promoting solutions to energy access across the globe
Empower a Billion Lives
Despite decades of efforts by governments and non-governmental organizations, about 700 million people today still do not have access to electricity and 3 billion experience energy poverty so severe that it impacts their lives. Climate change and new technologies such as solar and electric vehicles could also widen the gap between those who can access it and those who cannot. However, 21st-century technologies hold the promise of scalable solutions to abundant energy that is affordable, clean, and equitable.
To encourage the development of solutions, the Global Energy Access Forum (GEAF) organizes Empower a Billion Lives (EBL), a recurring global competition that creates an ecosystem of technologists and entrepreneurs that develop, demonstrate, derisk, and deploy new energy access solutions, that are holistic, economically viable, and rapidly scalable in the target markets. Learn more by visiting EBL’s website and YouTube channel.
Help Make a Difference!
EBL believes that energy should be affordable, clean, and equitable for everyone worldwide. Please consider donating to this initiative to help give access to billions of people who currently live in energy poverty.
About the Competition
Teams are invited to participate in the EBL competition by developing and deploying a scalable and holistic solution to complex issues of abundant energy access, equity, and sustainability. They come from around the globe and from all walks of life, including companies, entrepreneurial startups, research organizations, and university students. PELS organizes the competition through the Global Energy Access Forum (GEAF). The competition is agnostic to business models, energy sources, and technologies while evaluating the potential impact and ability to rapidly and sustainably scale solutions.
Past Competitions
2025
EBL-III
More details coming soon.
2023
EBL-II
The Global Final was held on 21 March 2023 and all of the solutions presented by winners can be viewed below.
Grand Prize Winner
Nanoé
For developing access to electricity and employment by creating a new electrification model for Africa, progressive and modular, based on renewable energies, information and communication technologies, and local entrepreneurship
Best Centralized Solution
Standard Microgrid
For using an innovative approach to distributed renewable power services. Providing reliable power services to communities, growth opportunities for partners and staff, and financial returns to investors
Best Decentralized Solution
SolarWorX
For providing real modularity in scalable, reliable, affordable, and sustainable solar energy solutions to rural entrepreneurs and private households in emerging countries
best end-use solution
D-Olivette
For inventing easy-to-use digester products that provide a safe alternative to clean cooking and with the aid of a modified generator can be used for electricity with the by-products of non-harmful organic fertilizer and clean water
Best Impact Solution
Atutu
For designing solar energy solutions that efficiently address the energy needs of off-grid and marginalized communities in Southeast Asia.
Best Automatic Centric Solution
Green Empowerment
For building clean water and renewable energy infrastructure with Indigenous and rural communities across the globe
Best Student Teams
First Place
R2P Cube – PSUT – Jordan
PSUT Engineering 2 – PSUT – Jordan
Third Place
IITK Smart Grid – IITK – India
Honorable Mentions
Living Energy Farm – USA
Solar Freeze – Kenya
Scalable Solar Ice Makers
2019
EBL-I
Starting in 2018 with 475 registered teams from 70 countries, 170 proposals were reviewed and 82 teams were selected to compete at one of the five Regional Rounds that took place in Africa (Johannesburg, South Africa), Americas (Atlanta, Georgia, USA), Europe (Seville, Spain), Pacific Asia (Shenzhen, China), and South Asia (Chennai, India).
The Global Final was held on 1 October 2019 and all of the solutions presented by the finalists can be viewed below. EBL would like to thank the following supporters of this event: Center for Distributed Energy at the Georgia Institute of Technology, IEEE Foundation, Kehua Technologies, On Semiconductors, Southern Company, Sungrow Technology, Texas Instruments and partners, and Vicor.
Grand Prize Winner
SoULS Initiative, IIT Bombay
For their solution of Solar Urja through localization through stability
Best Base of the Pyramid Solution
Xpower
For designing, building, and operating next-generation solar microgrids for rural electrification – combining mains AC and low voltage DC allows the grids to be optimized for cost and yet designed to scale with users’ needs over time
Best Students Team Prize
Reeddi
For sustainably providing clean energy and allied innovations at a pricepoint that individuals and businesses operating in energy-poor regions of the world can afford
Centralized Commercial Prize
Havenill Synergy
For using solar energy to generate clean, safe, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity in rural and urban Nigeria
Centralized Emergent Prize
Entrepreneurs du Monde and Okra
For their solution to support people’s entrepreneurial ventures and give them access to products that can bring significant health, economic, and environmental benefits
Decentralized Commercial Prize
SoULS Initiative, IIT Bombay
Decentralized Emergent Prize
SolarWorX
For designing and manufacturing the next generation of solar pay-as-you-go solutions sold on a B2B basis
Honorable Mention
Connex Solar (previously Smart-Grids Lab)
For developing plug-and-play smart DC network controllers for bottom-up electrification in the Developing World
Honorable Mention
Simusolar
For providing farmers and fishers with the IoT-enabled tools they need to improve productivity and income
