Kpando SHS wins 2024 Energy Commission SHS Renewable Energy Challenge
The Kpando Senior High School (SHS) in the Volta Region has won the fifth edition of the Energy Commission SHS Renewable Energy Challenge after beating five other schools.
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The team came first with 85 points, beating Dabokpa Technical Institute in the Ahafo Region with three points and St James Seminary SHS at the Bono Region with four points.
Obuasi Senior High Technical School in the Ashanti Region placed fourth with 80 points, Ahantaman Girls’ SHS in the Western Region also placed fifth with 79 points and Ola Girls’ SHS in that order.
Competition
The competition, held on the theme: “Application of renewable energy technologies in solving land degradation and water pollution,” aimed to encourage students to develop innovative solutions that address the pressing environmental challenges, including poor waste management and illegal mining.
The competition was organised by the Energy Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Participating schools were expected to develop projects focused on mitigating the impacts of land degradation and water pollution through renewable energy solutions.
The winning schools will receive funding and support from the commission and its partners to further develop and implement their projects in real-world settings.
Harnessing plastic as gold
The winner’s project titled, “Harnessing Plastic as Gold”, aimed to convert plastic waste into a valuable resource for environmental restoration.
The machine will repurpose plastic waste into eco-friendly materials that could be used in construction and agriculture.
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By integrating solar and wind energy technologies into their waste management system, the students demonstrated how renewable energy could power plastic recycling processes, reducing pollution while providing sustainable alternatives to traditional energy-intensive methods.
The students also demonstrated how renewable energy could drive waste management systems, water purification technologies, and green agricultural practices, helping to lower carbon emissions.
Rationale
The Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Ebenezer Amonoo-Neizer, in his opening remarks, said the competition, since its inception, was not only to foster education but also to encourage students to develop creative and practical solutions to environmental problems.
Cost
The wife of the Vice-President, Samira Bawumia, said according to the World Bank’s Ghana Country Environmental Analysis, environmental degradation costs the country over $6 billion annually.
Prizes
The grand finale competition took place at the Accra International Conference Centre last Tuesday, with the winning school receiving a trophy, a cash prize of GH¢10,000, a five-kilowatt solar PV system, 30 solar lamps, 25 GAST books, 25 LED streetlights and a plaque.
The team members also received GH¢3,000 each for emerging as the best team in the competition, five laptops, 15 solar lamps and 20 wall lights, certificate, set of branded souvenirs.
The second school received GH¢7,000 cash prize, 30 solar lamps, 20 GAST books and 25 LED streetlights, a memento while the third school received GH¢5,000, 25 solar lamps, 25 LED streetlights, a memento and 15 GAST books.
The team members for the second and third positions received GH¢2,000 each, five tablets, 10 solar lamps and 10 wall lights, certificate and a set of branded souvenirs.
The other schools received GH¢1,000 each, 10 solar lamps, 5 phones, certificate for emerging fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.