HackoWatt – AI for Green Energy: Smart Energy Challenge
The hackathon AI for Green Energy: Smart Energy Challenge (in short hackoWatt) is an international event for students of IT, data science, and technology-related fields who want to use artificial intelligence to solve real-world energy challenges. Participation is possible both onsite and online.
During the hackathon, you will tackle a real-world problem inspired by the energy sector and power grid operations. Your goal will be to design a solution – an application or a tool – that helps optimize energy management in households using photovoltaic systems. What matters most is your idea, logic, and approach to solving the problem – not perfect code.
The hackathon concept has been developed with the support of experts from Vattenfall – one of Europe’s largest producers and suppliers of electricity.
What is the challenge about?
You will receive a realistic household scenario along with access to datasets such as weather forecasts, energy production and consumption data, and grid load information. Based on this, you will propose a solution that:
- predicts when and how energy should be used most effectively,
- helps reduce costs and CO₂ emissions,
- supports the stability of the power grid,
- encourages energy-conscious behaviors.
There is no predefined technology – you are free to choose the tools and approach that best fit your idea and team.
Why should you join?
- Work on a real problem – not a “fictional assignment”
- Develop skills in AI, data analysis, and solution design
- Learn how to collaborate under time pressure – just like in real IT projects
- Collaborate with students from different countries and universities
- Connect with industry and academic experts
- Build a project you can add to your portfolio
- Win prizes with a total value of nearly PLN 15,000
Who is it for?
For students who:
- are interested in IT, AI, data science, or new technologies,
- want to apply their skills to solving environmental challenges,
- enjoy challenges, creative thinking, and teamwork.
You don’t need to be an energy expert – you will learn everything necessary to understand the challenge at the start.
Have an idea how AI can improve energy management? Build a team of 2 to 5 people, choose a leader and a team name and register by September 14, 2026.
Join the HackoWatt and put your idea into practice!
Location
- Onsite: spinPLACE, Katowice (Poland), 5 Bankowa Street
- Online: [event link soon]
Registration
- Team registration until: 14/09/2026
Preparation
18 September – onboarding session (online) and presentation of sample household scenarios to help you better understand the scope of the challenge. The scenarios will also be published on the event website.
Hackathon
- 28 September
- release of final scenarios
- official hackathon start
- 29 September
- end of work on the application/tool
- project pre-selection by an international jury for the final presentations
- 30 September
- final project presentations before the international jury
- announcement of results
The Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Silesia in Katowice is a modern academic center that combines a high standard of education with advanced scientific research in areas key to technological and civilizational development.
The unit provides students with access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure and offers unique degree programs precisely tailored to the dynamically changing demands of the modern labor market. Through active cooperation with the business environment and international research centers, the Faculty successfully supports the transfer of knowledge to the industry and fosters the development of innovative competences among future leaders of the engineering and technology sector.
Vattenfall IT Services Poland is part of the international Vattenfall Group – one of Europe’s largest producers and suppliers of electricity. We’re working for a future where we can all choose fossil free ways to move, make and live. Vattenfall is a company fully owned by the Swedish state.
Vattenfall IT Services Poland has been operating since 2011, primarily in the IT sector (with smaller supporting teams such as HR and Finance). The Polish entity provides IT services in areas including e-Mobility, Application Development, Security Operations Center, Monitoring Operations Center, Network Operations Center, Internet of Things, and IT International Service Desk. The Vattenfall IT Services Poland office is located in Katowice, and the company employs around 500 people.
More information about Vattenfall can be found at: https://careers.vattenfall.com/global
- Hackathon rules
- Sample scenarios (available from September)
- Informational Clause GDPR
The hackaton “AI for Green Energy: Smart Energy Challenge” project was co-financed by the Metropolis GZM as part of the “Metropolitan Science Support Fund” programme.
#MetropoliaNauki
