Microgrid Knowledge has released the names of the six finalists for this year’s Microgrid Greater Good Awards. From the six finalists, three winners will be chosen and announced June 1, as part of Microgrid 2021: The World Awakens to Microgrids, a free virtual conference that has attracted several thousand participants from across the globe.
Now in its third year, The Microgrid Greater Good Awards celebrate microgrids that fulfill a clear societal need and show how microgrids improve the human condition. Awards are granted in three categories: Highest Recognition for a Microgrid Serving the Greater Good; Greater Good Award for a Grid-Connected Microgrid; and Greater Good Award for a Remote Microgrid.
Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges made up of representatives of nonprofit organizations and journalists (not affiliated with Microgrid Knowledge).
“The finalists are from throughout the world and demonstrate the range of humanitarian benefits that microgrids offer, from bringing power, water and medical care to remote villages to providing affordable and reliable power to low-income communities,” said Elisa Wood, editor-in-chief of Microgrid Knowledge and creator of the awards program.
“This year’s finalists include a tiny home community serving families experiencing homelessness. Another finalist is a women’s hospital in Kenya. Their microgrid has increased access to safe and professionally staffed birthing, ” she said. “Also making the list of finalists is a microgrid at an apartment community that serves veterans and low-income renters and a microgrid at a produce market in a part of Australia where power outages have jeopardized food supply.”
Culled from dozens of applicants, the six finalists vying for the awards are:
- Kodiak Electric Association (Alaska Microgrid Group, GE, Saft, ABB).
- ATLAS Containerized Microgrid, Ayillo II Refugee Settlement, Northern Uganda (Arizona State University, Pipeline Worldwide, SolarNow Uganda, Industrial Water Innovations, Corporate Interior Systems, Wholesale Floors LLC, Gensler, Tarkett, US Office of Naval Research).
- Matongo Women’s Clinic Microgrid (United Solar Initiative, Schneider Electric, Powerpoint, Curamericas).
- Santa Clara County Emergency Shelters (BoxPower).
- South Australian Produce Market Microgrid (Azzo, Schneider Electric, Autonomous Energy).
- St. Peter Apartments Community Microgrid (Ageto Energy, Dynapower, SunPower, Samsung, AccuEnergy).
Microgrid Knowledge launched the award program in 2019. The 2020 award winners were:
- Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE): Highest Recognition for a Microgrid Serving the Greater Good.
- Maycroft Apartments Microgrid, Washington DC: Greater Good Award for a Grid-Connected Microgrid.
- Kigbe Solar Minigrid in Nigeria: Microgrid Greater Good Award for a Remote System.
This year’s judges are Patrice Calise, associate copy editor, S&P Global Market Intelligence; Housley Carr, writer/analyst at RBN Energy; Peter Kelly-Detwiler, principal, NorthBridge Energy Partners; Melissa Marshall, director of operations for the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies/policy advisor for the World Institute on Disability; Mary Powers, special correspondent, Engineering News-Record.
About Microgrid 2021: The World Awakens to Microgrids
Offered over four weeks from May 11–June 3, Microgrid 2021 is designed to educate those researching microgrids for their facilities. Sessions focus on the reliability, cost, environmental and technology benefits of microgrids.
The virtual conference features more than 60 speakers across 20 sessions, workshops and tours. Attendance at all sessions is free, but it’s necessary to register at least one day in advance of the sessions you plan to attend in order to access the platform. Several thousand participants have already signed up.
