Finalists for the Milken–Motsepe Prize in Green Energy Announced

The five teams (https://apo-opa.info/3tXVKZw) that will compete in the Milken–Motsepe Prize in Green Energy final round were revealed today by the Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation (https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org). For the purpose of refining and testing their designs in a real-world field test demonstration in South Africa the following year, each finalist team will receive $70,00.

The finalist teams are:

• AfTrak Micro Electric Agriculture and Energy (https://apo-opa.info/3QprXQS), for solar microgrids to power custom designed tractors for deep bed farming;
• GEG ehf. (https://GEGpower.is/), for solar and geothermal powered hybrid renewable energy system;
• New Digit Technologies (https://apo-opa.info/40q1yXR), for compact, portable device for energy generation and water purification;
• OMNIVAT (https://www.OMNIVAT.tech/), for containerized electricity generation and storage for remote communities;
• Smart Agri-Centres (https://e4sv.org/), for solar powered community centers that provide affordable green energy and services to farmers.

Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation, stated that “access to electricity can advance industrialization across Africa and improve the standards of living for many marginalized communities.” “In keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals, these finalists are creating creative solutions to fulfill the promise of a sustainable future. Next year, we are excited to have them visit South Africa for the live demos.

The five teams moving on to the Finalist Round were selected by an impartial panel of knowledgeable judges after a thorough analysis of actual data.

In order to determine which competing teams can produce 60kWh of electricity in a 24-hour period, judges will continue to consider the following criteria: demonstrating off-grid electricity generation using green energy sources; validating demonstration results with data collection; and providing energy-poor communities with affordable and reliable electricity, as determined by the demonstration.

The innovation competition format is valuable in fostering breakthroughs, as demonstrated by the finalists, according to Emily Musil Church, PhD, senior director at the Milken Institute. “These teams were forced to push themselves to the limit and create scalable, millions-changing solutions during the Semifinalist Round.”

Entrepreneurs testing innovative concepts to increase access to dependable, affordable, and sustainable power in Africa have received a total of US$750,000 from the competition.

The judges will present a $1 million US Grand Prize winner in May 2024. Additionally, a US$250,000 runner-up reward will be given out. Over US$2 million in prizes and other incentives will be given out as part of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy.