We are searching for topics and funders for the next Longitude Prize. This idea is a draft for discussion about one possible prize focus that we are exploring.
What is the problem? Connecting new renewable energy to Britain's grid currently requires either expensive, disruptive trenching or visible overhead pylons, and neither can scale to meet the urgent grid expansion required for net zero. Why does the solution contribute to solving this? A breakthrough here unlocks a critical bottleneck in Britain's clean energy transition: getting power from where it's generated to where it's needed, quickly, cheaply, and without altering the landscape. Who is the prize awarded to? Awarded to the team that installs a high-voltage underground cable over a 10km route connecting a renewable energy source to the national grid, without conventional trenching, navigating typical route obstacles, and achieving the best combination of installation speed, cost-efficiency, and minimal surface disruption. Check out the other ideas
The best prize ideas are developed through extensive research and engagement with experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience of the problems they are focused on. We start with a first draft like the one above – then work to improve, refine and validate our thinking. If you are interested in sharing your expertise, or helping us secure funding for the next Longitude Prize, please reach out.