Powerthon-2022 Hackathon

Union Minister for Power and MNRE, R K Singh, launched Powerthon-2022 on February 7, 2022.

What is Powerthon-2022?

  • Powerthon-2022 is a hackathon competition under RDSS. It will be organised to find technology driven solutions for solving complex problems in power distribution. It seeks to ensure quality and reliable power supply.
  • To run this competition, power ministry will have a standing body.
  • This innovation will be open and an ongoing scheme.
  • Under the programme, ideas and concepts will be rewarded with licence. The development of prototypes will also be fostered.
  • It will bring together qualified mentors with TSPs, innovators, and other participants for creating teams that hack for future and develop solutions, for creating a vibrant and efficient electricity network.

Launch of Powerthon-2022

The launch of Powerthon-2022 was announced by REC Limited in collaboration with SINE and IIT Bombay.

How will this competition run?

  • Powerthon-2022 is a hackathon competition, in which Technology Solution Providers (TSPs), educational institutions, start-ups, research institute, state power utilities, equipment manufacturers, as well as other state and central power sector entities, would be briefed on current challenges and problem statements in power distribution sector.
  • They would be invited to participate and showcase their technology driven solutions for solving those problems.
  • Participants will be tasked to find innovative solutions based on advanced emerging technologies such as AI/ML, IoT, Blockchain, VR/AR etc under 9 themes.
  • These themes have been hat have been identified after discussions & consultations with 14 DISCOMs from 9 states.

Theme for finding solutions

Theme has been categorized across 9 broad aspects:

  1. Demand or Load Forecasting
  2. AT&C (Aggregate Technical & Commercial) Loss Reduction
  3. Energy Theft Detection
  4. Prediction of DT (Distribution Transformer) Failure
  5. Asset Inspection
  6. Vegetation Management
  7. Consumer Experience Enhancement
  8. RE (Renewable Energy) Integration
  9. Power Purchase Optimization

Creation of Expert Group and Technical Committee

Under the competition, ministry would create Expert Group and a Technical Committee for overall evaluation of Proof of concept (POC) and selection of TSP. For each Problem statement, 4-5 TSPS will be shortlisted on the basis of their Proof of Concept (POC).

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)

The Powerthon-2022 competition is being launched in line with the aim of Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), which was introduced by Ministry of Power. RDSS is a Reform-based and Result-linked Scheme. It was launched with the objective of Reducing AT&C losses to 12-15%, eliminating ACOS-ARR gap by 2024-25 as well as improving the quality & reliability of power supply for building a robust power sector.


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