- Students of Premiere Academy, Abuja, won the Battle of Energy Titans Challenge with PASS G, a smart solar mini-grid designed for underserved communities.
- The scalable, offline-ready system integrates prepaid metering and promotes affordable, efficient and sustainable energy access.
Students of Premiere Academy, Abuja, won the Battle of Energy Titans (BE-TITANS) Challenge after defeating nine other finalists with their renewable energy innovation, the Premiere Academy Smart Solar Mini Grid (PASS-G).
The competition serves as the flagship event of the annual Youth Eco Summit National Festival (YES-NAFEST). The platform challenges schools to design practical energy solutions that power communities, promote sustainability and solve local energy problems.
An eight-member panel of judges unanimously ranked PASS-G as the top entry. The panel included representatives from the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Association of Professional Women in Engineering in Nigeria (APWEN), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement.
The team designed PASS-G as a scalable and affordable solar mini-grid for underserved African communities. Moreover, the system operates offline, which strengthens its suitability for remote areas. It integrates a smart prepaid metering system powered by low-energy hardware such as the ESP32 microcontroller and PZEM-004T energy meters. As a result, users can monitor and control electricity consumption without constant internet access.
Judges praised the team’s use of open-source platforms. Consequently, the solution remains cost-effective, easy to replicate and adaptable to rural settings. They also noted that the system curbs energy theft, promotes responsible consumption and delivers reliable clean electricity to off-grid communities.
Team mentor Mr Okoro Chinedu described the project as a transformative, technology-driven solution. He explained that the system reimagines sustainable renewable energy provision and consumption in Nigeria and across Africa. Furthermore, he said the achievement reflects the school’s culture of resilience and innovation.
The school’s principal, Mr Chris Akinsowon, congratulated the students on their victory. He stated that the win reinforces Premiere Academy’s tradition of excellence, teamwork and ethical leadership. In addition, he pledged continued support to equip students with advanced technological skills aligned with global trends.
The victory highlights rising youth-led innovation in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. As solar mini-grids gain momentum, young innovators continue to play a critical role in expanding electricity access across underserved communities.