Houston Energy & Climate Week Hack the Heat Hack-A-Thon

Join us for the first-ever Hack the Heat Hackathon, a hands-on innovation sprint tackling real-world challenges at the intersection of energy, technology, and climate. We’re bringing together coders, creatives, engineers, data nerds, marketers, policy thinkers—and anyone passionate about sustainable solutions! 🧠 The Challenge:Texas power demand spikes in the evenings. Your mission? Build solutions that shift energy usage to off-peak hours using data, design, education, and incentives. Think: demand response, not blackouts. 👩‍🎓 Students & 2025 Grads✔️ Real-world project for your resume✔️ Internships & jobs: energy reps will be there✔️ Free food 🍕🎟️ Sign up (participant) 👨‍💻 Professionals in AI, Data, Energy, Software, Marketing, Comms✔️ Mentor teams solving the most urgent energy challenge✔️ Meet talent & peers shaping energy🎟️ Sign up (mentor) 🌎 The Impact: Help shape solutions that can make our cities cooler, smarter, and more sustainable. Let’s hack the heat—together. ​Terms & Conditions Hackathon Agenda Theme: How do we shift demand during high-peak times? 👉 Please be on the lookout in your inbox for an invite as the date gets closer! 🟣 Mon, Sept 15 – Kickoff Call🕕 6:00–7:30 PM👋 Problem intro + team formation💡 Don’t have a team? No worries—we got you. 🟡 Tues, Sept 16 – Work Day (Virtual)🔄 Optional check-ins: 10 AM | 12 PM | 4 PM | 6 PM🧠 Heads-down time to build, research, ideate. 🟢 Wed, Sept 17 – Hackathon Day @ HECW🍩 8:30 AM – Breakfast + Welcome⚡ 9:30 AM – Demand Response Panel🔍 10:15 AM – Problem Framing🤝 10:35 AM – Meet Judges + Mentors💭 11:45 AM – Breakouts Begin🥪 12:00 PM – Lunch🔧 1:00 PM – Work Session🔄 2:00 PM – Midpoint Check-in🛠️ 2:30 PM – Final Prep🎤 4:00 PM – Team Presentations + Judging🏆 5:00 PM – Closing + Wrap-Up 🎉 Fri, Sept 19 – Awards @ HECW Closing Ceremony GOALS Data Scientists & Analysts Analyze usage data to identify problem loadsModel a more desirable load shapeSuggest customer cohorts or device types to targetDefine: Where can we move demand and how much? Developers & Designers Prototype ways to present usage data back to customersBuild visual tools that help people understand their impactCan we create an interactive dashboard or mobile UI? Marketers & Comms Explore how to educate customers about peak usageBrainstorm campaigns, messages, and timingWhat incentives actually drive behavior change? Engineers & Economists Propose incentive structures to reward off-peak usageSimulate the impact of TOU pricing or gamificationHow do we balance economics + experience? 🎤 What makes a winning presentation?It’s not just about looking good — it’s about thinking smart and showing impact. ✅ Presentations are scored on:📉 Predictive models or tech solutions🌐 Engaging visual displays💬 Storytelling that connects 🧠 Judged by:🚀 Innovation🎯 Feasibility💡 Clarity🤝 Customer Impact Bring the data, the design, and the why — and make it unforgettable. 💥 Demand Response or Bust. By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with Houston Energy and Climate Week organizers. ​Houston Energy and Climate Week is organized by Allies in Energy, a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) community of business leaders, investors, and philanthropists dedicated to advancing energy and climate literacy through collaboration and partnership.