Global Energy HackathonGlobal Energy Hackathon
Powering the world's next energy breakthrough
Accelerating energy access, affordability & availability through collaborative innovation.
Hosted by Anneru Solutions · Over $10,000 in cash & prizes*
Register Now →The IAS Global Energy Hackathon is an intensive, time-bound competition — 48 hours — where teams of students, engineers, entrepreneurs, and community innovators rapidly design and prototype practical solutions to real-world energy problems. Unlike a traditional conference or research project, participants must build and defend a working concept under deadline pressure, not just discuss ideas. Pitching comes at the next phase: the 2027 summit. Participants are encouraged to use AI ethically to refine their problem statement.
The hackathon specifically focuses on innovative, affordable, and scalable solutions to energy access, reliability, safety, and affordability challenges — particularly in underserved and resource-limited communities across Africa, North America, and beyond. Participants choose a residential track (household and community power) or a non-residential track (industrial, commercial, healthcare, and government institutions), then develop solutions that can realistically be implemented within 6–18 months and adapted across different global contexts.
The result is compressed innovation: problems that utilities and governments have debated for years get fresh, actionable approaches from people close enough to the problem to care — and hungry enough to compete.
Mentor profiles will be shared once registration opens.
The three pillars of every great entry. Pick one, or take on all three.
Bring reliable power to the communities and regions still living without it.
Design a low-cost, scalable connection model that brings grid electricity or a community energy alternative to unelectrified Nigerian households, using financing and payment structures affordable to families earning less than ₦50,000 per month.
Drive down the cost of clean energy so it's within reach for everyone.
Design an innovative financing and energy delivery model that reduces the energy burden of low-income households in Minnesota's disadvantaged communities — where families spend more than 10% of their income on heating, cooling, and electricity — to below the national affordability threshold, without disrupting existing utility relationships or requiring significant upfront investment from the household.
Build resilient systems that keep energy flowing — anytime, anywhere.
Design a scalable, low-maintenance energy system that guarantees uninterrupted 24-hour power for Nigerian hospitals experiencing 8–20 hours of daily grid outages, ensuring critical medical equipment, refrigeration, lighting, and life-support systems never fail due to electricity unavailability.
Hardware, software, AI, business, or policy for residential or non-residential customers — there's a lane for every kind of builder.
Develop a new solar inverter model. What gaps exist in the current models?
Develop an app that teaches laypersons about power generation, transmission and distribution. How is new content created daily? How does the platform generate income? Should a private or public entity own it?
Create the optimal payment structure among Nigerian generating companies (GenCos), distribution companies (DisCos) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Develop a scalable model that Airbnb can deploy globally to encourage guests to use Airbnb hosts' energy resources sustainably.
What policies must a country implement to develop local energy meter production and reduce meter importation?
* Total value of cash and in-kind prizes. Prize pool subject to change.
Sign up free and tell us how you'll compete — solo or as a team.
Select your mentor, then hack over the event weekend, October 30 – November 1, 2026.
Send your project, demo video, and details before the deadline.
Expert judges score every entry across six categories.
Top teams share over $10,000 in cash and prizes.
Anyone, anywhere — students, professionals, founders, and first-time hackers. It's 100% virtual and completely free to join.
No. Compete solo or form a team of up to four people. You can register now and finalize your team later.
Any solution that accelerates energy access, affordability, or availability — hardware, software, AI/ML, a business model, or a policy idea.
Nothing. Registration and participation are completely free.
Over $10,000 in cash and prizes — a mix of cash awards and in-kind prizes from our partners — awarded to the top projects by our panel of judges. Prize pool is subject to change.
Join builders from around the world for three days of energy innovation. It's free, it's virtual, and it starts with one click.
Register Now →