted 15 finalists hailing from nine countries, ranging from Chile and China to Russia and the United Kingdom. Rae Kwon Chung, Chairman of the International Award Committee, noted that the winning entries were chosen not only for their scientific rigor but for their immediate impact on solving real-world energy challenges.