Cleantech Group reveals 2008 Cleantech winners: Masdar's Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Google and Simbol Mining

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, at the Cleantech Forum(R) XVI Gala Dinner in San Francisco, Cleantech Group, founder of the cleantech investment category, announced the winners of its annual cleantech awards, commending exceptional progress and actions that have advanced the growth of cleantech markets worldwide.

Arriving at Cleantech Forum XVI after breaking ground on Masdar City, the world's first completely sustainable city, the evening's keynote, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, was named Cleantech Leader of the Year for his work as CEO of the Masdar Initiative. At $15 billion, Dr. Al Jaber is directing the world's largest cleantech initiative. Since its inception in 2006, the Masdar Initiative has invested in several clean energy companies and produced significant credibility and opportunity for the global cleantech market. Masdar City, unveiled last month at the World Future Energy Summit, is part of the Masdar Initiative and aims to be the world's first zero-carbon, zero- waste, car-free city.

On hand to accept the Corporation of the Year Award for Google was its Green Energy Czar, Bill Weihl. One of the first corporations to go solar in a big way, with a 1.6MW solar array on its Mountain View headquarters, Google has continued its commitment to cleantech. From its $175 million investment in clean technologies through Google.org, to a variety of projects from plug-in hybrids to energy-efficient PC power supplies, Google continues to set new standards for corporate leadership and resourcefulness.

"Individuals and corporations around the world understand the importance of this new economic sector, and we're here to recognize those that have contributed credibility, prestige and resources to the cleantech industry," said Nicholas Parker, Co-founder and Chairman of the Cleantech Group.

Winner of the Cleantech Group Most Promising Technology Award, Simbol Mining Corp. is an early stage company focused on the production of lithium and other commodity metals using clean, zero waste production processes co-located at geothermal power plants. Based on that proprietary cleantech process, the company aims to become the leading provider of lithium carbonate, a key component of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage technology.

• About Cleantech Group™, LLC
• The Cleantech Group, LLC provides insight, opportunities and builds relationships that catalyze and accelerate market adoption and commercialization of clean technologies globally. The Cleantech Group family of companies founded the cleantech investment category and through its membership services brings together investors, executives, thought leaders, policy makers, and entrepreneurs to facilitate the growth of cleantech globally. Visit http://www.cleantech.com.