WWU Institute for Energy Studies to Host 'Carbon Hackathon' on April 24

Western Washington University’s Institute for Energy Studies will host a “Carbon Hackathon” from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24 in the Wilson Library Reading Room on Western’s Bellingham campus.

A hackathon is an event where a group of people engage in intense brainstorming sessions to develop creative solutions to challenging problems.  The challenge of reducing carbon emissions is the focus of this hackathon. 

Five student teams will compete to come up with the most creative, but feasible, approach for reducing carbon emissions in Washington State. The student teams will have one day to develop their proposal and will be mentored throughout the day by top energy industry thought leaders from Puget Sound Energy, Amazon, Trane, the City of Seattle, A&R Solar, Western faculty and other professionals. 

“Students will work with WWU faculty and professionals from industry, government and academia to ideate, innovate and communicate in a fast, furious and fun event,” said Joel Swisher, director of the Institute for Energy Studies at Western.

At 3 p.m., the event will open to the community.  Students, faculty, and community members are invited to cheer the teams on as they present their carbon “hacks” and watch the judging panel select a winning team.

“Western’s Institute for Energy Studies is a unique program, training students for careers in an industry undergoing immense changes as we repower our economy with clean and efficient energy,” said Ross Macfarlane, founding member of the Advisory Board for the Institute.  “This Hackathon provides an opportunity for students to roll up their sleeves and brainstorm solutions to some of our thorniest climate and energy challenges.”

The afternoon will conclude with a keynote address by KC Golden, Policy Director for Climate Solutions. 

The Institute for Energy Studies is using the hashtag #WWUHacksCarbon to encourage participation from as many members of the community as possible in the hackathon. The hashtag can be used to follow the event as well as to share ideas about how to “hack” away at carbon emissions.

For more information visit wp.wwu.edu/energysymposium.

The event's presenting sponsor is Puget Sound Energy.  Trane and University Mechanical Contractors are providing additional sponsorship support.

The Institute for Energy studies at Western Washington University is a multi-college collaboration that is developing a portfolio of academic programs to meet the growing demand, from students and Washington’s growing energy economy, for interdisciplinary education related to the science, technology, policy and business aspects of human production and use of energy.