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Efficiency for Access Design Challenge 2022–2023

Overview of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge 2022 – 2023

Year 4 of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge began in September 2022. This year students from 14 universities in Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Sweden, Uganda, the UK, and Zimbabwe participated.

From October 2022 to April 2023, there was a series of webinars and workshops. The webinars explored topics that are connected with relevant concepts useful when considering a holistic approach for the development of project ideas within the energy access sector. The workshops helped participating students hone their skills in developing a design project.

Design Challenge Grand Final

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge Grand Final is a culmination of the hard work of students who took part in this year’s competition. The event showcased some of the incredible submissions received with awards presented for the most innovative designs. Click here to watch the recording and click here to read the full list of winners.

The Challenge Brief 2022-23

The Challenge Brief is the main guidance document for all students who are participating in the competition. This document provides important background information on the off-grid appliance sector, the scope of the competition, examples of different technologies, key dates, student support, and the assessment framework. Read it here.

Interactive workspace

Through the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge online workspace on CrowdSolve, participating students will be able to upload your projects and collaborate with the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge community. You will be able to connect with other students and industry experts who are working to design affordable, high performing appliances for people living in off and weak-grid communities in low to middle income countries. This workspace is only accessible to students at one of the participating universities, participating mentors or reviewers.

Submissions

Concept note:

Although student teams should submit a concept note at any point from October onwards, we encourage you to submit your concept note within a month of the kick-off workshop. The deadline for submitting the concept note is 5 pm BST, Wednesday 15 February 2023.

Final project:

Student teams should submit their project (a 4000-word (maximum) report and a three-minute video) by 5 pm BST, Friday 14 April 2023. Students are only required to submit one project per team.

Prototyping funds

Participating student teams were able to apply for prototyping funds to develop project ideas. Information about the call for applications will come soon.