Vietnam’s Ambassador to Germany, Nguyen Dac Thanh (third from left), poses for a photo with the two co-founders of Alterno and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy. (Photo: Thu Hang/VNA)

The win is huge for Vietnam as for the first time in the award's 10-year run, a Vietnamese firm has actually made it to the finals.

A judging panel of leading global experts selected five companies with the most groundbreaking solutions for the global energy transition, awarding honours across five categories: Buildings and Construction, Mobility and Transportation, Quality Energy Access, Industry, and Clean Energy and Storage.

Alterno ranked among the top three of the Clean Energy and Storage category. Organisers described the company’s sand battery technology as a safe, non-flammable storage system capable of delivering industrial process heat at 300–600 degrees Celsius, with all components drawn from abundant natural materials that are fully recyclable.

Alterno specialises in sustainable and efficient battery solutions for enterprises in diverse sectors, including sustainable agriculture.