IIT hosts second edition of carbon zero challenge

Its objective is to identify and curate practical innovative and indigenous solutions with a sound business case at scale to solve energy and environmental problems in the country. The challenge aims to create a global impact by combining three powerful factors, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Energy and Environment, and Youth, to protect future generations.

The winners were announced on June 7, 2019 during the Grand Finale in the presence of a host of industry experts and dignitaries. The top three projects are “circular economy domain”, a self-sustained integrated closed cycle coconut shell activated carbon production by a student team, “Electric vehicle domain”, electric powertrain solutions for e-commerce logistics by another student’s team and “Clean energy domain” and “Agricultural Domain”, an agricultural dehydrator to increase the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, and spices, by another team ofstudents.

Shambhu Kallolikar, Principal Secretary to TN Government, Environment, and Forests Department, said, “Innovations can bring about a paradigm shift in tackling energy and environmental challenges by providing affordable, low-carbon, scalable, and industry-acceptable solutions. I believe Carbon Zero Challenge contest is a significant step in the right direction in encouraging home-grown technology to solve the nation’s problems”. The progress of the teams was closely monitored throughout the contest with staged fund release, monthly progress reports, and a one-on-one mid-term review by a panel of judges. The contest culminated in a three-day exhibition launched on World environment day during which 21 experts headed by a three-member jury panel from industry and academia evaluated the teams.

The challenge is a one-of-its-kind contest and a pioneering initiative by IIT Madras and fully supported by Virtusa Corporation. The program’s uniqueness lies in the fact that it is one-of-its-kind initiative in its category that focuses on the energy, and environment technological innovations, at a national level and supports the eco-entrepreneurs in the five thematic areas.