Wikipedia

Jeremiah Thoronka

Jeremiah Thoronka, a student from Sierra Leone, is known for inventing a device that captures kinetic energy from moving traffic and pedestrians, turning it into clean power.[1][2][3] In recognition of his inspiring work, he received both the Chegg.org Global Student Prize and the Global Teacher Prize in 2021.[4][5][6][7][8]

Education & Career

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Jeremiah Thoronka became a member of the founding class at the African Leadership University in Rwanda. There, he pursued a program called "Global Challenge", which was designed based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[9]

Jeremiah Thoronka dedicated his efforts to climate action, energy, and innovation.[10] He delved into both sociocultural and technical aspects of energy efficiency. Notably, Thoronka founded Optim Energy—a start-up that explored the use of piezoelectricity to generate clean and affordable energy for vulnerable communities.[11][12] Additionally, Thoronka was selected to join the Climate Overshoot working on strategies to mitigate risks if the world surpasses its Paris climate commitments by 2030.[13][14]

Jeremiah Thoronka gained recognition for his efforts to establish sustainable energy solutions across Sierra Leone. Thoronka was listed among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2021. The World Wildlife Fund recognized him as one of the 100 Young African Conservation Leaders. Thoronka was honored as the laureate of the inaugural Global Student Prize. He also received recognition for excellence in development work in Africa.[15][9]

Contributions

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At just 17 years old, Jeremiah Thoronka developed an impressive kinetic energy system while studying at the African Leadership University in Rwanda. His system captures vibrations from vehicles and pedestrians on roads. These captured vibrations are transformed into usable electric current. Unlike many other energy source, Thoronk's system doesn't rely on weather conditions or external factors, it doesn't need any batteries or an external electricity connection. Thoronka has even extended this technology to the healthcare sector. it can power medical equipment, including medicines and vaccines, and provide sufficient light for treating patients after dark. In a pilot program in Jeremiah's hometown of Makawo, his innovative technology successfully powered 150 homes and 15 schools. This provided essential services to over 10,000 people, including 9,000 Students.[16][17]

Awards

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• In 2021, Jeremiah Thoronka received the Global Student Prize from UNESCO.[18] In the same year he won the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development.[19]

• Then, in 2023, he achieved the "Youngest Green Awards" at the 2023 Green Tech Festival in Germany.[20]

References

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  1. ↑ "Meet Jeremiah Thoronka, the 21- year old Using Kinetic Energy to provide electricity in Sierra Leone". Business Elites Africa. 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  2. ↑ "Illuminating Sierra Leone: Quest for Sustainable Energy | Times Higher Education". Times Higher Education (THE). Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  3. ↑ "Regulatory Sandboxes in Africa". Empower Africa. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  4. ↑ University, Durham. "Alumnus Jeremiah Thoronka makes Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list - Durham University". www.durham.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  5. ↑ Britz, Melissa (2021-12-09). "Sierra Leone: Entrepreneur Creates Clean, Affordable Energy for Sierra Leone's Rural Areas #AfricaClimateCrisis". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  6. ↑ "JEREMIAH THORONKA". We Are Family Foundation. 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  7. ↑ Vanguard, The Patriotic (2022-01-27). "Thoronka urges fellow Sierra Leoneans to apply for Chegg prize". The Patriotic Vanguard. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  8. ↑ "Jeremiah Thoronka | Youth STEM Changemakers Programme Officer". Youth STEM 2030. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "This Young Inventor Is Turning Vibrations From Busy Roads Into Clean Energy". POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of people of color in tech. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  10. ↑ Zenda, Cyril. ""The future is green": youth brings clean power to thousands in Sierra Leone". FairPlanet. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  11. ↑ "US$100,000: 'Surround yourself with people who uplift you'". University World News. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  12. ↑ "Entrepreneur's Clean Energy for Sierra Leone #AfricaClimateCrisis". allAfrica.com. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  13. ↑ "Jeremiah Thoronka Lights Up Sierra Leone With Kinetic Energy". 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  14. ↑ Ogwo, Charles (2022-05-25). "Jeremiah Thoronka meets Pope at youth movement launch". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  15. ↑ "Jeremiah Thoronka". Meaningful Business Community. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  16. ↑ "Jeremiah Thoronka 2021". Global Teacher Prize. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  17. ↑ Corbley, Andy (2021-11-29). "Youth Hailed for Providing Renewable Energy to 10,000 People Without Using Battery, Wind, Sun, or Water". Good News Network. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  18. ↑ "Global Student Prize 2021: Jeremiah Thoronka from Sierra Leone win global student prize of $100,000". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  19. ↑ "Anant National University | First DesignX University in India". anu.edu.in. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
  20. ↑ Kargbo, Lamin (2023-06-15). "Sierra Leone: Jeremiah Thoronka wins 2023 GTF "Youngster Green Award"". SwitSalone. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
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