Ten new AI innovations could help make the UK a clean energy superpower through the government’s Plan for Change.
These ten AI innovators are finalists in the second round of the Manchester Prize. Now in its second year, the Manchester Prize will reward UK-led breakthroughs in artificial intelligence that will accelerate action towards the UK’s ambitious clean energy and net-zero goals – manchesterprize.org.
The Manchester Prize, funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by Challenge Works (part of the Nesta group), is rewarding UK-led AI breakthroughs that support the public good, including growing the economy, improving public services, and helping to create a just transition to Net Zero for everyone.
Among them is a system using AI to design bespoke panels, turning bricks into radiators to warm homes from the outside in, keeping a comfortable inside temperature all year round, and simplifying the installation of heat pumps in older homes while reducing costs.
Another team uses AI-enabled drones to map heat loss across entire neighbourhoods, helping councils identify exactly which homes need urgent insulation upgrades, which could save households hundreds on their annual energy bill.
Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, chair of the Manchester Prize judging panel, said: “We are at a critical juncture in the journey to net zero, the next decade is make or break if the world is to keep global temperatures from exceeding 1.5C by 2050. Global emissions need to halve by 2030 compared to 1990 levels if we are to stay on track, while electricity production will need to double by 2050 to meet the demands of an electrified economy. Clean energy innovation is essential.
“The rapid advancement of AI means we have tools like never before to achieve the goal of decarbonising the economy while supporting individuals, communities, and businesses to thrive.
Other finalists include AI technologies to help the logistics industry cut its emissions, and AI being used to ensure the energy grid remains balanced at all times, as more and more of our energy supplies come from wind and solar. “
The ten teams behind the advanced AI solutions have each received £100,000 in seed funding, plus £60,000 worth of compute credits to help train and scale their models. They will also benefit from non-financial support, including investor readiness guidance and access to a network of experts, positioning them for success in the pursuit of the £1 million grand prize in spring 2026. The winning solution will demonstrate not only technical innovation, but also an evidenced road map to near-term (2030) adoption, scale, and impact.
Who are the finalists?
The winning innovation will be announced early in 2026, taking home the grand prize of £1 million to bring their cutting-edge ideas to life.
It builds on the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the UK government’s blueprint to accelerate the use of AI across the economy. By harnessing cutting-edge solutions like these, AI is driving breakthroughs in industry, transforming public services, and improving the lives of citizens across the country.
Manchester Prize (year 2) finalists
- Agent Net Zero
Agent Net Zero by the University of Sheffield and AMRC is an innovative AI system that helps industrial companies become more sustainable by analysing their environmental impact in real-time.
- BiofuelAi
BiofuelAi by the University of Surrey brings cutting-edge AI and machine learning to the biofuel industry, optimising complex, variable processes in real time.
- Carbon Re
Carbon Re is tackling this challenge by building AI process control software to cut emissions in cement production.
- Cavolo
Cavolo uses advanced AI to make city deliveries more efficient and eco-friendly.
- Deep.Optimiser-PhyX
Deep.Optimiser-PhyX by Deep.Meta is tackling carbon emissions in the steel industry with an AI-powered Digital Twin – a smart digital replica of the production process that combines physics and machine learning to optimise furnace operations.
- DRIVE
DRIVE (Deep Re-enforcement learning for Intelligent Vehicle and Energy optimisation) by Flexible Power Systems.
- EnergyWall
EnergyWall by Underheat, in partnership with University of Salford upgrades a building’s walls, gently warming or cooling homes from the outside, turning bricks into radiators that maintain a comfortable internal temperature all year round.
- Green Loops
Green Loops by University of Wolverhampton, in partnership with ABCircular GmbH Berlin; tackles the challenge of recycling end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) cells by creating high-efficiency solar panels from recycled materials.
- Grid Stability
Grid Stability by University of Manchester uses AI and machine learning to quickly analyse power grid stability as more low-carbon technologies like wind, solar, EVs and heat pumps connect
- Rapid Thermal Performance Assessment algorithms (RaThPAs)
Rapid Thermal Performance Assessment algorithms (RaThPAs) by Kestrix uses AI and thermal drones to map heat loss across entire neighbourhoods, acting as fast, 3D energy surveys from the sky.
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