The Watt d'Or: a Swiss prize for innovation
The visitors of the Swiss Pavilion will stumble on a unique exhibition in our swissnex Lab, until the 16th of June. Several panels inform the public about innovative Swiss inventions, awarded by the Watt d’Or. But what does this prize stand for?
The Watt d’Or (Golden Watt) is an award delivered by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). It rewards innovative Swiss companies and organizations who develop the energy technologies of the future. The laureates do not receive any money but a certificate and an original trophy… and the assurance that their product bears the Watt d’Or “seal of quality”. The trophy is a large snowball made by Erwin Perzy enterprise in Vienna. In order to bring the snow to life inside the ball, one has to shake it vigorously. It symbolizes the fact that an important measure of intellectual and physical efforts to set the world in motion, in the energy field in particular.
The “Watt d’Or” award is divided in five different categories: society, energy technologies, renewable energy, energy efficient mobility, and building and space. The categories are good indicators of where Switzerland’s priorities stand in the energy sector today.
Offering recognition to innovation solutions
The awarded companies develop the energy technologies for the future, bring innovative products onto the market and set new standards for practical solutions that unite energy and environment awareness with comfort requirements, aesthetics and economic interests. And this is why their achievements deserve public recognition and visibility.
The Watt d'Or will draw attention to each award-winning project, person or organisation, and this means that holders will be able to use the award for advertising or PR purposes. In other words, they will not only receive a certificate and a trophy, but will also be able to enhance their image and benefit from media presence.
The panels which stand now in the swissnex Lab are part of a traveling exhibition, curated together by swissnex Boston and the SFOE, which will tour around the world.
Visit our Pavilion to learn more about Switzerland most innovative inventions in the energy field! And stay tuned to our website for more information about Watt d’Or winners.
