Alternative fuels in digital spotlight at the hackathon in Ventspils

18 December 2023

The Alternative Fuels Hackathon, organized by the Ventspils High Technology Park in cooperation with BASAFUL, within the framework of the Blue Supply Chains project, took place on 8-10 December 2023, both online and on-site at the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences in Latvia

Technical details

The event resulted in the development of more than ten innovative solutions that have the potential to influence the future of ports by raising public awareness on sustainability issues, smart resource management and reducing emissions (CO2) in ports.

More than 30 participants, supported by mentors and industry experts from various corners of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), took on the challenges set by the organizers. Over the span of 48 hours of intense, creative brainstorming, 11 teams created working digital prototypes, which impressed the jury.

After careful deliberation, these three teams were crowned winners:

1^st place: team “Zolara” (Krišjānis Odiņš, Kristaps Barons, Edmunds Zālītis) for developing an artificial intelligence tool for educating young people in Latvia on green energy topics;
2^nd place: “Tārgale United” (Kaspars Kukainis, Kārlis Kukainis, Roberts Kukainis, Eduards Žiborkins), who solved logistics efficiency problems in ro-ro terminals by creating an automated port system that reduces time and resource costs while promoting environmental friendliness;
3^rd place: team “Save some” (Ronalds Palacis, Haralds Juris Barkāns, Uldis Ramlavs), who proposed smart energy management in ports, integrating Nord Pool prices with artificial intelligence to optimise electricity use.

According to Imants Martinsons, mentor and one of the members of the jury, the ability to combine different competences, such as business, energy and IT, were the deciding factor for the choice of winners. By taking a multidisciplinary approach, allowing for tackling a challenge from a number of different perspectives, the winning teams were able to generate creative, out-of-the box solutions.

“It is a pleasure that the Ventspils High Technology Park, by organising this event, can be part of the sustainability story. Only by coming together and combining experience with enthusiasm can we turn different challenges into opportunities,” added Gvido Grīnbergs, Head of the Business Support and Digital Innovation Centre at the Ventspils High Technology Park Foundation.

Keep an eye out for more news regarding the events organized as part of the BSC project, as our Partners are already tossing around ideas for what is to come in 2024. And in the meantime, check out the gallery for more impressions from the hackathon!