We’re excited that four teams have been selected and announced as L-Prize Concept Phase winners by the U.S. Department of Energy. These teams were each awarded a $20k cash prize for meeting technical requirements across multiple categories, including feasibility, technical performance, and innovation. 

In the Concept Phase, lighting innovators were invited to create next-generation LED lighting concepts designed to advance the U.S. clean energy economy and leading to transformative designs, products, and impact. The next phase of the contest, the Prototype Phase, calls for prototype lighting systems allowing hands-on evaluation for technical performance and innovation. The Prototype phase is open to all interested competitors.

Congratulations to the following teams: 

Project Description: Quarkstar Project Tango is a networked, white-light-tunable luminaire concept that leverages innovations in optics, LED, and power conversion technology to deliver high efficacy, exceptional quality of light, and precise control of light distribution. 

Project Description: The Orion Sustainable and Connected Troffer Retrofit concept is a high efficacy networked luminaire designed to retrofit an existing fluorescent luminaire to LED technology with an advanced controls platform in less than 2 minutes. 

Project Description: This 3D-printed semi-indirect luminaire concept delivers high efficacy and excellent quality of light. Built around a high-performance light engine that requires no secondary optics, the innovative optical design reduces losses and addresses glare.

Project Description: The Papaya Modular Lighting Ecosystem concept is a highly modular luminaire platform that uses a unique community-based approach. All aspects of the system are made open source, offering opportunities for innovators of all types to participate in evolving and innovating this lighting solution over time. 

 

Learn more about each submission by checking out the HeroX Teams tab.

If you submitted an idea and were not chosen as a Concept Phase winner, we encourage you to keep innovating and submit an entry to the upcoming Prototype Phase. In the coming weeks, you will receive an e-mail from the prize administrator with comments and feedback on your submission from the judges who reviewed it.

Thank You for Your Participation

We want to thank all teams for competing in the L-Prize Concept Phase and hope you continue to be an active member of the L-Prize community. 

Should you have questions, please feel free to reach out at  Congratulations, again, to the Concept Phase winners!