Georgia Tech Carbon Reduction Challenge Creates Innovative Solutions and Promising Results

The Georgia Tech Carbon Reduction Challenge (Challenge) wrapped up its eighth summer with a Final Expo that showcased the innovative and impactful sustainability solutions proposed by participating college students. The Expo on August 13, 2024, highlighted the creativity and practicality of projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions and saving money for companies and the Georgia Tech campus.

The Challenge provides the opportunity for individuals and student teams to develop simple yet effective sustainability strategies for real-world application. The three-month summer program is an initiative of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and the College of Sciences in collaboration with the Georgia Climate Project. The student participants, who are primarily interns in various organizations, propose solutions that are not only environmentally beneficial but also economically viable. They volunteer to work on their projects on top of their regular internship duties. At the interactive online Expo, finalists presented their projects to a diverse audience, including company representatives, sustainability experts, and fellow students. Each team showcased their work, answered questions, and discussed their work with stakeholders.

This year’s challenge saw a plethora of innovative ideas, but three projects stood out, capturing the top spots in the competition.

First Place ($2000): Team MotionGlow 

First prize was awarded to Team MotionGlow, led by Hyunjun Ryh, a second-year chemical engineering major, and Kevin Maranto, a fourth-year aerospace engineering major in the BS/MS Honors Program. Hyunjun and Kevin are resident assistants who share dedication to helping Georgia Tech reach its sustainability goals. The RAs noticed that people often neglect to turn off lights when they are no longer needed, thereby contributing to carbon emission, light pollution, migration hindrances, and global warming. The team partnered with Georgia Tech Housing to propose a plan to install motion sensors in the North Avenue Apartments to reduce electrical usage from lighting. They determined that sensors and installation would cost $75k, and that the Institute could save $67k and reduce 492k lbs. of carbon annually. Team MotionGlow’s project was praised for its direct impact on energy efficiency and the ease with which it could be implemented across various buildings.

Second Place ($1000): Cascade Corporation Air Solution

Second prize was awarded to Rachel Bell, a second-year mechanical engineering major. She helped to conduct an energy assessment at Cascade Corporation’s Warner Robins location as a student assistant for the GT Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) team in association with the Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC). Rachel proposed a solution to cut down on air conditioning usage in the company’s warehouse. The proposal centered around installing a high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fan to operate during business hours. The fan’s design would allow for improved air circulation, which would reduce air conditioning consumption by approximately 33% and lead to significant energy savings. The simplicity of the solution, combined with its potential for large-scale implementation, made it a standout entry in this year’s Challenge.

Third Prize ($500): Team Swap to Sustain

Team Swap to Sustain secured third place with a proposal aimed at enhancing the circularity of the Georgia Tech campus through a zone-based circular economy model. Their concept involves creating localized zones that integrate into the broader campus-wide surplus department. Each zone would host an annual “Swap to Sustain” event, allowing members of similarly specialized departments to browse goods donated by nearby faculty and labs. This initiative would encourage the donation and reuse of items. Team Swap to Sustain’s model not only reduces waste but also fosters a culture of sustainability and community engagement. Team members included Nicole Allen, a fourth-year biomedical engineering major, and Apoorva Mahendranath, a fourth-year industrial engineering major.

A Bright Future for Sustainable Solutions

The judges, experts in sustainability and business, evaluated the projects based on their innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. The top teams were commended for their thorough research, practical solutions, and clear presentations. The Expo not only celebrated the achievements of the interns but also reinforced the importance of sustainability in business practices.

As the Challenge concludes its eighth year, the program continues to inspire and empower the next generation of sustainability advocates. If implemented, the proposed projects for this cohort could collectively save an estimated 108,319 metrics tons of carbon as well as $45 million. The solutions proposed by all the participants demonstrate the power of creativity and innovation in addressing pressing environmental issues. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, the challenge fosters a collaborative approach to developing and implementing sustainable practices.

Beril Toktay, faculty director of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and co-director of the Challenge, remarked, “We started the Carbon Reduction Challenge because we wanted to make sure that our students have an opportunity to be part of the climate solution. It’s such a delight to start the academic year by witnessing the fruits of the labors of our amazing students and team that puts together this experience.” The organizing team also includes Co-director Samantha Wilson, senior academic professional in the College of Sciences, and Program Manager Kjersti Lukens.

The success of the Final Expo and the enthusiasm of the participants highlight the growing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability. The projects presented this year serve as a testament to the potential of anyone to drive effective solutions and make a positive change.

Written by Kjersti Lukens, program manager for the Carbon Reduction Challenge, and Jennifer Lux.

Generous support from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and the Sheth Foundation makes the Challenge possible.