Past Winners


2023-2024 Final Competition Winners

Izzi Bryant, Maddax Frye, Ema Horner, and Sophie Kudron, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to improve the building envelope performance of new or existing residential buildings by reducing energy consumption in a cost-effective and accessible way.

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Andreas Hoess, Aaron Farha, Levi Premer, and Rebecca Lu, Purdue University

The Challenge: This challenge focuses on developing an innovative solution for thermal energy storage for buildings to optimize energy utilization, enhance sustainability, and increase resilience. The solutions could involve (but are not limited to) integration of materials, systems, and controls for the storage and release of energy.

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Rebekah Shields, Worcester Polytechnical Institute

The Challenge: This challenge focuses on developing an innovative solution for thermal energy storage for buildings to optimize energy utilization, enhance sustainability, and increase resilience. The solutions could involve (but are not limited to) integration of materials, systems, and controls for the storage and release of energy.

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Spencer Marinac and Jared Williams, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

The Challenge: This challenge focuses on developing an innovative solution for thermal energy storage for buildings to optimize energy utilization, enhance sustainability, and increase resilience. The solutions could involve (but are not limited to) integration of materials, systems, and controls for the storage and release of energy.

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2023-2024 Challenge Winners

Jared Williams, Gianluca Borgese, Martin Rosales, and Spencer Marinac, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

The Challenge: This challenge focuses on developing an innovative solution for thermal energy storage for buildings to optimize energy utilization, enhance sustainability, and increase resilience. The solutions could involve (but are not limited to) integration of materials, systems, and controls for the storage and release of energy.

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Andreas Hoess, Aaron Farha, Levi Premer, and Rebecca Lu, Purdue University

The Challenge: This challenge focuses on developing an innovative solution for thermal energy storage for buildings to optimize energy utilization, enhance sustainability, and increase resilience. The solutions could involve (but are not limited to) integration of materials, systems, and controls for the storage and release of energy.

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Rebekah Shields, Matthew Lydon, Timothy Rinaldi, and Phillip Cass, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The Challenge: This challenge focuses on developing an innovative solution for thermal energy storage for buildings to optimize energy utilization, enhance sustainability, and increase resilience. The solutions could involve (but are not limited to) integration of materials, systems, and controls for the storage and release of energy.

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Israel Bryant, Maddax Frye, Sophie Kudron, and Ema Horner, University of Nebraska Lincoln

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to improve the building envelope performance of new or existing residential buildings by reducing energy consumption in a cost-effective and accessible way.

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Autumn Walton and Amaya Burse, North Carolina A&T State University

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to improve the building envelope performance of new or existing residential buildings by reducing energy consumption in a cost-effective and accessible way.

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Gaon Ok, Vivien Zheng, and Aakruthi Karthic, The University of Texas at Austin

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to improve the building envelope performance of new or existing residential buildings by reducing energy consumption in a cost-effective and accessible way.

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Ankit Soni, Emilio Nava, Felix Ekuful, and Harriet Darkwah, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution that will reduce carbon emissions from U.S. buildings (residential or commercial, new or existing). Problem statements can address embodied carbon emissions and/or operational carbon emissions. Innovative solutions should lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions and increased affordability for identified stakeholder groups to obtain new technologies.

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Aayusha Chapagain and Olayinka Olaosebikan, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution that will reduce carbon emissions from U.S. buildings (residential or commercial, new or existing). Problem statements can address embodied carbon emissions and/or operational carbon emissions. Innovative solutions should lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions and increased affordability for identified stakeholder groups to obtain new technologies.

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Rohaan Saripella and Mason Sirianni, The University of Texas at Austin

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution that will reduce carbon emissions from U.S. buildings (residential or commercial, new or existing). Problem statements can address embodied carbon emissions and/or operational carbon emissions. Innovative solutions should lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions and increased affordability for identified stakeholder groups to obtain new technologies.

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2022-2023 Final Competition Winners

Arielle Kopp, Vanderbilt University

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution that will reduce carbon emissions from U.S. buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). Student problem statements can focus on embodied carbon, carbon sequestration and storage, and/or operational carbon emissions. Innovative solutions should lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions, and fewer inequalities in obtaining new technologies for identified stakeholder groups.

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Andrew Fix, Dohyeon Kim, and Sarah Alkandari, Purdue University

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to increase the electrification of U.S. buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). Student team solutions should lead to reductions in energy use and carbon emissions through electrification solutions, and students should emphasize reducing inequalities in obtaining technologies for identified stakeholder groups. 

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Anu Adeyemo, Danika Ratnapradipa, and Julia Ehlers, University of Nebraska

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop novel technical solutions to improve the resilience and sustainability of the built environment and identify ways for each proposed solution to enable underserved communities to adapt, persist, and recover from extreme weather and persistent stress, such as those caused by climate change. 

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Parker Vice, Gabe Hoggard, and Zackery Trahan, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop novel technical solutions to improve the resilience and sustainability of the built environment and identify ways for each proposed solution to enable underserved communities to adapt, persist, and recover from extreme weather and persistent stress, such as those caused by climate change.

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2022-2023 Challenge Winners

Winners: Arielle Kopp, Jacqueline Quirke, Alexandra Filipova, and Maggie Chudik, Vanderbilt University

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution that will reduce carbon emissions from U.S. buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). Student problem statements can focus on embodied carbon, carbon sequestration and storage, and/or operational carbon emissions. Innovative solutions should lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions, and fewer inequalities in obtaining new technologies for identified stakeholder groups.

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Runners Up: Colleen Moauro, Tyler Fenton, Molly Maksin, and Zane Prose, Colorado School of Mines

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution that will reduce carbon emissions from U.S. buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). Student problem statements can focus on embodied carbon, carbon sequestration and storage, and/or operational carbon emissions. Innovative solutions should lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions, and fewer inequalities in obtaining new technologies for identified stakeholder groups.

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Winners: Dante Siracusa, Kennedy Moonin, Lindsey Albrecht, and Jacob Frogge, Indiana Institute of Technology

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to increase the electrification of U.S. buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). Student team solutions should lead to reductions in energy use and carbon emissions through electrification solutions, and students should emphasize reducing inequalities in obtaining technologies for identified stakeholder groups.

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Runners Up: Ila Sharma, Patrick Young, Joelle Dlugozima, and Gururaj Deshpande, Georgia Institute of Technology

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to increase the electrification of U.S. buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). Student team solutions should lead to reductions in energy use and carbon emissions through electrification solutions, and students should emphasize reducing inequalities in obtaining technologies for identified stakeholder groups.

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Winners: Daksh Sehgal, Yash Gupta, Vibha Narasayya, and Krishnav Bose, Georgia Institute of Technology

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop novel technical solutions to improve the resilience and sustainability of the built environment and identify ways for each proposed solution to enable underserved communities to adapt, persist, and recover from extreme weather and persistent stress, such as those caused by climate change.

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Runners Up: Hanting Wong, Brennan Hughes, Cecilia Doyle, and Helen Hu, Johns Hopkins University

The Challenge: The objective of this challenge is to develop novel technical solutions to improve the resilience and sustainability of the built environment and identify ways for each proposed solution to enable underserved communities to adapt, persist, and recover from extreme weather and persistent stress, such as those caused by climate change.

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2021-2022 Final Competition Winners

Alexandra Kahl and Kyra Owensby, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The Challenge: Resilience for All in the Wake of Disaster. The objective of this challenge is to develop holistic solutions to improve the resilience of the built environment, making equity a central focus of the proposed solution by strengthening the ability of communities—especially those that are underserved, marginalized and vulnerable—to adapt, persist, and recover in the event of natural or manmade disruptive events.

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Alka Khadka and Grant Walker, Oklahoma State University

The Challenge: Resilience for All in the Wake of Disaster. The objective of this challenge is to develop holistic solutions to improve the resilience of the built environment, making equity a central focus of the proposed solution by strengthening the ability of communities—especially those that are underserved, marginalized and vulnerable—to adapt, persist, and recover in the event of natural or manmade disruptive events.

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Samantha Eddy, Xiang Huo, Xinyan Liu, and Xinyang Rui, University of Utah

The Challenge: Resilience for All in the Wake of Disaster. The objective of this challenge is to develop holistic solutions to improve the resilience of the built environment, making equity a central focus of the proposed solution by strengthening the ability of communities—especially those that are underserved, marginalized and vulnerable—to adapt, persist, and recover in the event of natural or manmade disruptive events.

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Haley Matthews and Aryanna Sanchez, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The Challenge: Solving Market Adoption for Emerging Efficiency Technologies. The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative, holistic solution that will increase the accessibility, purchase, installation, and use of energy efficiency technologies in buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). This will lead to reductions in energy use and carbon emissions, and fewer inequalities in obtaining new technologies for identified stakeholder groups.

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2021-2022 Challenge Winners

Winners: Tais Mitchell and Jason Talford, University of Idaho

The Challenge: Equal Access to Healthy Indoor Air. The objective of this challenge is to develop a holistic solution to address indoor air quality (IAQ) inequities in the United States. This topic relates to both the technical aspects of IAQ as well as other areas including IAQ-related policy, epidemiology, environmental justice, community economic impact, commercialization, codes and standards, and appropriate metrics development.

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Runners Up: Nishka Chawla and Julia Rios, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The Challenge: Equal Access to Healthy Indoor Air. The objective of this challenge is to develop a holistic solution to address indoor air quality (IAQ) inequities in the United States. This topic relates to both the technical aspects of IAQ as well as other areas including IAQ-related policy, epidemiology, environmental justice, community economic impact, commercialization, codes and standards, and appropriate metrics development.

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Winners: Carson Bryan, Tyler Elsom, Sachin Gokhale, and Matthew Hyland, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The Challenge: Solving Market Adoption for Emerging Efficiency Technologies. The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative, holistic solution that will increase the accessibility, purchase, installation, and use of energy efficiency technologies in buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). This will lead to reductions in energy use and carbon emissions, and fewer inequalities in obtaining new technologies for identified stakeholder groups.

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Runners Up: David Mason, Carson Rinkenberger, and Eli Silva, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The Challenge: Solving Market Adoption for Emerging Efficiency Technologies. The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative, holistic solution that will increase the accessibility, purchase, installation, and use of energy efficiency technologies in buildings (residential, commercial, new, or existing). This will lead to reductions in energy use and carbon emissions, and fewer inequalities in obtaining new technologies for identified stakeholder groups.

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Winners: Samantha Eddy, Xiang Huo, Xinyan Liu, and Xinyang Rui, University of Utah

The Challenge: Resilience for All in the Wake of Disaster. The objective of this challenge is to develop holistic solutions to improve the resilience of the built environment, making equity a central focus of the proposed solution by strengthening the ability of communities—especially those that are underserved, marginalized and vulnerable—to adapt, persist, and recover in the event of natural or manmade disruptive events.

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Runners Up: Francisco Diaz-Rodriguez, Jillian Flynn, Alex Holzke, and Ethan Rand, Vanderbilt University

The Challenge: Resilience for All in the Wake of Disaster. The objective of this challenge is to develop holistic solutions to improve the resilience of the built environment, making equity a central focus of the proposed solution by strengthening the ability of communities—especially those that are underserved, marginalized and vulnerable—to adapt, persist, and recover in the event of natural or manmade disruptive events.

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Honorable Mentions: Natasha Ghezawi, Alexandra Kahl, and Kyra Owensby, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The Challenge: Resilience for All in the Wake of Disaster. The objective of this challenge is to develop holistic solutions to improve the resilience of the built environment, making equity a central focus of the proposed solution by strengthening the ability of communities—especially those that are underserved, marginalized and vulnerable—to adapt, persist, and recover in the event of natural or manmade disruptive events.

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Honorable Mentions: Michelle Chen, Liken Hanato, Michael Le, and Alexis Ng, University of Kansas

The Challenge: Resilience for All in the Wake of Disaster. The objective of this challenge is to develop holistic solutions to improve the resilience of the built environment, making equity a central focus of the proposed solution by strengthening the ability of communities—especially those that are underserved, marginalized and vulnerable—to adapt, persist, and recover in the event of natural or manmade disruptive events.

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Honorable Mentions: Anil Singh, Ethan Stroh and Caleb Erlenborn, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The Challenge: Resilience for All in the Wake of Disaster. The objective of this challenge is to develop holistic solutions to improve the resilience of the built environment, making equity a central focus of the proposed solution by strengthening the ability of communities—especially those that are underserved, marginalized and vulnerable—to adapt, persist, and recover in the event of natural or manmade disruptive events.

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2020-2021 Final Competition Winners

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University logo
Megan Bush, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

The Challenge: Advanced Building Construction Methods. The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution incorporating substantial changes in building materials or construction methods, leading to benefits such as increased productivity and worker safety through reduced construction time, reduced cost and waste, improvements to occupant comfort and health, and reduced energy use.

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Bria Frazier and Zoe Landers, Clark Atlanta University

The Challenge: Advanced Building Construction Methods. The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution incorporating substantial changes in building materials or construction methods, leading to benefits such as increased productivity and worker safety through reduced construction time, reduced cost and waste, improvements to occupant comfort and health, and reduced energy use.

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State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry logo
Trisha Gupta and Vedyun Mishra, Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

The Challenge: Building Energy Audits for Residential or Commercial Buildings. The objective of this challenge is to develop technical solutions to expedite energy audits or develop a simplified, yet effective, energy audit methodology, by finding ways to reduce time and cost compared to current audit practices. In addition to proposing solutions, this challenge also asks teams to demonstrate the proposed energy audit solution on an existing building.

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Sarah Canastra, Georgia Institute of Technology

The Challenge: Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB). The objective of this challenge is to develop conceptual designs that support BTO’s overall GEB strategy in the areas of 1) intelligent algorithms that optimize the operation of building’s active and passive systems to maximize energy efficiency, and 2) whole-building-level interoperable and low cost automation systems that enable communication with building equipment and appliance to optimize operation to provide grid services.

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2020-2021 Challenge Winners

Example of Interface
Sarah Canastra, Hunter Hancock, and Lucas Kiefer, Georgia Institute of Technology

The Challenge: Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB). The objective of this challenge is to develop conceptual designs that support BTO’s overall GEB strategy in the areas of 1) intelligent algorithms that optimize the operation of building’s active and passive systems to maximize energy efficiency, and 2) whole-building-level interoperable and low cost automation systems that enable communication with building equipment and appliance to optimize operation to provide grid services.

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EQuest Output
Gaspar Pedro, John (Hudson) May, and Gordon Stead, University of Georgia

The Challenge: Building Energy Audits for Residential or Commercial Buildings. The objective of this challenge is to develop technical solutions to expedite energy audits or develop a simplified, yet effective, energy audit methodology, by finding ways to reduce time and cost compared to current audit practices. In addition to proposing solutions, this challenge also asks teams to demonstrate the proposed energy audit solution on an existing building.

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Amanda Roff, Emily Kuwaye, and Jaya Alagar, Williams College

The Challenge: Advanced Building Construction Methods. The objective of this challenge is to develop an innovative solution incorporating substantial changes in building materials or construction methods, leading to benefits such as increased productivity and worker safety through reduced construction time, reduced cost and waste, improvements to occupant comfort and health, and reduced energy use.

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2019-2020 Final Competition Winners

Destiny Currie and James Whitfield, Clark Atlanta University

The Challenge: Smart Sensors and Controls for Residential Buildings. The objective of this challenge was to identify a specific community impacted by this problem, describe the stakeholder community and the specific challenges. 

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Kira O'Hare, Katie Earles, Taylor Sparacello and Catherine Moore, Georgia Institute of Technology

The Challenge: Smart Sensors and Controls for Residential Buildings. The objective of this challenge was to identify a specific community impacted by this problem, describe the stakeholder community and the specific challenges. 

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2018-2019 Final Competition Winners

cade lawson
Cade Lawson, Economics Undergraduate Student at the Georgia Institute of Technology

The Challenge: Open “What-If” Challenge: Connecting the Right data at the Right Time to Improve Residential Building Performance. The objective of this challenge was to identify and design approaches to influence homeowner decisions to optimize their energy use.

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Sarah Tinsley
Sarah Tinsley, Economics Undergraduate Student at the Georgia Institute of Technology

The Challenge: Open “What-If” Challenge: Connecting the Right data at the Right Time to Improve Residential Building Performance. The objective of this challenge was to identify and design approaches to influence homeowner decisions to optimize their energy use.

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Carl Woodard, Mechcanical Engineering Undergraduate Student

The Challenge: Open “What-If” Challenge: Connecting the Right data at the Right Time to Improve Residential Building Performance. The objective of this challenge was to identify and design approaches to influence homeowner decisions to optimize their energy use.

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