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WINNERS 2025
Power the Community An International College Design Competition
Introduction
We invited teams to take on the challenge of designing a sustainable energy system to power 2,000 homes—and the global response was phenomenal. A total of 123 teams, made up of 320 participants, joined us from countries including India, Sudan, the United States, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Egypt, Ghana, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, and Cyprus.
The competition was a true showcase of innovation and ingenuity. With so many outstanding submissions, our judges faced a tough decision in selecting four standout designs and ultimately naming one grand prize winner.
123 Teams
Word Wide Reach
320 Participants
4 Sponsors
$31000
PRIZE POOL
5
JUDGES
5
WINNERS
Our Sponsors
Founding Sponsor
Founding Sponsor
Founding Sponsor
Software Sponsor
Our Judges
We are grateful to have our judges for "Power the Community” 2024
Power the Community 2025 – $31,000 Global Awards Ceremony | Energy & Sustainability Innovation
Our Winners
1. Energy Xcelerate (Energy Innovators Award)
Project Video
We would like to congratulate Team Energy Xcelerate for winning our 2025 Power the Community International College Design Competition and taking home the $10,000 Grand Prize – Energy Innovators Award.
Congratulations to Md Merajuddin Ahmed, Sanika Kole, Sachin Bangrawa, Abantika Duttagaur, and Uddipan Mondal for their incredible achievement!
Project Details
The Grand Prize, the “Energy Innovators Award” and $10,000
was awarded to Team “Energy Xcelerate” in the 2025 Power the Community International College Design Competition.
The team designed a sustainable, disaster-resilient community for 2,000 families in Lake Town, Kolkata, featuring:
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67% solar, 30% CBM, and 3% biogas — ensuring zero outages year-round.
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Rooftop and floating solar systems with battery backup.
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Bioethanol-based cookers to replace LPG, lowering costs and emissions.
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Climate-responsive homes using mud blocks, passive cooling, and local materials.
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Water conservation through rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse.
The Grand Prize, the “Energy Innovators Award” and $10,000, was awarded to Team “Energy Xcelerate” in the 2025 Power the Community International College Design Competition.
Winning Price($10000)
Team Certificate
For their profound efforts in creating a community based on a affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for 2000 families.
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Our Winners
2. AFTERLIFE (Distinguished Design Award)
Project Video
We would like to congratulate Team AFTERLIFE for receiving $5,250 and the title of "Distinguished Design Award" in our Power the Community International College Design Competition 2025.
Congratulations to Andy Onyango, Morris Murigi, Calvin Kinyanjui, Jeremy Kering, and Gabriel Musyoki for their outstanding work and dedication to sustainable community design.
Project Details
Congratulations Team AFTERLIFE for winning the Distinguished Design Award and $5,250 in the 2025 "Power the Community" International College Design Competition.
Team AFTERLIFE designed a solar-powered battery swapping system to bring reliable lighting to 2,000 rural homes in Kenya. Using repurposed EV battery cells and a centralized solar charging station, their solution delivers affordable, sustainable energy where it’s needed most.
Their 3D model of Mbooni Sub-County demonstrated the system’s real-world potential and seamless integration with both grid and off-grid scenarios.
The Distinguished Design Award and $5,250 was awarded to Team “AFTERLIFE” in the 2025 Power the Community International College Design Competition.
Winning Price($10000)
Team Certificate
For their profound efforts in creating a community based on a affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for 2000 families.
Our Winners
3. H2ENERGIES (Distinguished Design Award)
Project Video
We celebrate the success of Team H2ENERGIES, recipients of the "Distinguished Design Award" and a $5,250 prize in this year’s Power the Community competition.
Congratulations to Leeroy Takudzwa Magora and Charlton Mandaza for crafting an inspiring solution that merges clean energy innovation with community-driven design.
Project Details
Congratulations Team H2ENERGIES for winning the Distinguished Design Award and $5,250 in the 2025 "Power the Community" International College Design Competition.
Team H2ENERGIES presented a visionary plan for a sustainable 2,000-home residential community in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, designed to house mining families near their workplaces. Their project addressed critical rural challenges—energy poverty, deforestation, water access, and digital divide—by integrating hydrogen-powered cookstoves, solar-powered housing, Starlink internet, and a centralized water supply.
“Our project provides affordable modern housing in rural areas with clean energy, safe water, internet, healthcare, and education,” the team stated, offering a replicable model for future off-grid communities.
The Distinguished Design Award and $5,250 was awarded to Team “H2ENERGIES” in the 2025 Power the Community International College Design Competition.
Winning Price($10000)
Team Certificate
For their profound efforts in creating a community based on a affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for 2000 families.
Our Winners
4. Techtonic Energy IIT (Distinguished Design Award)
Project Video
We proudly congratulate Team Techtonic Energy IIT for receiving the Distinguished Design Award and a $5,250 prize in the Power the Community International College Design Competition 2025.
Kudos to Mohit Gupta, Ashmita Choudhury, Kunal Prasad, and Ronit Roy for their exceptional design of a smart, net-zero township — integrating renewable energy, sustainable housing, and innovative urban planning tailored for India’s future.
Project Details
Congratulations to Team Techtonic Energy IIT for winning the “Distinguished Design Award” award and a prize of $5,250 in the Power the Community International College Design Competition.
Team Techtonic Energy IIT designed a scalable hybrid microgrid solution tailored for rural and semi-urban areas, integrating solar energy, biomass conversion, and battery storage to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Their project emphasized cost-effectiveness, local material sourcing, and community-led maintenance strategies, aiming to bring sustainable electricity to more than 2,000 households.
The Distinguished Design Award and $5,250 was awarded to Team “Techtonic Energy IIT” in the 2025 Power the Community International College Design Competition.
Winning Price($10000)
Team Certificate
For their profound efforts in creating a community based on a affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for 2000 families.
Our Winners
5. Team Zambezi (Distinguished Design Award)
Project Video
We are excited to celebrate Team Zambezi, who were awarded the Distinguished Design Award along with $5,250 in recognition of their innovative contribution to the Power the Community 2025 competition.
Congratulations to Nqobile Gift Tshuma and Aja Leatherwood for presenting a transformative design that merges clean energy technologies with meaningful social impact.
Project Details
Team Zambezi was recognized for their Kariba Hybrid Community Microgrid—a scalable energy solution for rural Zimbabwe. Designed for 2,000 households in Siachilaba (Ward 10, Binga District), the system integrates floating solar panels, biogas digesters, LiFePO₄ batteries, and AI-based energy management.
The project ensures 24/7 access to clean electricity and cooking, reduces energy costs to under $13/month, and promotes health, sustainability, and local employment. With its modular, community-led design, the solution aligns with national energy goals and offers a replicable model for rural electrification.
The Distinguished Design Award and $5,250 was awarded to Team “Zambezi” in the 2025 Power the Community International College Design Competition.
Winning Price($10000)
Team Certificate
For their profound efforts in creating a community based on a affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for 2000 families.
