Twelve countries have signalled their intention to run a preliminary competition and national winners in each of two categories will go forward to the Europe-wide contest. Overall winners and runners-up will receive their trophies and certificates at a ceremony to be held during the World Expo in the German city of Hanover in Summer 2000.
The first UNIPEDE eta Award was organised in 1991, taking as its symbol the Greek letter eta, which stands for “efficiency” in mathematical formulae. Underlying the idea of the Award is the philosophy that society and industry must take a responsible attitude towards energy resources, engaging in dialogue, seeking a balanced energy mix suitable for sustainable development, and striving to bring forward new technologies which promote energy saving.
To qualify for the Award scheme, a company must be able to show that, by adopting an electrical process or service OR through better management of electricity demand, it has achieved one or more of the following:
- decrease in the amount of energy used per unit of production
- better working conditions
- better external environment
- improvement in product quality
- reduction in unit production cost
- improved business performance – e.g. increased sales or exports
- better utilisation of existing electrical distribution/supply system
Each of the 12 participating countries will present an Award to one winner in each of two categories: smaller manufacturing units of up to 100 employees; and units with more than 100 employees. The European winner in each category will receive a trophy, while two runners-up in each category receiving a Certificate of Commendation. All entrants have the right to use the UNIPEDE symbol on company stationery and literature.