Before we dive into each finalist, here is a short description on why PSMA created this award in the first place. The Global Energy Efficiency Award is to inspire electrical system designers and manufacturers to explore new technologies, architectures, and components for better energy efficiency. The award casts a spotlight on these successful efforts for us to celebrate.
Solafam (Uganda) – For its hybrid solar-powered cold room for rural access
Solafam is revolutionizing energy access and food security by providing hybrid solar-powered cold rooms to rural communities in Uganda. With limited access to electricity and unreliable cooling methods, farmers often face significant losses due to spoilage.
To address these challenges, Solafam has developed a system combining cutting-edge cold chain technology with a sustainable business model to empower rural communities. With the pay-per-use model offered by Solafam, farmers can store perishable fruits, vegetables, and dairy products at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional cooling methods. The system reduces food wastage from 40% to less than 10% in Uganda. Beyond food preservation, the cold rooms also serve as energy hubs for the community. Excess solar energy generated by the system is sold to local businesses, including hair salons, cold drinks retailers, and phone charging stations. This not only fosters economic growth but also accelerates the adoption of clean energy technologies in rural areas.
For their work, Solafam Uganda is also MIT Solve 2024 Global Climate Challenge Semi-Finalist (https:/solve.mit.edu/challenges/2024-global-climate-challenge/solutions/90388).
Pulsiv (UK) – For its high-efficiency 65W USB Type-C adapter design
Based in the UK, engineers at Pulsiv have developed a 65W USB-C adapter design which delivers a 96% peak efficiency and 95% average efficiency. It incorporates a half-active bridge with a 20% smaller transformer compared to other designs. It has reduced line currents by 90%, thermal load is 30% lower than other designs for better safety and reliability, and there is no inrush current or input voltage derating. Furthermore, it delivers the same noteworthy energy efficiency over all load conditions even at light loads.
Designed predominantly for USB-C in-wall/desk applications, it serves the USB-C market, a multi-billion-dollar section of the industry. Addressing both size and safety, this ultra-efficient design can benefit billions of devices, thus lowering the overall energy consumed significantly.
TCL (China) – For its super-efficient, single-stage multi-output power supply design for 32" and 43" TVs
To improve efficiency substantially in television power supplies, TCL, a TV manufacturer in China, has adopted an innovative single-stage multi-output power supply chip in 32-inch and 43-inch TV models. Since 2022, TCL R&D has spearheaded designs using a unique single-stage multi-output chip to replace prior two-stage designs. The simplification to a single-stage design eliminates a boost converter, thereby enabling a significant efficiency improvement of 8 to 9% and reducing active-mode system power by 4.2W in a 32-inch TV and 6.3W in a 43-inch TV. By greatly exceeding the mandatory efficiency regulations for televisions, TCL has gone beyond the call of duty to adopt this single-stage design to lead in the design and manufacture of TVs with the lowest power consumption in the market.
Congratulations again to all three of our finalists! Based on their respective system designs, it's clear that whoever is chosen as the winner, it will not have been an easy decision for the judges! We hope that these finaliists have inspired others to improve their electrical energy efficiency too!
hile we eagerly await the announcement of the winner for