In a momentous achievement, Aftrak secured the top position and a prize of $1 million in the Milken Motsepe Prize for Green Energy at a prestigious awards ceremony held in Los Angeles on Monday, May 6th.
The groundbreaking project, developed at Loughborough University, introduces a revolutionary self-sustaining system comprising a solar microgrid and a micro electric tractor, both pioneered and manufactured at the university. Additionally, the project incorporates Deep Bed Farming, a technique that significantly boosts crop yield.
Dr. Jonathan Wilson, the project lead and Lecturer in Sustainable Energy Systems at Loughborough University, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Recognition from the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy spurs us on in our mission to make real and positive change to the people and farmers of Africa.”
Describing the Aftrak system as an “economy in a box,” Dr. Wilson elaborated on its components, highlighting how the solar array electrifies the community and powers the micro electric tractor, enabling villages to employ Deep Bed Farming and substantially increase crop yield. This, in turn, facilitates the purchase of power from the microgrid, creating a self-sustaining model for decentralized energy access.
Aftrak is a collaborative effort involving researchers from Loughborough University’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Tiyeni – a Malawian NGO, The Consortium for Battery Innovation, Innovate UK, and Varta by Clarios – a leading battery manufacturer.
Alex Gerard, Executive Director for Tiyeni, emphasized the transformative impact of Aftrak, particularly in rural African communities. He stated, “Aftrak has the potential to take this to the next level, speeding up land preparation and making it more accessible, whilst also providing green energy to even the most remote communities.”
Dr. Carl Telford, Research, and Innovation Director at the Consortium for Battery Innovation, underscored the significance of Aftrak in integrating advanced lead batteries with solar panels to deliver affordable, safe, and stable energy supplies for off-grid rural communities.
Following successful tests and demonstrations, Aftrak is now being deployed in Malawi, where the majority of the population faces multidimensional poverty and lacks access to electricity. The project holds promise for addressing food and energy insecurity, empowering communities to thrive in a sustainable manner.