Alternative Fuels Hackathon Concludes in Ventspils

December 19, 2023

From December 8 to 10, Ventspils hosted the "Alternative Fuel Hackathon," both on-site and digitally, under the slogan “Sail into a Sustainable Future.” The event addressed key challenges in the energy and port industries, focusing on energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and digitalization. More than 30 participants from various fields across the Baltic Sea region, along with mentors and industry experts, came together to tackle these pressing issues.


For instance, the Freeport of Ventspils Authority posed a challenge to develop a tool for engaging and educating the public about green energy and alternative fuel opportunities. Meanwhile, the Freeport of Riga Authority sought innovative solutions for the commercialization of hydrogen within port environments.


“There are two key development directions in Europe that have been intensively pursued for some time—digitalization and sustainability. We are proud that Ventspils High Technology Park, by organizing this event, can contribute to the sustainability narrative. By coming together and combining experience with enthusiasm, we can transform challenges into opportunities,” said Gvido Grīnbergs, Head of the Business Support and Digital Innovation Center at Ventspils High Technology Park, during the hackathon's opening.


Over the course of 48 hours, teams worked tirelessly to create innovative and functional digital prototypes, which were highly praised by the jury at the event's conclusion. Out of 11 teams, three emerged as winners:

  1. 1st Place (€750 cash prize)
    Team "Zolara" (Krišjānis Odiņš, Kristaps Barons, Edmunds Zālītis) developed an artificial intelligence tool designed to educate Latvian youth about green energy topics.
  2. 2nd Place (€500 cash prize)
    Team "Tārgale United" (Kaspars Kukainis, Kārlis Kukainis, Roberts Kukainis, Eduards Žiborkins) addressed logistics efficiency in ro-ro terminals by creating an automated port system that reduces time and resource costs while promoting environmental sustainability.
  3. 3rd Place (€250 cash prize)
    Team "Save Some" (Ronalds Palacis, Haralds Juris Barkāns, Uldis Ramlavs) proposed smart energy management solutions for ports, integrating Nord Pool electricity prices with artificial intelligence to optimize power consumption.


Mentor and jury member Imants Martinsons, an expert in clean technologies and mobility, remarked: “The standout teams were those that combined diverse competencies, such as business, energy, and IT. This multidisciplinary approach allowed challenges and industry problems to be viewed from multiple perspectives, resulting in creative and unconventional solutions.”


The hackathon resulted in the development of more than ten innovative solutions with the potential to influence the future of port development by promoting public education on sustainability, smart resource management, and CO2 emissions reduction.


For more information, visit alternativefuelshackathon.eu.


The hackathon was organized by the Ventspils High Technology Park foundation in collaboration with the cooperative society BASAFUL as part of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program project "Blue Supply Chains" (Project No. #C019).

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