The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that 19 teams participating in the Community Energy Innovation Prize have completed the challenge to support innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic development in historically underrepresented communities.
The teams in the Clean Energy Ecosystem and Manufacturing Ecosystem tracks were awarded at least $10,000 each for completing the final IMPAC Phase of the prize. The top performing teams received up to $310,000 in prize money. Winners were selected based on the strength of their partnerships and proven impact in their respective communities.
The winners were announced at the Community Energy Innovation Summit at the University of Illinois Chicago.
The event concludes DOE’s Community Energy Innovation Prize, which awarded nearly $7.5 million. Projects included mentoring students to deploy clean energy in their communities, workforce development initiatives, community education, and technology deployment.
“From providing energy efficient appliances for low-income households in California, to creating metals manufacturing jobs in former coal communities in Kentucky—these teams have enacted creative plans to address local challenges and improve the lives of people across America,” said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in a statement.
For the complete list of Community Energy Innovation Prize winners, visit Energy.gov.