Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize

What’s
Your
Vision?

The Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize aims to fund activities related to climate and clean energy that support, build trust, and strengthen relationships and partnerships with disadvantaged communities.

To break down barriers between the U.S. Department of Energy and historically underrepresented communities, we’ve asked those working with the department to share their vision for a just and equitable clean energy future.

Graphic listing Beyond Silicon from Tempe Arizona as a Perovskite Prize Startup Prize Finalist

My vision for a renewable energy future is that people are at the center of it.

Jessica Lau, Grid Planning & Analysis Group Manager, NREL


Jessica’s headshot

It’s not simply buying out farms to put up solar, but it’s about enhancing community resilience to climate change and increasing energy demands.

Charles Scaife, ORISE/ORAU Fellow, Water Power Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy


Charles’ headshot

One of the most crucial things as we move forward, as we decarbonize our economy, is to make sure that everyone benefits from a decarbonized economy.

Rukmani Vijayaraghavan, Innovation and Market Transformation Advisor, Water Power Technologies Office at U.S. Department of Energy


Rukmani’s headshot

We need folks that represent all the different communities we have in the U.S. and across the world working on the clean energy transition.

Eric Lockhart, Integrated Applications Center Group Manager, NREL


Eric’s headshot

If we can just think about clean energy as a way to reduce emissions but also create opportunities… for a whole host of communities it will… allow us to make sure that everyone is not only treated fairly but in an equitable way.

Kerene Tayloe, Consultant on Minority Programs and Entrepreneurship, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, Department of Energy


Kerene’s headshot

It’s not just about increasing equity and access to a renewable energy future, it’s how do we create a more level playing field for people to come up with ideas, businesses, solutions, be a part of this actual transformation.

Jenn Garson, Acting Director, Water Power Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy


Jenn’s headshot

We’re never going to get adoption of these great things if we don’t include and work with those who are affected by these impacts. If we don’t talk to them in a meaningful way, include them, and be respectful of their viewpoints and thoughts… we’re not going to change our communities, our country, the world, in a meaningful way.

Bill Kindred, Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, NREL


Bill’s headshot

It’s not one thing that’s going to make the world more resilient or make the energy transition more inclusive. We need to be doing multiple things and think about how we live what we are talking about.

Garrett Nilsen, Acting Director, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office


Garrett’s headshot

When we’re thinking about the energy transition, we need to invest in inclusive innovation, diverse innovation, and bringing as many people to the table as possible

Maya Whalen-Kipp, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellow, Water Power Technologies Office at U.S. Department of Energy


Maya’s headshot

Want to share your vision for an inclusive energy future?

Record your message and then share it by using the hashtags #WhatsYourVision and #InclusiveEnergy Innovation Prize. Be sure to also tag the American-Made Challenges Twitter account (@AMCprizes)!*

*When sharing images on social media as part of the #WhatsYourVision campaign, please be aware that they may be re-shared to a larger audience by the prize account and/or other users.

Solutions that help shape the future

Are you a community-centric individual, team, or organization who is interested in being part of a diverse and inclusive clean innovation ecosystem? Bring your innovative idea to life with the with the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize. Reach out to the organizers to find out how you can get involved.

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