Nigerian researcher bags US grant

A Nigerian researcher, Oluwaseyi Amisu, has been awarded a significant sum of $63,000 to develop and evaluate the commercial viability of an energy technology. Amisu, an Engineering researcher and doctoral student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is focused on enhancing the integration of renewable energy into microgrid systems.

His project involves creating an artificial intelligence-driven hybrid microgrid control system that can effectively coordinate renewable energy sources, battery storage, and other power resources to adapt to changing energy demands.

The funding for this project was secured through two programs. Initially, Amisu received $13,000 through the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium Proof-of-Concept programme. This financial support was intended to assist with the early-stage development and validation of his innovative technology. Following this, Amisu's team was selected by Launch Tennessee for inclusion in its 2026 Proof-of-Concept awardees. This recognition further bolstered his project's credibility.

Subsequently, Amisu and his team advanced to the US National Science Foundation’s National I-Corps programme. This prestigious program awarded Amisu an additional $50,000, which he utilized to investigate the commercial potential of his energy technology. The comprehensive funding – a total of $63,000 – will undoubtedly help Amisu and his team bring their innovative solution to the marketplace, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.