Microgrid Knowledge will accept nominations until midnight EST, April 1, for its 2022 Microgrid Greater Good Awards, presented annually to highlight how microgrids serve society.
“We are interested in compelling stories about microgrids that fulfill a clear societal need and improve the human condition,” said Elisa Wood, editor-in-chief of Microgrid Knowledge. “Microgrids do so in a range of ways, in all kinds of settings and geographies from remote Himalayan villages to US cities.” Previous winners have provided such services as electrifying African birthing clinics, hospitals and refugee camps; providing lighting to ensure city-dwelling seniors stay safe; and keeping food fresh and safe in an Australian market.
Anyone may nominate a microgrid, whether they are affiliated with the project or not, by filling out the form here. Only operating microgrids are eligible.
The winners will be invited to present their microgrids at Microgrid 2022, June 1-2 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A panel of independent judges will choose the winners, which will be announced at Microgrid 2022, to be held June 1-2 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The winners will be invited to present their microgrids at the event.
Now in its fourth year, the Microgrid Knowledge Greater Good Awards will be granted this year in three categories. They include Highest Recognition, Grid-Connected Microgrid and Remote Microgrid. In addition, for the first time, Microgrid Knowledge will present a Greater Good Award to a microgrid in the state hosting its annual conference, which this year is Pennsylvania.
The winners in 2019 were Midnimo Microgrid/SolarGen Technologies; Blue Lake Rancheria/Siemens; Manipur/Cygni Energy. The 2020 winners were Batambis Microgrid/Global Himalayan Expedition; Maycroft Apartments Microgrid/Jubilee Housing, SimpliPhi Power, New Partners, Amidus, Pepco and Clean Energy Group’s Resilient Power Project; and Kigbe Solar Minigrid in Nigeria, a project of Havenhill Synergy, US African Development Foundation, Power Africa Initiative, Diamond Development Initiative, African Development Bank Mini-Grid HelpDesk and Inensus GmbH. The 2021 winners were the Ayillo II Refugee Settlement ATLAS Containerized Microgrid, a project of Arizona State University; the Matongo Women’s Clinic in Kenya by Schneider Electric, the United Solar Initiative, Powerpoint and NGO funding partner Curamericas, and the South Australian Produce Market, by AZZO.
Winners must offer one or more of these microgrid benefits:
- Improve the quality of life for those in or near the service territory.
- Provide access to electricity to community members during a power outage.
- Provide power to remote or undeveloped areas.
- Lower energy costs.
- Bolster energy reliability.
- Improve air quality.
- Help attain carbon reduction.
- Ensure the safety of seniors or other vulnerable populations.
- Improve the ability to secure basic necessities (e.g., food, water, communications, medicines, transportation).
- Enhance a local economy.
- Promote community or preserve the peace.
- Preserve the natural environment.
- Provide a lower cost alternative to more expensive infrastructure development.
- Provide education about the value of local energy.
- Instruct engineering students or other key stakeholders about microgrids.
About Microgrid 2022: Microgrids as Climate Heroes
Climate change is upon us and the world is not ready. Enter the microgrid, a climate change warrior that keeps the power flowing during storms and other disasters, while fostering a cleaner, less costly and more equitable energy grid. Join us in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 1-2 for Microgrid 2022 where you can meet the innovators and visionaries behind microgrids. Learn how you can become part of this profound transformation. Registration is now open. We urge you to register soon because Microgrid Knowledge’s October conference sold out in advance of the event.
