Project teams from nine developing countries were awarded for their innovative approaches to sustainable energy last night (21 June).

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy, held in London, United Kingdom, awarded ventures from Bangladesh, China, India, Laos and Tanzania first prizes of US$60,000 each to further their schemes. Projects from Ghana, India, Nepal, Peru and the Philippines were awarded second place prizes of US$20,000.

KX Industries (Orange, Connecticut) has developed a point of use technology that filters water free of viruses, pesticides, and bacteria, but has a running cost so low that very poor people will be able to afford it. The new microbiological system -- consisting of a dispenser and disposable filters -- uses nanotechnology fibers and removes anything from water that is not dissolved.