South Africa's energy crisis demands innovative solutions, and the nation's youth are stepping up to the challenge. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) recently concluded the third edition of its annual Sustainathon, a problem-solving competition – designed to empower students to leverage technology and tackle real-world sustainability issues.

This year's theme, "Clean And Affordable Energy Solutions," challenged participants to develop sustainable alternatives to address South Africa's pressing energy needs, directly inspired by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 7.

TCS Sustainathon provides a crucial platform for students to devise solutions for sustainability challenges in underserved and rural areas. Participants benefit from invaluable mentorship and guidance from TCS experts, non-profit organisations, and government agencies, creating a collaborative environment for innovation.

This is particularly vital in Africa, where nearly 600 million people lack access to electricity, highlighting the urgent need for accessible and sustainable energy solutions.

South Africa's energy landscape, heavily reliant on the coal-centric Eskom grid, has been plagued by supply and storage challenges, leading to frequent blackouts and disruptions.

This crisis stems from a combination of factors, including over-reliance on coal, inadequate infrastructure for renewable energy, and management challenges within the power utility. The consequences are far-reaching, impacting businesses, healthcare facilities, and the daily lives of citizens.

This year's Sustainathon produced a wealth of innovative ideas. Team Nexus, the event winners, proposed Vital-Vaults, a portable, energy-efficient cooling solution designed to store vaccines in rural Africa, directly addressing storage challenges for life-saving medication in areas prone to supply disruptions.

Team Green Energy Engineers, the first runners-up, presented "Waste to Watts," a project focused on developing bio-batteries using organic waste, offering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. The third-place winners, South Solar Synergy, proposed Ubuntu Solar Farm, aimed at enhancing community access to solar energy.

TCS Sustainathon serves to drive youth to develop real-world solutions in STEM and energy. By providing a platform for innovation, mentorship, and collaboration, the competition empowers young minds to translate their ideas into tangible solutions that address pressing societal challenges.

The success of initiatives like Vital-Vaults, Waste to Watts, and Ubuntu Solar Farm demonstrates the potential of youth-led innovation to drive positive change in the energy sector.

Approximately 87% of South Africa's electricity is generated by coal-fired power stations, making the country vulnerable to supply disruptions, especially during rainy and cold seasons, when coal supplies becomes wet or insufficient. The projects presented at TCS Sustainathon offer viable alternatives to this over-reliance on a single, non-renewable energy source.

TCS Sustainathon not only fosters innovation but also cultivates crucial skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking, preparing young individuals to become future leaders in the STEM fields. The collaborative environment, coupled with expert mentorship, allows participants to refine their ideas and develop practical, scalable solutions that can have a real impact on communities.

“The calibre of solutions presented in the third edition of this event has showcased the immense potential of South Africa's youth to drive innovation in the renewable energy sector,”  said Langa Dube, Regional Director at TCS South Africa & Rest of Africa

Dube said that by investing in STEM education and providing platforms like TCS Sustainathon, TCS remained committed to empowering young innovators to develop practical solutions to the country's energy challenges.

“The success of this year's competition underscores the need for increased investment in youth in STEM,” he said. “We encourage more private enterprises to follow TCS's lead in upskilling our youth, and fostering a sustainable future for South Africa.”