Stanford Cleantech Challenge
Stanford's virtual clean energy hackathon
Stanford Energy Club is excited to present the Stanford Cleantech Challenge, Stanford's annual clean energy hackathon! Cutting-edge companies from various areas of the clean energy space will each pose a compelling, real-world challenge to teams of students. As a cleantech hacker, you will have 3 days to collaborate with your team-mates to develop a creative, innovative solution proposal to a challenge of your choice.
This year, we are moving to a virtual format, accessible to all university students across the world! Challenges will draw from a wide variety of disciplines, including engineering, finance and policy (this is not the traditional computer science hackathon). Prizes will be awarded to the top winners! We invite students from all degree programs and backgrounds. Do not miss out on this incredible opportunity to hack clean energy!
How it works
Fill out the registration form!
Students from all universities (undergraduate and graduate programs) and all degree programs are invited to Fill out this registration form!
HACK VIRTUALLY
Your team will have the weekend to find a solution! Challenges will involve aspects of technology, policy, and business models.
PICK YOUR CHALLENGE
Form teams of 2-4 through our online platform (or register with a team of your choice) and select which challenge you want to work on
PITCH YOUR SOLUTION
Finalist teams will do schedule a live interview with judges to select winners and runner-ups for each challenge. Team awards will include cash prizes!
Schedule
Hackathon Week
5/1, 12:00 PM
Challenges have been announced and online team formation has begun... begin registering!
5/12, 12:00 PM
Team registration deadline
5/13, 6:00 PM
Opening Ceremony -
Full challenge materials released and official hacking begins!
Judging & Awards
5/14, All Day
You will work with your team on solving the challenge! We will have workshops and speakers throughout the day
5/15 - 8:30am-12:00pm
First round competition, followed by a final round.
5/15, 12:00PM- 1:45PM
Key note speaker, Winners and Runner-Ups announced
This year's Challenge partners
Solve real-world challenges posed by Silicon Valley's top energy companies.
EDF Innovation Lab
EDF Group is a French energy corporation that operates a diverse portfolio of 120+ gigawatts of generation capacity around the globe. The EDF Innovation Lab's aim is to explore, research and test breakthrough technologies to support the growth of the EDF group in decentralized, data-driven and low-carbon energy sectors. Examples of projects include studying 100% clean power generation, the trading of green certificates on the blockchain, and predicting transmission & distribution congestion.
Ford Greenfield Labs
Ford is developing cutting-edge approaches to research at the intersections of social and natural sciences, human-centered design and technology. Research teams at Ford’s Greenfield lab are studying the future interactions of humans and cars, electric vehicles, UAV-to-vehicle integration, and projection technologies.
This event is also sponsored and supported by
Stanford TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy
Stanford Precourt Insitute for Energy
Contact Us
ABOUT THE STANFORD ENERGY CLUB
The Stanford Energy Club is a student organization working to encourage communication and collaboration within the energy community at Stanford University and throughout the Bay Area. Learn more at www.stanfordenergyclub.com!
CONTACT INFO
Stanford Cleantech Challenge Co-Directors:
Michael Bendok (mbendok@stanford.edu),
Anchit Narain (anchitn@stanford.edu), and
Ben Choi (benchoi@stanford.edu)
Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: Who can participate in the Stanford Cleantech Challenge?
A: This year, the event is open to all college students. Undergraduate and graduate students from all universities and departments are welcome!
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Q: Can I sign up alone or do I need teammates to register?
A: You do not need teammates ahead of time! If you have others you want to be teammates with for the hackathon, then you can register as a team in April. Every team member should register separately and note the team name. Teams will have a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 4.
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Q: What do I do if I don't have a team?
A: We will help you find teammates over the week leading up to the event!
Q: How does the Cleantech Challenge work? What will I do at the event?
A: Companies will pose challenges and students, working in small teams, will have 3 days to come up with a solution. A team of judges will evaluate the submissions and winning teams will receive a prize.
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Q: Where can I see the challenge statements?
A: After you register in April, we will send you an email with the abbreviated problem statements and a link to the Slack workspace, which we will be using as the primary form of communication.
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Q: Do I need to have a background in coding to participate?
A: No! This is not a traditional coding hackathon. Instead, teams will work together to solve problems in engineering, finance, and policy. We welcome Stanford students from all disciplines and backgrounds to participate!
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Q: Will there be prizes for the challenge winners?
A: Yes!
Q: How do I register?
A: If you are interested in participating in this event, please fill out this registration form. Registration will open in April.
Q: Is there a fee to participate?
A: No! It is free to participate in the Stanford Cleantech Challenge.