Zayed Future Energy Prize (Grant of $100,000) Selects UWCMC as a Finalist

Zayed Future Energy Prize

Grant of $100,000 for Green Energy

1,437 Applicants

97 Represented Countries

UWC Mahindra College – One of the 14 Finalists.

On the opposite side of Mulshi valley is a field with rows upon rows of gleaming solar panels. Barbed wire fences surround the area, and the solar panels are aligned up to the water’s edge of Mulshi Lake; is itself a product of a renewable energy project – the Mulshi Dam. I have taken notice of these green energy projects in the surrounding area, but on campus I often forget about the energy problems facing the greater community. We have electricity 24 hours a day and when the energy from the government grid disconnects, the hum of a diesel generator immediately kicks in. The United World College mission statement demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and one of the most basic ways we can improve our efforts is through reducing our consumption of natural resources while trying to meet our needs using environmentally friendly means. We have an admirable vision when it comes to sustainability, but acquiring the resources to implement solutions on the ground is a much greater challenge.

Then, last year, we found out about Sheikh Zayed – the founder of the United Arab Emirates and also an environmental philanthropist. After his death, he established Zayed Future Energy Prize – a fund, which provides grants totaling to US $4 million, making it the world’s largest annual prize in renewable energy and sustainability. Each year, a grant of $100,000 is given to a high school on each continent – enough to make a real investment into green energy. My Brazilian friend Lucas and I knew the potential was great, and through the encouragement of teachers, we decided to develop a proposal. After analyzing the feasibility of technologies such as hydro, wind, solar and biogas, we settled on two technologies to channel through two major components 1) on-campus renewable energy production; and 2) community engagement with a local primary school.

An image of Nanegaon Village where the proposed solar and biogas generator would be installed at a primary school.

• The on-campus green energy project would compose of a 50kW solar panel installation, which would provide about 13% of the schools electricity needs. Additionally, the school uses a significant amount of Liquid Petroleum Gasoline (LPG) for cooking in the cafeteria. An alternative way to produce cooking gas is through biogas generation. In this process, food waste is put into a large storage unit and as the organic matter breaks down, methane gas is produced and collected for use directly in the cafeteria. Additionally, the decomposed food waste creates a nutrient rich ‘slurry’ that can be used as fertilizer on the organic farm. Biogas generation is a perfect example of how environmental cycles can be worked with, instead of fought against, in developing energy solutions.
• The second part of the project is where students will play a major role. A local primary school will be fitted with solar panels and a smaller-scale biogas generator enabling the facility to become energy self-sufficient. More importantly, this component will allow students at UWCMC and the local school to learn about green energy though hands-on work with the technology. Through workshops with the energy company, students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to support the installation and maintenance. The goal is not to solely provide useful infrastructure, but to create a heightened sense of responsibility to act, and for youth to educate their peers on the importance and potential of green energy.

In October, we received the news that of 1,437 applicants from 97 countries, we are one of the 14 finalists. Why do we think we deserve to win?  In our educational platform, we work to inspire action. Winning the prize will provide the resources for students to implement their learning through participating in a larger scale green energy project. Whether or not we do win, it has been a valuable learning process and we hope our research can be used as a framework for green energy projects in the future. With the COP 21 conference in Paris facing world leaders to make pressing decisions to combat climate change, we are trying to do our small part on the other side of the world.

– Jayden Rae (Class of ’16)

Canada