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The University of Houston recently concluded its first "Coogs for Energy" Hackathon, organized by the Division of Energy and Innovation’s Energy Transition Institute. The event brought together ten teams tasked with developing solutions to regional energy challenges.
Sponsored by the Glen Bailey Foundation, the hackathon took place from February 21 to 22. Three teams emerged as winners: Team Ecosix secured first place, Coog-nitive Sparks came in second, and Friends Fueling Friends finished third. They received cash prizes of $6,000, $3,000, and $1,500 respectively.
Debalina Sengupta, COO of ETI and designer of the event, commented on its success: “The ‘Coogs for Energy’ Hackathon...was a huge success, given the student interest to participate, boosting success by developing technical and soft skills, fostering innovation … and enhancing confidence and motivation.” She emphasized that it provided a valuable space for collaboration between industry professionals and students.
Team Ecosix focused on transforming waste into valuable resources. Glenys Yevi expressed satisfaction with creating impactful solutions for energy transition and environmental sustainability. She stated that this experience confirmed her interest in sustainable cycles.
Coog-nitive Sparks tackled the nexus between water and energy. Abdollah Zakeri described fitting their vision into a short timeframe as challenging but rewarding. He noted that this experience fueled his passion for sustainability.
Friends Fueling Friends explored generative AI's role in reducing emissions. Rebecca Ji found the rapid pace demanding but enlightening enough to spark an interest in sustainable energy careers.
Each team elected a spokesperson to share their experiences during the competition. Their insights highlighted personal growth and future aspirations within the field of energy innovation.