Energize

The results of the Abstract Stage have been declared. To see the results, click here.

With oil prices spiraling out of control, the economies of the world are struggling to get hold of the situation. The fast depleting reserves of fossil fuels are only adding to the misery and the world is in desperate need for answers. The course of the human race will be determined by the effectiveness with which we learn to exploit alternative sources of energy. Energy crisis is one of the most burning topics today, and more so in the rural regions. Thousands of villages are yet to receive electricity, leaving millions of people in the shadow of darkness.The hour has long arrived when we came together and worked towards solving this problem and with an aim to do so, Techfest 2009 gives you Energize . Produce a minimum amount of power using any renewable source of energy, and you might bring light into the lives of thousands.

1. Problem Statement

a) Construct a device which uses only renewable sources of energy either to

• Produce at least 3 watts of electric power
• Perform any task more efficiently and conveniently than the present methods of performing it(such as washing clothes , grinding grains, pumping water from a well, etc.)

b) Any present solution to the energy crisis problem, which uses renewable or non renewable sources of energy, can also be used as a base and its reconstruction, such that it is made more efficient and acceptable to the society, is also invited.

Prizes worth INR 1,20,000 to be won.

To register for this competition, click here.

View the Competition Structure »

For further queries contact:

Energize is supported by:

Those who did not submit their abstracts by 30th August 2008 can still take part by sending us a detailed technical report by 30th November 2008 (which is the last date for registration).

The results of the Abstract Stage have been declared. To see the results, click here.

2.1 Abstract Submission

All the abstracts submitted will be screened and those, whose ideas are shortlisted, would be provided with mentors, who would be of immense help in carving your brainchild into a solution, by providing you with guidance at each step. As a result, your solution might get implemented throughout the country and making you a national figure.

• The last date for submitting the abstract is 30th August 2008.
• The write-ups should be mailed to prayaas@techfest.org with the subject "Prayaas: Energize write-up Reg. No. -------". Please do not forget to mention your registration number in your abstract while sending it.
• There is no restriction on the length of the abstract, however the following points must be addressed to in the abstract :
  1. The uniqueness of your idea.
  2. A plan of action for the implementation of your idea and how the implementation it is to be realized in practice.
  3. It is recommended that vital aspects of the project that require special focus are mentioned explicitly.
  4. Graphical and pictorial representation of data is encouraged.
  5. We would welcome statistical data in your abstract, however we emphasize that you specify the source of your data as well.
  6. Also the abstract should be as brief as possible.
  7. It is advisable for a participant to emphasize on those points in the abstract which satisfy the judging criteria of the final round, if possible.
• The names of the shortlisted participants will be available on the website by 15th September, 2008.

2.2 Model Presentation (Round 1)

After the short listing, participants will have to make a physical model for the solution, which will be reviewed in this stage. The participants will be required to submit a technical report and a video to demonstrate the progress made on their working model. The last date for the submission of the technical report and the video is 30th November 2008. The panel of judges will analyze the report and the video and will give them a detailed feedback as to how the model can be modified to achieve a better solution. The participants will recieve the feedback by 10th December 2008. Further details on this round will be given soon. The best models would be given prizes.

The report and the video should be mailed by post to the following address:
TECHFEST 2009
Students' Gymkhana,
IIT Bombay, Powai
Mumbai- 400076

Those participants who have not been selected after the abstract stage can come to IIT Bombay on November 29-30, 2008 along with a detailed abstract and model. Any participant who was not shortlisted at the abstract stage can be provided with mentorship subject to judges' decision.

2.3 The Finals

After Round One the participant will make a complete working prototype of the solution. The teams will have to bring their prototypes to be judged and showcased at Techfest 2009.

Those teams who did not present their models at round 1, have to bring their abstracts and the models to IIT Bombay by 30th November, before they can participate in the final round.

No new entries will be entertained after November 30th.

The final solution would be judged on the following criteria

1. Practicality of the idea.
2. Implement ability of the product and utility of the task being performed by it.
3. Volume to energy ratio.
4. Energy efficiency.
5. Cost efficiency.
6. Conditions and the feasibility under which your solution can be implemented.

View the Rules »

3.1 General Rules

1. The participating entries must be in a team of a maximum six people. If the participating team feels that their idea requires more participants to in their team, they can forward their request, with suitable reasons, to prayaas@techfest.org with the subject "energize team number increase".
2. The competition is open to all (student, research scholars and professionals).
3. Every team has to register online at our website for the competition. A registration number will be allocated to the team on registration which shall be used for future reference.
4. A team can participate at any point of time before 30th November. However, the abstracts submitted before 30th August 2008 would be considered for mentorship. Teams which submit their abstracts at a later stage would be provided with mentors only if their idea is exceptionally good.
5. Judges decision shall be treated as final and binding on all.
6. Note that at any point of time the latest information will be that on the site. The information provided in the pdf downloaded earlier may not be the latest. However, registered participants will be informed through mail about any changes on the site.

For International Participants: All International Participants will have to register before November 20th 2008, and will have to submit the videos of their prototypes along with an abstract before November 30th 2008. The shortlisted international team details will be put up on the website by 5th December 2008.

3.2 Certificate Policy

Those participants whose ideas and plan of action are recommended by the judges on the basis of their ability to get implemented will be provided with certificate of participation.

The top entries from this event would be provided with certificate of excellence.

3.3 Team Specification

The participating entries must be in a team of a maximum six people. If the participating team feels that their idea requires more participants to in their team, they can forward their request, with suitable reasons, to prayaas@techfest.org with the subject "Energize team number increase".

3.4 Registration

Registrations for Energize have started. To register, click here.

View the Resources »

4. Resources

To download the energize tutorial, click here.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the pdf. To download Acrobat Reader, click here.