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NEWS & INSIGHTS | article

NZTC launches first Code[Less] virtual hackathon event in partnership with tech-giant Microsoft

31 July 2020 3 minute read

NZTC has launched its first virtual hackathon event – Code[Less] – in partnership with Microsoft. Taking place from September 21-24, the event will see 75 participants team up to solve one of the challenges set, without using coding, to raise awareness of the demand for automation and innovation in the energy sector and the push towards a net zero economy.

Using information from data partners Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC), Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) and Intelligent Plant, 15 teams will spend the first three days using Microsoft Power Apps to solve their allocated challenge.

The event is free to enter and open to individuals, who will be placed into a team, or established groups. Code[Less] welcomes those with a range of capabilities and understanding of hackathons – coding experience is not essential. Participants will be given the opportunity to upskill and receive masterclasses on Microsoft’s technology as well as mentoring from the company. They will use this knowledge and their expertise, combined with creative ideas, to showcase the solutions found.

Five teams will be shortlisted to go on to present their pitch to an expert judging panel on the final day of  ENGenious Online 2020, which is taking place simultaneously to Code[Less].The digital focused sister event to SPE Offshore Europe is being held as a global virtual conference, exhibition and networking experience this year. The symposium aims to showcase technological and digital developments and how companies implement them into everyday scenarios.

Hackathons are typically held in person and require coding to unveil solutions in data, however with the COVID-19 pandemic, the NZTC has turned to technology to host the event virtually to deliver the same experience to participants.

Colette Cohen OBE, CEO at the Oil & Gas Technology Centre, said:

“Today’s conditions are forcing a level of accelerated change in our industry, to thrive in this environment we need to have the right technology and data to power our decision making, and we need to respond at pace.  So, working with Microsoft and our data partners, we have created Code[Less] hackathon challenges to stretch the best minds and teams. The Code[Less] hackathon is for anyone who has a passion for finding creative solutions and an interest in technology and data. This event is a first for our sector. So, bring your disruptive and creative ideas and register to join us at the hackathon – don’t wait, there are only 75 places available.”

Simon Marshall, Exhibition Director, ENGenious Online 2020 said:

“The purpose of ENGenious is to challenge thinking and showcase cutting-edge technology to enable the digital transformation and this makes Code[Less] a perfect fit. The final judging session and announcement of the winner is one of several exciting free features that we are launching next week together with the keynote, plenary and conference programme.”

Nic Granger, OGA Director of Corporate, said:

“We are delighted that OGA data is being used to unlock value through the hackathon event. We are constantly improving our data offering to industry and are keen for it to be used with machine learning and AI techniques to offer new insights from industry data.”

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