Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development initiative - Winners
In it's inaugural round, more than 475 organizations from 80 countries applied to the Powering Agriculture Grand Energy Challenge for Development, offering market-based, clean energy innovations for the agricultural sphere in developing countries. Each of the 11 winning organizations received awards of between $800,000 and $1.5 million.
The innovations of the winners can be broadly categorized into applications for processing, irrigation, decentralized power, and cold storage.
ProcessingBiomass-Powered Thermal Processing of Ethiopian Bamboo African Bamboo is developing an environmentally friendly bamboo thermal modification process in Ethiopia. The technology involves the combustion of biomass dust—a technological approach that is completely new to Ethiopia. Read more about the project here. Motivo Engineering is developing hybrid vehicles with exportable power for community-based agriculture mechanization. The system utilizes power from varied energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, micro-hydro turbines, or the grid to enable increased productivity all along the agriculture value chain. Read more about the projecthere. Built around a culture of excellence, the innovative approach of ECO Consult is combined with solid knowledge and abundant experience and geared towards achieving sustainable development in Jordan and the Middle East. Read more about the project here. IrrigationMicro-Solar Utilities for Small-Scale Irrigation in Senegal The Earth Institute brings together the people and tools needed to address some of the world's most difficult problems, from climate change and environmental degradation, to poverty, disease and the sustainable use of resources. Read more about the project here.
iDE is an international non-profit dedicated to ending poverty in the developing world not through handouts, but by helping farm families access the tools and knowledge they need to increase their income. Read more about the project here.
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Decentralized PowerBiomass Mini-Grids for Palm Oil Producing Communities in Benin and Tanzania Camco is developing Village Industrial Power (VIP) Plants. VIP Plants are mini-grid systems powered through the combustion of biomass waste produced at local agricultural processing facilities. Read more about the project here.
EarthSpark has developed a solar-diesel hybrid micro-grid system that will increase access to affordable, reliable electricity for value-added agricultural processing. Read more about the projecthere.
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Further Information
- Agriculture Powering Agriculture Portal on energypedia
- Website: Powering Agriculture - Winners 2013
- Powering Agriculture Call for Innovation Powering Agriculture Call 2014
References