LONDON, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A United States/China scheme that produces portable, cheap and efficient fuel-wood stoves for global distribution has won an international energy award in Britain.

    The project between Aprovecho Research Center (ARC) based in Oregon and Shengzhou Stove Manufacturer (SSM) in China was presented the Energy Champion award by the Prince of Wales at the 2009 Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy on Thursday evening.

    Under the US/China scheme, 60,000 stoves have been sold since 2008, with production capacity now at 50,000 per month.

    International Development Enterprises India (IDEI) won the 2009 Ashden Outstanding Achievement Award for a simple treadle pump that has lifted more than 750,000 farmers out of poverty. Since winning an Ashden Award in 2006 the organization has diversified into drip irrigation systems and its products are selling worldwide. The organization uses Bollywood films and stars to get its message across.

    Organizations from Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Uganda were among six other winners of awards for electrification of rural areas, energy enterprises, renewables for economic development, nutrition improvement, and avoiding deforestation, while eight awards were given to British schemes.

    "The major value of these awards is that they demonstrate what is possible, not only for small scale-scale projects, but what is achievable for the whole world. So much of what we need to build cleaner and more efficient communities is already with us," the Prince of Wales said.

    Gareth Thomas, International Development Minister, noted that projects like these "bring real benefits to local communities and clearly demonstrate how clean, renewable energy can help grow local economies, improve people's health and reduce poverty -- as well as contributing toward the fight against climate change."

    Sarah Butler-Sloss, founder and chair of the Ashden Awards said: "We are delighted that we can bring such great examples of innovation and inspiration to the attention of policy makers and the public to help push forward the agenda on practical measures to combat climate change."

    Founded in 2001, the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy aims to encourage the greater use of local sustainable energy to address climate change and alleviate poverty. This year, 200,000 pounds (one pound equals to about 1.6 U.S. dollars) were awarded in prizes to seven international schemes that are saving thousands of tons in carbon emissions and benefiting communities around the globe.