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Students from Premiere Academy have won the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) renewable energy solution contest by developing an innovative project named the Premiere Academy Smart Solar Mini Grid (PASS G). This achievement highlights the students’ capacity for innovation and their ability to create practical solutions for sustainable energy challenges.
The winning project distinguished itself through its practicality, originality, and significant potential to encourage the adoption of sustainable energy within local communities.
PASS G Has Potential for Real-World Solutions
Their project was selected as the winner from a competitive field, showcasing its potential to make a real impact. The judges were impressed by how the solution addressed real-world energy issues in a way that could be easily implemented. This focus on community-level impact was a key factor in its success.
Chris Akinsowon, the school’s principal, congratulated the students, stating that the recognition is a testament to the school’s tradition of excellence, ethics, and teamwork. He emphasised that these values provide students with a solid foundation to compete with their peers globally in various positive fields. The principal also pledged the school’s continued support in providing students with access to cutting-edge technological skills and knowledge.
Okoro Chinedu, the team mentor, described the project as a transformative, technology-driven solution aimed at redefining sustainable renewable energy in Nigeria and across Africa. He noted that the achievement reflects the school’s culture of resilience, innovation, and dedication over its two decades of existence. The mentor further explained that the project aligns with the school’s mandate to help raise future leaders committed to creating a better, smarter, and greener world.
PASS G: Built to Save Energy and Combat Energy Theft
Beyond simply providing power, the innovation also incorporates features to combat energy theft and promote responsible energy consumption. By integrating a smart metering system, the project ensures that energy is used efficiently and fairly. This addresses common issues that plague energy distribution in many regions, making the solution more sustainable and manageable.
Lastly, the Premiere Smart Solar Mini Grid (PASS G) is built on an open-source foundation, meaning that the technology can be adapted and reproduced by others without significant barriers.
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How Premiere Academy Came Top
Premiere Academy secured the victory by outperforming nine other finalist schools in the prestigious STEAM competition. The contest, known as the Battle of Energy Titans (BE-TITANS), required schools to design and showcase innovative energy model projects capable of powering a community or solving local energy challenges. It is the flagship event of the annual Youth Eco Summit Nations Festival (YES-NAFEST).
Image source: Premiereacademy.org
Moderated by a Team of Expert Judges
The competition’s evaluation was conducted by an eight-member panel of expert judges representing various professional bodies. These included the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the Association of Professional Women in Engineering in Nigeria (APWEN), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). The diverse expertise of the judging panel ensured a comprehensive and credible assessment of all entries.
The judges unanimously praised the Premiere Academy entry, PASS G, for its innovative ability to ensure efficient energy use without depending on constant internet connectivity. The project’s technical design integrates a smart prepaid metering system with a solar-powered mini grid, using low-power hardware. This offline-ready capability is particularly crucial for its intended application in remote and underserved African communities.
PASS G offers a practical pathway to bringing sustainable electricity to areas that need it most by combining smart technology with solar power. It has been described by most reviewers as a scalable, affordable, and offline-ready renewable energy solution specifically designed for underserved African communities. The students’ success at the FCT renewable energy contest represents a significant achievement for Premiere Academy and a promising step forward for grassroots energy innovation.
