Last Thursday, California was awarded $90.4 million in stimulus funds from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP) to finance energy efficiency projects and promote green jobs. The funding represents 40% of California’s total SEP award, with the initial 10% going to planning, and the remaining 50% to be disbursed once California meets requisite reporting, oversight and accountability milestones.

The award will help to fund a statewide energy efficiency retrofit program as well cost-effective clean energy systems for residential, commercial and industrial buildings and facilities, while the revenue savings generated by these efficiency measures will help fund additional, ongoing efficiency projects.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) also plans to leverage existing partnerships in combination with $20 million in Recovery Act funding to create a more extensive green workforce focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, including wind and solar. Additionally, through June of 2012, the CEC will invest $15 million in building a workforce to tackle alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technology needs.

After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, California will receive more than $113 million in additional funding, for a total of $226 million for the entire program.

• Read more about the State Energy Program and other CEC recovery programs
• Related: “Stimulus Confirms Importance of Energy Efficiency, Provides Over $30 Billion for Green Energy” (e-Newswire, 2/25/09)

With serious drought conditions affecting California, saving water has become extremely important. And since 19% of California’s energy goes to pumping water, when you save water, you save energy too. Here are some easy tips for saving in your bathroom.

1. Repair leaks:
On average, leaks account for 13% of home water usage.

2. Ventilate properly:
When you shower or take a bath, use the bathroom fan to remove the heat and humidity from your home. This will help keep your A/C from working overtime. ENERGY STAR qualified fans are available.

3. Seal around pipes:
Space around plumbing pipes can be a common source of air leakage. Make sure yours are covered and sealed around the edges.

4. Opt for Brief Showers over Baths:
A ten minute shower can use less than a full bath.

5. Low-Flow Showerheads:
These can save 44% over non-conserving showerheads. Here’s how to test your existing showerhead to see if it’s a water-guzzler:

• Place a bucket—marked in gallon increments—under your shower head.
• Turn on the shower at the normal water pressure you use.
• Time how many seconds it takes to fill the bucket to the 1-gallon (3.8 liter) mark.
• If it takes less than 20 seconds to reach the 1-gallon mark, you could benefit from a low-flow showerhead.

Also, remember not to fall victim to the Snackwell effect – don’t take longer showers just because you have a more efficient system.

6. Faucets/Faucet Attachments:
Faucet aerators can also save water, and only cost a few dollars. Try this cost calculator for faucets and low-flow toilets.

7. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth:
This can save up to 3,000 gallons of water per year.

8. Low-flush toilet:
Depending on your current model, switching to an ultra-low-flush toilet could help you save thousands of gallons per year. Also, keep an eye out for dual flush models to help you save even more.

9. WaterSense products:
WaterSense is similar to the government’s ENERGY STAR program, except it covers water instead of energy. Look for the WaterSense label when buying faucets, faucet aerators, and toilets.

• Related: Energy-saving tips for the living room and kitchen
• Browse our complete list of tips
• Find rebates on energy and water saving products

They may not save millions of megawatts, but these recently-developed toys from the Greener Gadgets Design Competition do promise to help teach kids about energy. The first is a set of action figures dubbed Fastronauts. Each of the three little super heroes is charged by kinetic energy, and will talk, light up and zoom around in its vehicle the more it is charged - one even attaches to a bike and is charged by the motion of the wheel. The toys also feature tri-color LEDs that show how much energy has been generated, and they are made with a recyclable casing. Designed to teach children about energy conservation while encouraging them to move and play, Fastronauts offer a unique alternative to the usual battery-powered energy hogs.

Did someone say energy hogs? The other kids’ item on our list is the Power Hog power meter, a piggy-bank shaped appliance designed to teach kids about energy conservation, and keep kids off the TV for a while. Another finalist in the competition, the hog works by blocking energy to an appliance until it has been fed a coin. Simply plug the hog’s tail into an outlet and feed it a coin to meter out 30 minutes of energy for TV, video games, or other activities. Of course, kids may eventually figure out that they can simply unplug the piggy to avoid the toll, but the power hog remains a novel way to associate energy conservation with savings, and to start kids thinking on a resource-intelligent track.

• Read more about Fastronauts or the Power Hog Power Meter

The other day I came home with a new pair of jeans I bought at a clearance sale and I told my husband, “I saved 50% on these.” His reply? “If you keep saving us money, we’re going to go broke!” This familiar exchange is an apt metaphor for the world of consumer electronics as it applies to energy efficiency and the fight against global warming.

The American Efficiency Council claims that semiconductor-based technologies have improved efficiency throughout the economy, helping to
“avoid” the need for 184 power plants since 1976, “saving” consumers and businesses $69 billion on their electricity bills (through 2006) and preventing 479 million megatons of CO2-equivalent emissions. While these numbers are impressive and true in one sense, they don’t tell the larger story of the crescendo of consumer electronics flooding our culture with non-essential energy-consuming devices. Does every household in America (including mine) really need multiple iPods, cordless phones, televisions, cell phones, printers, stereo systems, laptops, digital cameras and more? According to the International Energy Agency, the intensifying acquisition of such devices means that when aggregated, these gadgets are expected to demand twice as much power by 2022 and three times as much by 2030 - creating a need for another 280 gigawatts of power generation. This is roughly equivalent to adding another Japan to the world or more than 230 nuclear power plants.

The phenomenon of gaining efficiencies while continuing to increase energy demand makes sense. People who buy a Prius often cite its efficiency as a justification for then driving more frequently and longer distances. However, if we continue our push towards greater efficiency, but don’t temper it with conservation efforts, we may “save some energy” on that sale called efficiency gains, but in the long run our climate will go broke.

• Related: “The Snackwell Effect: Consumers Sabotage Energy-Saving Efforts” (e-Newswire, 4/7/09)
• Related: “Big Screens Mean Big Energy Bills” (FlexYourPower.org)

It’s the ultimate portable computer – iUnika’s new $180 solar-powered netbook, the Gyy. Featuring solar panels mounted on the back of the display, the tiny, 1.5 pound laptop is designed for computing on-the-go. Its 8-inch screen and minimal processing and RAM capabilities keep the price low, while sustainable components set it apart. The computer body itself is composed of bioplastics and biodegradable materials made from starch and cellulose, making the unit easy to recycle. The Gyy is particularly ideal for developing countries that lack grid power, and it is scheduled to be on store shelves in June or July.

In addition to powering your laptop, the sun can now also power your small gadgets with Suntrica’s SolarBadge and SolarStrap – pocket-sized chargers that strap to your body or to a backpack. Covered in flexible thin film solar panels, the chargers have a service voltage of 5 V, making them handy for charging phones, GPS systems, media players, and other small devices. Customers can either use the energy immediately, or employ the internal battery to store energy for a later date. Although Suntrica’s devices are not the first portable solar power chargers, their durability and versatility make them ideal for everyday use.

The SolarStrap and SolarBadge from Suntrica

• Read background: “iUnika Unveils Ultralight Cheap Solar-Powered Netbook,” by Ariel Schwartz (Inhabitat, 5/20/09)
• Read background: “Suntrica’s Wearable Solar Chargers,” by Ariel Schwartz (Inhabitat, 5/20/09)

They may not save millions of megawatts, but these recently-developed toys from the Greener Gadgets Design Competition do promise to help teach kids about energy. Dubbed Fastronauts, the three little super heroes are charged using kinetic energy and will talk, light up and zoom around in their vehicles the more they are charged - one even attaches to a bike and is charged by the motion of the wheel. The toys also feature tri-color LEDs that show how much energy has been generated, and they are made with a recyclable casing. Designed to teach children about energy conservation while encouraging them to move and play, Fastronauts offer a unique alternative to the usual battery-powered energy hogs.

• Related: “For Kids: Power Hog Power Meter Associates Energy and Money,” (e-Newswire, 6/16/09)

Did someone say energy hogs? The other kids’ item on our list is the Power Hog power meter, a piggy-bank shaped appliance designed to teach kids about energy conservation, and keep kids off the TV for a while. A finalist in the Greener Gadgets Design Competition, the hog works by blocking energy to an appliance until it has been fed a coin. Simply plug the hog’s tail into an outlet and feed it a coin to meter out 30 minutes of energy for TV, video games, or other activities. Of course, kids may eventually figure out that they can simply unplug the piggy to avoid the toll, but the power hog remains a novel way to associate energy conservation with savings, and to start kids thinking on a resource-intelligent track.

• Related: “For Kids: New ‘Fastronaut’ Toys Powered by Play,” (e-Newswire, 6/16/09)

Here at Flex Your Power we encourage people to shut off electronics when not in use and unplug devices to cut standby power use. The easiest way to do this has been to use a power strip that can be turned off when devices are not in use.

Sometimes it can be hard to switch off electronics because of hard to reach plugs, or power strips that are shared with devices that must stay on, like a DVR or router.

Technology has the solution to this problem with “smart power strips” that make it even easier for you to cut standby power use and save money.

One device from Wattstopper uses an occupancy sensor to control power flow. Six of the 8 outlets of this power strip are controlled by an occupancy sensor, so they cut all power flow when there is no one in the room. The other 2 are “normal” outlets that can be used for devices that must stay on. This means that your printer, fax, stereo, TV, video game system, etc., will always get “unplugged” without having to lift a finger.

Another smart strip available is fittingly called the “Smart Strip Power Strip.” This unit uses one device, usually a computer or TV, as the “control” device. When the control device is shut off, all peripherals (printer, DVD, Playstation, etc.) are also turned off. With this unit as long as you remember to shut off that primary piece of equipment you will never leave the other devices on.

With more helpful technology like this it just keeps getting easier and easier to be energy smart around the home. Take some time around your home and think about how you can take action to use less energy and save money.

• Click here for more information on cutting standby power use
• Get more great home energy saving tips

In a few years time, Nokia may begin selling a phone that can charge its battery by harvesting ambient radio waves from the air. The intriguing new technology is still in development, but if successful, it could lead to significant energy savings and might even be applicable to other hand-held devices. In the meantime, many phone companies are already offering green products, including a Nokia phone that uses a sensor to detect natural light, allowing the phone to save energy.

Solar-powered cell phones are also gaining popularity. LG’s recent prototype features a solar-powered battery built into the back cover, and can generate enough energy for 3 minutes worth of talk time for every 10 minutes of sun it soaks in. If left in natural light for longer periods, it can power the phone for longer, and may eliminate or reduce the need for a conventional charger. These solar-powered phones may be especially useful in parts of the world where there is limited or no access to electricity.

Manufacturers are also striving to use recycled or biodegradable parts, such as Motorola’s “Renew” and Samsung’s “Blue Earth,” which is made from recycled water bottles, and also features a CO2 emissions calculator and solar-powered battery.

Finally, the “GreenHeart” coming soon from Sony Ericsson promises to have a 15 percent smaller CO2 footprint, a paperless, online manual, smaller packaging and will be made of at least 50 percent recycled plastics. Sony Ericsson says that it plans to eventually incorporate the GreenHeart features into the rest of it’s phones, indicating that going green is not only good for the planet, it also makes economic sense.

• Read background: “Inching Toward Greener Cell Phones,” by James Kanter (The New York Times, 2/16/2009)
• Read background: “Nokia Phone Charges by Drawing Energy Out of Thin Air,” by Bridgette Meinhold (Inhabitat.com, 6/11/09)
• Related: “Personal Carbon Counter Allows Mobile Phone Users to Track Daily Carbon Emissions,” (e-Newswire, 12/7/07)

It’s up, it’s running, and it’s looking really cool. It’s the first of 1,100 solar powered bus stops to be installed throughout the city of San Francisco. Situated at Geary and Arguello boulevards, it sports a wavy red roof lined with solar panels and will use the sun’s rays to power an intercom, LED lighting, and a wireless router which is part of an effort to provide city-wide WiFi. The shelter is also expected to feed energy back into the city’s electrical grid.

The shelter itself was built with sustainable materials including the roof which was made from 40% post-industrial recycled polycarbonate embedded with thin-film photovoltaic cells, and a steel support structure composed of 75% recycled material.

The fact that these shelters are being installed in one of the most notoriously foggy cities in California shows just how feasible solar technology can be, and underscores the potential for similar efforts in sunnier cities like Los Angeles or San Diego.

“Transit shelters that use photovoltaics, LEDs, and WiFi are going to be standard in the future and I’m proud that San Francisco is once again acting like the pace car for other cities by trying and implementing these technologies,” noted San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsom.

Designed by Lundberg Design and contracted through Clear Channel, the project is set to be completed by 2013.

San Francisco’s first solar powered bus shelter, located at Geary and Arguello Boulevards, features PV panels, LED lighting, and a wireless router (Photo: Mike Chino)

• Related: “San Francisco Considering Solar-Powered, LED Bus Shelters” (e-Newswire,
  6/1/07)
• Read background: “Solar Powered Bus Shelter Unveiled in San Francisco,” by Mike Chino (Inhabitat.com, 6/1/09)