In February, PowerOptions, in cooperation with Tufts and Endicott College, was selected as the winner of the inaugural Green Ribbon Commission Renewable Energy Leadership Prize.

The Prize awards $100,000 to nonprofit institutions for their strategy for large-scale renewable energy generation. Through the Prize, GRC aims to inspire local large-scale energy consumers to implement renewable energy strategies.

The participants who did not receive the prize intend to move forward with their projects, extending the ripples of the competition. GRC hopes that renewable energy in Massachusetts will receive a boost from all the new projects. Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

The Prize is funded by the Barr Foundation, which has made climate one of its core concentrations. The Green Ribbon Commission is a group of business, institutional, and civic leaders supporting the implementation of Boston’s Climate Action Plan.

(Pictured above: The team from Tufts, PowerOptions, and Endicott College, GRC Staff, Barr Foundation Representative. Photo via the Barr Foundation.)

Tufts, PowerOptions, and Partners Healthcare are currently in negotiations to bring the proposal to fruition.

The Green Ribbon Commission has also released a case study analysis of the contest and its entries for greater insight and improvement for next year.