Souryadeep Basak and Lavkesh Balchandani, students of TERI School of Advanced Studies, won the bronze in the grand final event of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge—a global, multi-disciplinary competition which empowers university students to help boost clean energy access.
Founded by UK aid and the IKEA Foundation, the challenge enables students to come up with energy-efficient technologies for countries middle income countries. The aims of the competition include promoting innovation in off-grid appliance sector, and improving the job prospects of the participants by offering them a chance to design appliances.
Basak and Balchandani won the award for designing a community level solar-powered hydroponic fodder unit for rural areas. The design uses the hydroponic method to grow green fodder, helping to increase crop yields six-fold when compared to traditional methods.
Students from 21 universities from across the world, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nepal, Sweden, Uganda and the UK, participated in the challenge.
The final of the event was held on Monday.
The participants showcased their projects to 150 representatives from various aid agencies, foundations, and academics among others, reports iamrenew.
“It is encouraging to see such innovative and inspiring entries to the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge. I offer my congratulations to the winning teams who demonstrate an outstanding ability to tackle the climate emergency through exceptional and inventive designs," Mike Thornton, chief executive, Energy Saving Trust, was quoted as saying.
