The Sustainability and Innovation Centre of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) recently organized the third cycle of the CleanTech Hackathon. The event saw the participation of 193 applications from 7 different countries, marking DEWA’s involvement in ‘UAE Innovates 2025’. As part of this initiative, the centre showcased the winning projects during its CleanTech Innovators Exhibition and the Cleantech Connect programme.
The winners of the third cycle were announced. Hueck Solar Energy from Germany won for its innovative concentrated solar power (CSP) technology. Econano Water Treatment from the UAE was awarded for its technology that utilizes metal-doped ZnO nanoparticles and solar energy for water purification. Hydrowind Energy, also from the UAE, secured a victory for its solutions addressing clean electricity, grid-scale energy storage, and seawater desalination. Additionally, Ecobeat from the UAE was recognized for its AI-powered solution designed for water and energy management, along with DoGood People from Spain, a platform focused on empowering individuals towards sustainability.
The competition received strong interest, with 100 participants from various scientific and professional backgrounds taking part in the first cycle. The projects presented focused on climate change mitigation, reducing global water scarcity, and enhancing environmental sustainability through desalination, decarbonisation, digitisation, energy efficiency improvements, carbon emission reduction, and digital technology integration into sustainable systems.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the MD & CEO of DEWA, highlighted the role of the Sustainability and Innovation Centre in supporting the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, aiming to achieve 100% clean energy sources for Dubai's energy production by 2050. Waleed bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA, emphasized that the winners of the CleanTech Hackathon would have the opportunity to collaborate with leading local and global investors, researchers, and industry experts.
The Centre has now become a global platform that unites innovators, investors, and experts worldwide to develop projects and programs promoting clean energy sources, energy efficiency techniques, carbon footprint reduction, and access to the latest clean and renewable energy innovations. The second cycle of the Hackathon previously attracted more than 160 applications from 25 nationalities and 20 universities worldwide.
