The three pillars

edie's 2026 Energy & Tech Awards are divided into three overarching award categories: Innovation & Technology; Net-Zero Delivery & Implementation; and Strategy & Leadership.

Innovation & Technology

This pillar celebrates the technologies, products and new approaches helping organisations accelerate decarbonisation. From AI and smarter energy grids to pioneering hardware, data platforms and standards, these awards recognise innovations that improve how businesses understand, manage and reduce their environmental impact. The awards in this category are:

  • AI in Energy
  • Innovation Project of the Year
  • Innovation Project of the Year: Frameworks & Standards
  • Innovation Project of the Year: Products & Hardware
  • Innovation Project of the Year: Smart Grid Optimisation
  • Product of the Year: Accounting & Intelligence
  • Product of the Year: Optimisation & Implementation

Net-Zero Delivery & Implementation

This pillar recognises the projects and initiatives turning net-zero ambitions into practical action across buildings, industry, transport, energy systems and supply chains. It celebrates the delivery of carbon reductions alongside the community engagement and communications needed to support the transition. The awards in this category are:

  • Built Environment Decarbonisation Project of the Year
  • Energy Transition Initiative of the Year: Communities
  • Energy Transition Initiative of the Year: Projects & Systems
  • Heat & Industrial Decarbonisation Project of the Year
  • Net-Zero Communications Award
  • Operational Energy Reduction Project of the Year
  • Renewable Energy Project of the Year
  • Supply Chain & Scope 3 Decarbonisation Project of the Year
  • Transport & Mobility Project of the Year

Strategy & Leadership

This pillar celebrates the people, partnerships and organisational strategies driving sustained progress towards net-zero. These awards recognise how clear direction, expertise and investment in skills help embed decarbonisation into business decisions and everyday practice. The awards in this category are:

  • Decarbonisation Strategy of the Year
  • Energy Transition Partner of the Year
  • Net-Zero Changemaker of the Year
  • Technology Provider of the Year
  • Upskilling & Training Initiative of the Year