Tenaga Nasional explores blockchain technology

This post is brought to you by TNB.

With the rise in popularity of blockchain technology, it becomes crucial that people get a head start in finding the best way to use this relatively new technology. When it comes to that, not many understand this need better than Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

What is Blockchain?

A blockchain is a decentralized, distributed and incorruptible digital ledger that is used to record transactions across many computers. It is a distributed network of computers (called nodes) where each node contains a chain-of-blocks (hence the name) where each block contains a ledger with a list of transactions. What makes this technology unique is the fact that each of the transactions made are incorruptible because they’re cryptographically secure.

It’s a powerful new technology that has pretty much changed the dynamics that exist between buyers and sellers of goods and services — and this technology is still in its infancy.
 

Exploring Blockchain technology

In line with the company’s desire to push innovation, TNB’s ICT Innovation Department started the ICON Hackathon Series in the middle of 2017 as an internal event designed to instil the spirit of innovation among TNB staff. The first installment focused on the subject of Smart Energy and Smart Security using Raspberry Pi.

However, due to the positive feedback they received, TNB opened up the ICON Hackathon Series to public participation. Since they opened it to the public, TNB has hosted three public hackathons each with a different theme. The first revolved around the Internet of Things (IoT) and was themed “Enhancing Employees Productivity Through IoT”.

Then, they followed that up with a hackathon themed “Enhance TNB Support Service Through Chatbot”, which was centred around the exploration of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Most recently, the company launched the third installment of the series entitled “Blockchain — Tokenization of Employee Reward System” which began on the 19th of March 2018 with a briefing that was held at TNB Dua Central. On the 26th of March 2018, the official Pitching Day was held at MIGHT, Cyberjaya where five teams participated — four from private companies and one more from Universiti Tenaga Nasional:

● Team Midori from Chaintope Malaysia Sdn Bhd
● Gyantope from Chaintope Malaysia Sdn Bhd
● EPC Blockchain from EPC Blockchain Sdn Bhd
● Blockchainers from Blockchain Technology (M) Sdn Bhd
● 404 Not Found from Universiti Tenaga Nasional

Each team was given a 7-minute slot to pitch their ideas with several minutes allocated for Q&A. The ideas are judged based on practicality, innovation and originality, impact, technicality and overall presentation.

After an intense round of pitching, three teams were chosen as finalists and will compete in the grand finals that will be held later in May this year. The teams are EPC Blockchain, Team MIdori and Gyantope.

For more information on TNB’s Blockathon, check out https://iconhackathon.azurewebsites.net/