AHEAD Energy is an autonomous nonprofit organization housed at Marietta College (Marietta, Ohio, USA)  that identifies appropriate technologies to harness local energy resources in Africa.  Our vision is of a world in which universal access to energy as well as its wise stewardship enables all people to attain a high quality of life on a thriving planet.  AHEAD assists schools and medical facilities to gain access to life-enhancing energy in an economically-sustainable, environmentally-conscientious manner.  As these institutions carry out their vital services, whole communities begin to adopt life-enhancing energy services that facilitate the ascent out of poverty. By building capacity to deploy practical, sustainable, appropriate solutions, AHEAD has helped to enhance lives and livelihoods in Africa since 1988.