Gujarat Energy Idea Awards 2024
In partnership with GETCO
Mission Statement
To celebrate the unique creativity and ideas of people from and for the grassroots and recognize their contribution towards making Gujarat inclusive and innovative.
Objective
- To identify 10 grassroots ideas, help them achieve scale by adding value, design, and other inputs from formal organizations including private companies.
- To do market research, develop strategies, protect IP where needed, promote solutions as DIY, and facilitate partnerships between innovators and entrepreneurs.
- To unleash the creativity of students and common people helping them gain respect, recognition, and reward ideas from around the world through GETCO awards.
- To undertake research and policy studies to nurture and promote an inclusive innovation ecosystem.
The Gujarat Energy Idea Awards 2024, a state-level initiative celebrating innovative ideas in the energy sector, concluded with a grand ceremony at the 5th International Conference on Creativity and Innovation at Grassroots (ICCIG) at IIM Ahmedabad. Organized by Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) and supported by Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO), the awards recognized students, grassroots innovators, and MSMEs for their creative and forward-thinking ideas in sustainable energy.
The awards aimed to inspire and promote novel ideas in energy conservation, generation, augmentation, storage, and distribution, encouraging innovative approaches that contribute to the energy transition and address critical environmental challenges. The competition witnessed overwhelming participation, with over 650 entries received for the Idea Awards. After a rigorous evaluation, 10 outstanding idea contributors were honored for their visionary solutions in the energy sector.
Gujarat Energy Idea Awards 2024: Top Innovators
Each of the top 10 winners in the Idea Awards received INR 20,000, a certificate, and a trophy for their novel solutions, which ranged from bioplastics and solar energy to waste management and innovative battery systems.
Jhanvi Amit Gandhi – Biocastic – The Better Plastic
A cost-effective alternative to single-use plastics in food packaging, combining recycled paper with bioplastic layers to reduce environmental impact and packaging costs.
Vasoya Aman ManojBhai – Mini Biogas Plant
An innovative biogas system that prevents slurry settlement by using a compressor to circulate air, boosting productivity and enhancing efficiency.
Luhar Shiv JitendraKumar – Development of a Non-electrical Device to Track the Sun’s Movement
A solar panel tracking device that uses a simple water balance mechanism to adjust panel orientation based on the sun’s position, ideal for off-grid areas.
Dev Patel – TurbineRooftop Water Pipe
An innovative system that captures the kinetic energy of flowing water from rooftop storage pipes to generate electricity, providing a sustainable power source.
Shravan Kumar – Triple Benefit from Waste
A circular agriculture system that converts kitchen and market waste into insect protein, biogas, and organic fertilizer, promoting sustainability in waste management.
Rawat Santosh – Nature in Paper, Siyas
Eco-friendly, weatherproof paper pots made from repurposed materials offer a sustainable alternative to traditional floral arrangements, reducing waste.
Yasam Veera Reddy – Flother – Textiles from Floral Waste
Discarded flowers from temples and markets are often dumped in rivers or landfills, creating environmental issues. This innovation repurposes floral waste into plant-based textiles, leather alternatives, incense sticks, and candles. The “Flother” material combines flower waste and textile fibers to create a durable, biodegradable, and cruelty-free leather alternative that can be used in fashion, automotive, and other industries.
Raju Barman – Phase Change Material-Based Thermoelectric Refrigeration System
Cooling systems are essential, but they contribute significantly to energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This solar-powered portable refrigerator integrates thermoelectric cooling and Phase Change Material (PCM) to optimize energy efficiency. The PCM helps enhance solar panel performance and longevity, making it a sustainable and portable solution for food and medical storage in off-grid areas.
Darsh Kelaiya – Fuel-Saving Car Batteries – Capturing Heat for Energy
Vehicles generate waste heat, which is usually lost. This innovation converts excess heat into electricity, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The recovered energy can be used to partially power the vehicle, helping to lower fuel costs and mitigate environmental impact.
Parama Datta – Foldable Parabolic Dome-Type Solar Dryer
Traditional food drying methods are inefficient and often waste energy. This solar-powered dryer features a foldable dome design, which optimizes heat absorption and airflow while being portable and space-efficient. Farmers and small businesses can use this dryer to preserve agricultural products without relying on electricity, reducing waste and improving food security.
