Savannah, GA – Atlas Energy Systems (USA – IL) is the winner of the 2017 Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) Orcelle Award®, which was presented at the seventh annual Ocean Exchange forum in Savannah, Georgia. The technology developed by Atlas Energy Systems enables the conversion of radioactive waste into safe, long-lasting batteries than provide a steady supply of clean energy to meet the growing demands to power complex electrical systems.  “WWL is excited to present the 2017 Orcelle Award to Atlas Energy Systems. Atlas' innovative technology allows for radioactive waste to be repurposed in a responsible manner as a new battery technology that is not only safe but may possibly allow vessel operators to eliminate emissions from combustion engines while a vessel is working in port,” said Ray Fitzgerald – President and COO of WWL Logistics, and Chairman of the Ocean Exchange.  “Ten years ago, sustainability was a choice that companies like WWL made.  Today sustainability is no longer a choice; it’s a requirement; one that is essential to strategy, to culture and one that has a direct impact on a company's bottom line and brand reputation. The ideas discussed at the Ocean Exchange have the potential to inspire meaningful change in this world,” Mr. Fitzgerald added.  Mr. Fitzgerald presented the Orcelle award to Atlas Energy Systems’ Ian Hamilton, Founder and CEO, and Austin Lo, Chief Technologist.   “What’s interesting is we didn’t have to tailor our applications to the Ocean Exchange and ocean needs. We’ve been looking at underwater unmanned vehicles, sonic buoys and ocean power supplies for the past seven months before we had heard about the Ocean Exchange. It was a perfect fit because that’s where we were going with this technology, and once we came here we discovered all new applications and opportunities,” said Mr. Hamilton. The Orcelle Award, established by WWL, is one of two $100,000 prizes awarded at the Ocean Exchange. The award is given to the solution that makes shipping and logistics more sustainable by advancing zero-emission, marine and/or land based technologies that are commercially viable. The other is the Ocean Exchange Neptune Award, which was presented to Randy Skinner, President and Inventor of Wing Trawling System (USA – AL). This new technology is designed for shrimp boats to dramatically reduce the amount of fish “by-catch” taken in by shrimpers during the trawling process, while also significantly reducing the disruption of ecosystems on ocean floors as shrimp boats drag their equipment.   The College Big Pitch, is the third awards that’s part of the Ocean Exchange and sponsored by Georgia Southern University. Colleges and universities from all over the world compete for a $10,000 prize which is given to the best idea offered by an environmental start-up.  Pipeguard Robotics won the 2017 Big Pitch prize, which was presented to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students Yu Wu and Jonathan Miller. They presented their concept and invention of a soft-framed drone that can swim through water pipes to detect and map leaks and potential leaks in a system.