The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge is a global, multi-disciplinary competition that empowers teams of university students to help accelerate clean energy access. Delivered by Efficiency for Access with the support of Engineers Without Borders, the Challenge aims to raise awareness and inspire student engagement in the global off-grid appliance sector.

The third year of the competition began on 15 September. Students from National University of Lesotho and University of Port Harcourt joined 28 other universities participating in the Challenge. Students will have access to a series of live webinars and workshops, digital resource library, mentoring from sector experts and prototyping grants. In addition, participating student teams will also have access to an on-line workspace where they can interact with other students, see what others are working on, and learn from their peers. Industry partners can also participate in the workspace, providing feedback and sharing ideas and resources with students. The winning teams will be announced at the Grand Final in June 2022.

In the second year of the competition, a team of students from Gulu University won a bronze prize for their project ‘Point of Use Solar Ultraviolet Water Disinfection for Emergency Situations’ in the second year of the Challenge. A summary is available here. In the first year of the Challenge, a team from Strathmore University won a bronze prize for their project ‘Kijiji, a solar powered container with essential services for empowering rural communities’. A summary is available here.

For more information on how to get involved, contact: EforAChallenge@est.org.uk