Australia teen picks up international sustainable energy award

A 15 year-old high school student from Australia has scored an international green technology gong given to him by Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. Toby Thorpe from Huonville High was awarded with US$100,000 (AU$132,000).

Fourteen schools have competed for the Global High Schools Zayed Future Energy Prize. The Prize is aimed at inspiring future generations "to be responsible, sustainable citizens."

Thorpe said the presentation was absolutely amazing. He also got the chance to meet leaders from all over the world.

The week's award ceremony is the beginning of Thorpe’s two-year plan to spur interest in renewable energy. He aims to push energy savings among his fellow students and local community southwest of Hobart.

Thorpe has expressed his excitement, saying it has been long time coming. “Now we can actually put our plan into action,” he said.

The main venture will now push through, thanks to the funding from the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The plan is to transform a former dental clinic into a six-star energy rated training site.

Thorpe has explained that the site will serve as a research centre for students. It is also hoped that it will serve as an inspiration for other members of the community and other schools to learn about what they do and embrace it.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize was announced by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE in 2008. The Prize aims to recognise various key players creating new sustainable energy. It is being awarded yearly to a large corporation, a small and medium enterprise, a non-profit organisation, a lifetime achievement recipient and up to five high schools from five different world regions.