Community Energy Innovation Prize

The 19 teams in the Clean Energy Ecosystem and Manufacturing Ecosystem Tracks have successfully completed the challenge to support innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic development in communities historically underrepresented in clean energy funding. All 19 teams were awarded $10,000 for completing the final IMPACT Phase of the prize, with GRAND PRIZE winners receiving up to $310,000 in prize money based on the strength of their partnerships and proven in their communities. See what each team achieved and how much they were awarded below: 

The GRAND PRIZE and IMPACT Phase winners of the Community Energy Innovation Prize are as follows: 

Clean Energy Ecosystem Tracks GRAND PRIZE Winners  

Requity Foundation, Baltimore, MD  

Breaking down barriers between vocational education and the clean energy workforce through passive house, EV charging infrastructure, and weatherization pilot projects.  

Awarded $310,00 

Community Through Colors, Isabel Segunda, Vieques, PR  

Accelerating the development of microgrids to rural and disadvantaged communities, community service centers, and local businesses to increase distribution capacity for essential services.  

Awarded $310,000 

East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) and Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF), Minneapolis, MN  

Using a former superfund site to build the largest solar array closest to a city center in the U.S. a project that is member-owned by neighbor residents.  

Awarded $160,000 

People Power: Energy Security/Ownership, Fort Smith, AR  

Delivering energy efficiency and clean energy solutions to disinvested neighborhoods by installing solar on community centers.  

Awarded $160,000 

Team Bean, New Orleans, LA  

Expanding understanding of clean energy and climate resilience challenges and opportunities for local public-school students.  

Awarded $160,000 

Convivencia Hispana Energy Navigators, St. James, MN  

Creating a community energy navigator program to provide 200 free energy audits to Latino residents and increase awareness of energy efficiency and clean energy opportunities.  

Awarded $100,000 

Shake Energy Collaborative, Honolulu, HI  

Supporting historically disinvested communities in Hawai’i to codesign renewable energy projects and bid for upcoming utility procurements.  

Awarded $100,000 

LEI Foundation, Wai’anae, HI  

Engaging youth to strengthen local renewable energy education initiatives and partnering with local organizations to develop the Waianae Moku Energy Plan to advance local renewable energy development. 

Awarded $100,000 

Pomona Direct-to-Renter, Pomona, CA  

Providing low-income renters with a portfolio of no-cost clean energy technologies to build energy resilience, save money, improve air quality, and reduce local GHG emissions.  

Awarded $100,000 

RESCo Innovation Team (RIT), Rosebud Sioux Reservation, SD  

Coordinating and promoting clean energy technologies and sustainable solutions on the Rosebud Reservation to build local capacity for business ownership and drive local economic growth.  

Awarded $100,00 

Manufacturing Ecosystem Track GRAND PRIZE Winners  

Eighth Generation Consulting, Pawhuska, OK  

Cultivating a recycling ecosystem that empowers indigenous communities with economic opportunities and job skills for a sustainable future.  

Awarded $260,000 

The PDX Clean Industry Network, Portland, OR  

Providing middle wage jobs to underserved communities, reducing waste and emissions, improving business sustainability, supporting organizational resilience, and fostering innovation in Oregon’s largest economic corridor.  

Awarded $110,000 

CEIP Warren, Warren, OH  

Combining manufacturing skills education with energy entrepreneurship in a redesigned community center that fosters inclusivity and innovation.  

Awarded $110,000 

Clean Tech Innovation Network, Chicago, IL  

Reducing barriers for startups and SMEs to create new clean energy products and jobs, especially those led by people of color and women, to drive economic growth through domestic manufacturing.  

Awarded $60,000 

Manufacturing Ecosystem Track IMPACT Phase Winners 

Green Leap Riverside, Riverside County, CA  

Developing a digital roadmap to equip the executive level and building management team of small to medium-sized manufacturing facilities in Riverside County with the knowledge to increase energy efficiency.  

Awarded $10,000 

Scale for ClimateTech, New York State  

Providing capacity-building programming and support to under-represented manufacturers and cleantech startups to achieve key manufacturing milestones and accelerate the time it takes to move from a prototype to a commercial product. 

Awarded $10,000 

Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), Four Counties in KY  

Revitalizing Kentucky metals manufacturing by planning clean energy conversion, statewide recycling, and innovative workforce solutions in former coal communities.  

Awarded $10,000 

APLUS, Arlington, TX  

Bridging the gap between lab learning and job searching for underserved students through hands-on power electronic training, increased access to industry experts, and internship opportunities.  

Awarded $10,000 

IMPACTT, Evansville, IN  

A regional entrepreneurship program for participants to identify, research, and analyze technology inventions and patents in energy, climate and the environment.  

Awarded $10,000 

Read the full announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Are you going to be in the Midwest Dec. 4-5? This two-day summit will showcase 19 awardees of the Community Energy Innovation Prize’s Clean Energy Ecosystem and Manufacturing Ecosystem tracks, offer site visits to local community and clean energy leaders, and feature DOE-led discussions on community-based clean energy initiatives. The summit will conclude with the announcement of the Community Energy Innovation Prize IMPACT Phase and GRAND PRIZE winners. 

Register here to join us at the at the University of Illinois Chicago on Dec. 4-5 for a dynamic event that will bring together innovators, stakeholders, and community leaders working on the forefront of energy and manufacturing ecosystems. 

For more details on the summit agenda, travel logistics, and accommodation, check out the full event page. 

Get to know the Community Energy Innovation Prize PROGRESS Phase winners who are hard at work progressing plans that will help them achieve their goals of tackling energy justice in their communities!

Today's spotlight includes:

Clean Energy Ecosystem Track: Shake Energy Collaborative

Manufacturing Ecosystem Track: Eighth-Generation Consulting

Get to know the Community Energy Innovation Prize PROGRESS Phase winners who are hard at work progressing plans that will help them achieve their goals of tackling energy justice in their communities!

Today's spotlight includes:

Clean Energy Ecosystem Track: RESCo Innovation Team

Manufacturing Ecosystem Track: Clean Tech Innovation Network (CTIN)

Winners across both the Clean Energy Ecosystem Track and Manufacturing Ecosystem Track should submit their stories, impacts, and resources by this Friday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. ET for a chance to win $10,000 and a piece of the $1.5M and $500K Grand Prizes!  

Here’s what to do:  

1. Review the Official Prize Rules to confirm what to submit  
2. Use the submission checklist (optional) to help guide your materials  
3. Leverage your Power Connectors to help provide submission feedback and prepare for your live pitch presentation 
4. Start uploading your Impact Report and Resources for Public Dissemination in advance to avoid network difficulties!  
5. Email communityenergy@nrel.gov if you’re having trouble submitting (before 5 p.m. ET).

We can’t wait to read about your hard work!

For all of our competing teams and general followers of the competition, you are invited to join the free CEI Summit! See the event landing page for full information, including registration and travel logistics.