Microgrid Knowledge has unveiled the finalists vying for the annual Microgrid Greater Good Award. Winners will be announced November 17, the kickoff date for Microgrid 2020 Global, a free three-day conference, expected to draw thousands of participants worldwide.
Now in its second year, the Microgrid Greater Good Award recognizes microgrids that fulfill a clear societal need and bolster the case that microgrids improve the human condition. Awards will be 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.
The final selection will be made by a panel of independent judges composed of journalists (not affiliated with Microgrid Knowledge) and representatives of non-profit organizations.
“The finalists are from throughout the world and demonstrate the range of humanitarian benefits microgrids offer, from bringing light to some of the most remote areas of the planet to assisting in the creation of a more sustainable food supply in cities,” said Elisa Wood, editor-in-chief of Microgrid Knowledge and creator of the award.
“This year’s finalists also include an affordable housing development in Washington, DC, which serves seniors, some who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment and refrigeration for medication. Another finalist is a Florida ministry that provides meals and shelter, making reliable electricity especially important in hurricane season,” she said. “Also making the list of finalists is a solar powered, nanogrid container used in a relief missions to purify water and refrigerate medications.”
Culled from dozens of applicants, the six finalists vying for the awards are:
- Maycroft Apartments Microgrid, Washington DC (Jubilee Housing, SimpliPhi Power, New Partners, Amidus, Pepco, Clean Energy Group’s Resilient Power Project)
- Kigbe Solar Minigrid, Nigeria (Havenhill Synergy, United States African Development Foundation, Power Africa Initiative, Diamond Development Initiative, African Development Bank Mini-Grid HelpDesk and Inensus GmbH)
- Metropolitan Ministries, Tampa, Fla (PowerSecure, a subsidiary of Southern Company; Tampa Electric)
- Sesame Solar Nanogrid Medical Unit in GrandFond, Dominica (Sesame Solar, Direct Relief)
- Microgrid in Himalayan village of Batambis (Global Himalyan Expedition)
- Bowery Farming Microgrid Enabling The Future of Agriculture, New Jersey (Scale Microgrid, Schneider Electric)
Microgrid Knowledge launched the award program last year at Microgrid 2019 in San Diego. The 2019 winners were:
- Midnimo Microgrid/SolarGen Technologies: Highest Recognition for a Microgrid Serving the Greater Good
- Blue Lake Rancheria/Siemens: Greater Good Award for a Grid-Connected Microgrid
- Manipur/Cygni Energy: Greater Good Award for a Remote Microgrid
About Microgrid 2020 Global
A confluence of events is heightening interest in microgrids just in time for Microgrid 2020 Global, November 17-19, a free event that promises to be Microgrid Knowledge’s most exciting gathering yet.
Offered free to those who register before the approaching cutoff date, the interactive, virtual event features more than 90 speakers/30 sessions, live Q&A, an expansive exhibit hall, and exclusive birds-of-feather networking.
Content rich and highly interactive, the conference is expected to attract thousands of participants coming to learn, discuss, interact and network in an innovative virtual forum, designed by the world’s largest news site devoted to microgrids.
Microgrid Knowledge organizers are urging those interested to register for the free event now. Registration will be cut off when the platform reaches its cap or on November 16, whichever comes first. Admission to the live event will no longer be available after the cutoff.
