HackAP Hackathon to Foster Innovation in State Power Sector, says APEPDCL CMD

The Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET), Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with the Climate Collective Foundation, will host the “HackAP Hackathon” to encourage innovation and technological advancement in the state’s power sector.

APEPDCL Chairman and Managing Director, Prudhvi Tej Immadi said the initiative invites startups to develop technology-driven solutions to address operational challenges faced by power utilities. The hackathon seeks smart, data-based innovations to improve the functioning of APEPDCL, APCPDCL, and APSPDCL.

Shortlisted startups will have the opportunity to present their solutions before senior officials of the state power sector. The three DISCOMs in Andhra Pradesh will offer the winners the opportunity to pilot and implement their technologies.

Mr. Immadi said the event will focus on enhancing the reliability and efficiency of power distribution through advanced technologies. Predictive maintenance using drone-based inspections and artificial intelligence (AI) analytics will be among the top priorities, enabling a shift from time-based to condition-based maintenance practices.

He noted that revenue protection through smart meter data analytics is another key focus area. By leveraging 15-minute interval readings, utilities can detect electricity theft, billing errors, and other anomalies, while predictive analytics can help identify potential transformer failures.

The hackathon will also explore technologies to detect insulator failures in high-tension lines using thermal, optical, ultraviolet, or acoustic sensing systems that can operate around the clock.

Established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh through APEPDCL, CoEET aims to promote applied research, skill development, and entrepreneurship in sustainable energy. The HackAP Hackathon will be held in Visakhapatnam.