The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has revealed it is to host a three-day hackathon this May, focused on the developments of internet of things (IoT) smart home technology.
The Smart Home Hackathon is expected to run from 13-15 May this year at Dublin City University’s Alpha Innovation Campus. It is open to engineers, designers, innovators and entrepreneurs with an interest in developing a connected technology that could radically reduce the amount of energy consumed by the average home.
Those taking part in the hackathon will be divided into teams and set four challenges – the user experience challenge, the homeowner feedback and behaviour challenge, the energy supply challenge and the home automation challenge.
The SEAI says that all of the challenges will have a singular goal: identifying how we as a society can radically improve the way we use energy in the home.
IoT is key to reducing energy consumption
Each team will pitch their solutions to a panel of judges, with the overall winners announced at a prize giving ceremony on the evening of the final day of the hackathon.
Speaking at the Smart Home Hackathon launch, Tom Halpin, head of communications at the SEAI, said: “Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have invested in insulation and heating upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
“However, we believe that smart technology and IoT hold the key to unlocking the opportunities for visualising energy use in the home, informing homeowner behaviour and helping us use more renewable energy. The long term target has to be zero-energy homes, and disruptive technology will be a key driver.”
Smart home app on tablet image via Shutterstock
Update 11/05/2016
The SEAI has informed Siliconrepublic.com that the hackathon has been postponed until further notice.
In a statement, the organisation said:
“Unfortunately we are postponing next weekend’s planned Smart Home Energy Hackathon. The postponement will give us the opportunity to involve more design and engineering students (who are currently undertaking exams) and to also allow us work with DCU to build a broader smart homes / energy/ IoT partner network for a richer event later in the year.”
