Photograph courtesy Seattle Biochar Working Group
Innovative Energy Solutions
The Great Energy Challenge grant program, in collaboration with a distinguished group of scientists acting as the board of advisors, awards roughly a half-dozen grants per year. The goal of the grant program is to hasten the growth of promising, global energy solutions as a response to climate change, energy resource constraints and environmental limitations.
The grant program highlights innovative efforts addressing these issues and seeks to help leaders navigate the difficulties of early-stage entrepreneurship. The grant program has a global focus, yet aims to highlight solutions for a specific country or community. These promising endeavors make strides toward alleviating energy poverty, developing new technology and/or identifying the greatest potential for large energy gains.
The Great Energy Challenge grant program supports the following grantees:
-
TapWorld
Forester and conservationist Dr. Willie Smits has collaborated with local organizations to develop a small-scale facility to sustainably harvest juice from the Arenga sugar palm.
-
Solar Electric Light Fund
SELF is working in West Africa to install solar power systems that provide electricity for drip-irrigation, water supply, schools, health centers, Internet facilities and other critical services.
-
SeaChar
The Seattle Biochar Working Group (SeaChar) developed a biochar-producing, micro-gasifier stove to serve Costa Rica’s Santos region, home of migrant coffee farmers.
-
ACON
The African Christians Organization Network (ACON) has been working in Western Kenya since 2000 to empower villagers by providing opportunities for development that are environmentally sustainable.
-
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat For Humanity of Washington, D.C. (DC Habitat) is constructing six passive row houses in the Northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C.
-
EarthSpark
EarthSpark aims to mitigate energy poverty by developing smart micro-grids that efficiently leverage existing electricity generation from cell phone towers to provide power to nearby homes and small businesses.
-
Engineers Without Borders
In Uganda, EWB is implementing a Multifunction Energy Platform that can provide a host of services including providing mechanization for agricultural processing, electricity generation, and irrigation.
-
Swayam Krishi Sangam
SKS works with tribal women from ultra poor families in India to make fuel briquettes for cooking purposes as well as incense sticks used in Indian temples, churches and mosques after dipping them in fragrant scents.
-
Frontier Markets
Frontier Markets has developed a market channel to bring clean energy products and services to rural households in India.
-
EGG-energy
EGG-energy bridges the gap between power generation and the end-customers by packaging electricity in a set of small, rechargeable and fully recyclable batteries that are rented out to customers.
-
Legacy Foundation
Legacy Foundation focuses on stopping the destruction of forests while increasing local employment and income.
-
Ghonsla
Ghonsla is a social enterprise that provides effective and affordable insulation to underserved markets in Pakistan.
-
Green Empowerment
Green Empowerment is working with marginalized communities to provide affordable access to clean energy via micro-hydro development in Malaysian Borneo.
-
Impact Energies
Impact Energies is creating the first countrywide repair network for solar lighting systems in Africa.
More About Energy
-
What Is the Great Energy Challenge?
The Great Energy Challenge is a National Geographic initiative to help you understand our current energy situation. Explore the GEC to figure out and trim your carbon footprint.
-
Global Fossil-Fuel Subsidies Map
See which countries pay the most for tax breaks and other mechanisms that keep fossil-fuel prices down.
-
Light Bulb Savings Calculator
How much could you save yourself, and the world, by switching to more efficient bulbs? Use this tool to find out.
-
The Global Electricity Mix
An interactive view of how regions and countries around the world generate their power.
-
Great Energy Challenge Grantees
Learn more about the energy-saving projects being funded as part of National Geographic's Great Energy Challenge program.
-
The 360° Energy Diet
Follow this plan to reduce your energy use, from using less fuel to changing what you eat.
-
Global Greenhouse Gas Footprints
See how the world's biggest economies stack up on emissions with an interactive map.
Energy Video
Latest Energy News
- Tesla Motors' Success Gives Electric Car Market a Charge
- Wind Energy’s Shadow: Turbines Drag Down Power Potential
- On Mount Everest, Seeking Biogas Energy in a Mountain of Waste
- Climate Milestone: Earth's CO2 Level Passes 400 ppm
- Solar Impulse's U.S. Expedition Begins
- Pro-Environment Light Bulb Labeling Turns Off Conservative Buyers, Study Finds
Advertisement
Great Energy Challenge Blog
Special Report: Shale Gas Rush
-
A Dream Dashed by the Rush on Gas
The shale gas industry maintains that it protects drinking water and land. But mistrust has been sown in rural communities.
-
New Jobs Through Energy
The industry promises jobs to a state badly in need of an economic boost, but the work so far isn't where you might expect it to be.
-
Mapping a Gas Boom
Track the growing mark that energy companies have etched on Pennsylvania since first producing natural gas from shale.