Global Energy has been awarded on an annual basis since 2003 for theoretical as well as experimental and applied research in energy science. It is focused on energy efficiency, heat saving, alternative energy sources and new power generation technology.
Fedor Mitenkov, the award commission chairman, highlighted the practical focus of Icelandic winner Thorstein Sigfusson's research into hydrogen-powered vehicles.
"Iceland already uses hydrogen energy in the transport sector and plans to switch its fishing fleet to hydrogen propulsion as well," he said.
Russia's Vladimir Nakaryakov and Briton Geoffrey Hewitt received the award for research into the physics of heat.
The 30 million ruble ($1.16 million) award will be shared equally between the three winners from 146 applicants, executive director of the Global Energy Foundation Igor Lobovsky said.
