The 4th TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition, organised by The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) and empowered by Full Vision Capital, is now officially open for applications. From today until April 9, 2025, technology teams from around the world are invited to submit innovative technologies and solutions in the field of smart energy. The competition aims to advance zero-carbon technologies. This year’s competition features six main tracks: Renewable Energy, Energy Storage and Conversion, CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage) Technology, Green Fuels and Hydrogen, Smart Energy, and Smart Cities. Expanding its scope, the competition has introduced the Green Fuels category, covering areas such as sustainable biomass processing technologies, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and green methanol. This addition offers more innovative energy solutions to support the global green transition.
With the vision of “Empowering Green Economic Development,” the TERA-Award provides a global entrepreneurial platform that combines application scenarios, cash prizes, and investment opportunities for participating teams. The winning project will receive a grand prize of up to USD 1 million, and award-winning teams will have the chance to gain support from investors and corporations to realise their projects. As the ‘Oscars of Smart Energy Innovation,’ the TERA-Award celebrates and nurtures the most groundbreaking ideas that will shape the future of sustainable energy.
Over the past three competitions, the TERA-Award has attracted more than 900 startup projects from over 59 countries and regions, gaining increasing international recognition.
Dr Lee Ka-kit, Founder of the TERA-Award, Chairman of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, and Founder of Full Vision Capital, emphasised that the TERA-Award is more than just a competition—it is an incubator and accelerator for green energy startups. He stated: “We aim to establish a platform that connects startups with investors, allowing investors to identify promising green ventures while technology teams gain funding and application opportunities. This accelerates the entrepreneurial journey from ‘0 to 1’ and ‘1 to 10,’ enabling projects to move from the lab to market applications, expediting commercialisation and scaling.”
Mr Alan Chan Ying-lung, Executive Chairman of the Competition Organising Committee, Executive Director, and Chief Investment Officer of Towngas, called on global innovation teams to participate: “The TERA-Award is more than just a competition—it is a launchpad for real-world innovation and growth. With Towngas’ 162 years of experience, our green sandbox provides startups with the tools, resources, and opportunities to turn bold ideas into impactful solutions. Together, we can build the next EcoCeres or EnerVenue, helping shape the future of green energy and creating a cleaner, more sustainable world.”
The competition has successfully incubated multiple startups over the past three editions. For instance, i2Cool, the Gold Award winner of the second TERA-Award, has completed its Series A funding. Its core products, such as electricity-free cooling coatings and membranes, have been applied in over 100 projects globally. Luquos Energy, the Bronze Award winner of the first TERA-Award, not only received strategic investment from Towngas but also launched its first sulfur-based flow battery energy storage demonstration project in Shenzhen this year. This marks a significant acceleration in its industrialisation phase, with plans to commence large-scale production by 2027.
Prior to establishing the TERA-Award, Towngas and Full Vision Capital had already accumulated extensive experience in startup incubation. Notable examples include EcoCeres and EnerVenue, which have grown into unicorn companies. EcoCeres converts waste plant oils and animal fats into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and is now a leading global SAF supplier. EnerVenue, founded by Cui Yi, Professor of Material Science and Engineering at Stanford University, specialises in the development and production of commercial metal-hydrogen battery energy storage technologies.
Registration and Further Information:
For more details about the 4th TERA-Award, including application procedures and competition guidelines, please visit the official competition website at https://tera-award.life/. The latest promotional video is also available for viewing here.
Scope of the 4th TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition
| Track | Scope |
| Renewable Energy | Solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, etc. |
| Energy Storage and Conversion | Electrochemical storage, physical storage, energy conversion, thermal energy (e.g., air source heat pumps), etc. |
| CCUS Technology | Carbon capture, carbon utilisation, carbon storage, methane emission control |
| Green Fuels and Hydrogen | Sustainable biomass processing technologies, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), green methanol, hydrogen production, hydrogen transport and storage, hydrogen energy applications |
| Smart Energy | Energy Internet, virtual power plants, energy management, etc. |
| Smart Cities | Green smart kitchens, home energy management, green city initiatives (e.g., green transportation, green buildings, waste management, air quality management) |
About the TERA-Award
The TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition is an international competition organised by The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) and empowered by Full Vision Capital. The competition aims to identify and support innovative technologies and solutions in the field of smart energy, promoting the development of zero-carbon technologies and contributing to global sustainable development goals.
