The two companies won the award at a ceremony on 10th December 2007, for their collaboration on combined heat and power (micro-CHP) systems for small-scale 
residential microgeneration.  The work, which started in August 2005, recently resulted in the demonstration of a wall mountable fuel cell micro-CHP unit, integrating in a single unit the fuel cell and all other components to provide heating, hot water and electricity to the home.  This micro-CHP technology is thus able to replace existing home boilers, with potential for mass market adoption by 14.5 million UK households.

The Government recently published its Microgeneration Strategy, which highlighted the potential for microgeneration to provide up to 30-40% of the UK's total electricity needs.  Fuel cell micro-CHP could significantly reduce residential carbon emissions and energy costs through efficient generation of electricity and heat at the point of use in the home. However, the sector has been awaiting commercially viable products suitable for domestic installation, brought to market via a strong consumer brand.

Ceres and British Gas have been addressing these needs through their collaboration on the design, build and evaluation of fuel cell micro-CHP.  The technology has the potential to reduce a household's carbon emissions by up to 50% or up to 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per year, and to lower annual energy costs by several hundred pounds.

Peter Bance, Chief Executive of Ceres Power, commented:

"We are proud to receive this award, which recognises the unique technology being commercialized, and the strength of the joint Ceres - British Gas team.  We believe this innovation could make a major contribution to improving energy security and reducing household energy costs and carbon emissions."

Gearoid Lane, Director of British Gas New Energy, commented:

"This prestigious award recognises the innovative product that our partnership is bringing to market.  It also recognises the unique combination of Ceres Power's technology and British Gas' market presence as Britain's biggest residential energy supply, installation and maintenance company. We're proud of what we've achieved so far and excited about the potential of our combined efforts to transform Britain's energy market."