Scottish award may draw renewable research

GLASGOW, Scotland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A new multimillion-dollar award offered by the Scottish Ministry is expected to encourage energy research.

First Minister Alex Salmond predicted a surge in competition for the $20 million Saltire Prize that was unveiled earlier this month. The prize was implemented to help Scotland attract leading pioneers in green technology, The Herald reported.

The award is the world's largest grant for innovation in marine renewable energy research and already has drawn 33 applicants from five continents.

The award is aimed at helping Scotland meet its target of getting all its electricity from renewables by 2020 and 30 percent by 2011.

"Since we unveiled the details of the Saltire Prize Challenge at the beginning of December, 33 declarations of interest have been registered from some of the great companies and best minds in the world -- all seeking to come and develop their new energy devices and inventions here in Scotland," Salmond said.