Three exceptional NECA Student Chapters shared their projects at the ELECTRI International Green Energy Challenge at NECA 2018 Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Convention Center.

And this year’s competition featured a familiar result. The title again went to Iowa State University. It is the fifth year in a row Iowa State University has taken first place. Penn State University (second) and Illinois Institute of Technology (third) rounded out the top three.

All three teams, as finalists, made presentations to a judging panel on Saturday at NECA 2018 Philadelphia after creating projects focused on energy efficiency and savings for their respective clients. They developed a plan for an organization’s building with a community service impact:

• Illinois Institute of Technology – the Institute of Cultural Affairs in Chicago
• Penn State University – the Samuel D. Cozen Center owned and operated by the Philadelphia Police Athletic League
• Iowa State University – the Family Resource Center at Iowa State University

The jury for this year’s Green Energy Challenge, which is in its 10th year, included electrical contractors and industry partners.

After each presentation, which took about 15 minutes apiece, the teams answered questions from the judges. The judges held deliberations directly after the presentations.

“NECA is excited to honor the outstanding work done by these students, the future of our industry,” said NECA Director of Member Relations Wanessa Alves, who oversees student chapters.

Along with the Green Energy Challenge winner, the top individual presenter among the three finalists was announced during the NECA Student Chapter Summit on Sunday. Liam Cummings of Penn State claimed the prize.

Poster presentations displayed at the challenge also were judged this year. The first-place entry of that portion of competition was Iowa State University. Ball State University came in second, and Penn State University placed third. The other schools represented hailed from the Illinois Institute of Technology, the University of Washington, Wayne State University and Kennesaw State University.

NECA named the Illinois Institute of Technology this year’s Student Chapter of the Year. The chapter received the award for the creation and enhancement of the NECA Chapter IIT Smart Tech Lab, including the Power over Ethernet automated lighting system, done by raising more than $180,000 in cash and in-kind contributions and with the help of electrical contractors.