Smart Grid LIVE conference in Fort Collins, CO

 Over the next few years, our increased reliance on new energy sources and the ways that we receive and use power will create many new opportunities for work and study in the energy sector. During Smart Grid LIVE in Fort Collins, Colorado, from September 25–27, 2012, high school students and teachers alike will have the unique opportunity to discover how the natural energy sources we use will communicate with our homes, vehicles, and businesses to meet the energy needs of our future. Students will learn this through a smart grid simulation and a fun but informative presentation by an international leader in energy technologies.

Videos: 

• What is Smart Grid?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8cM4WfZ_Wg

• Mad Science: Smart Grid  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93YM0PNFgSs

 

10 Free and Easy Steps to Becoming More Energy Efficient

Home energy savings is a critical step to getting America back on track toward a strong economy and energy independence. ReCharge America (www.rechargeamercia.org) is a proud part of RENEW AMERICA TOGETHER. The campaign is national in reach, but local in focus.



Lisa Ling, of Oprah and CNN's Planet in Peril, shares 10 easy steps -- all things you know how to do and probably have been meaning to do -- that you can do to cut your energy costs and help America do the same.

The CFL - Your Energy Efficient Light Bulb

Energy saving bulbs - Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) - use one fifth of the energy of ordinary bulbs. Help the animals save their planet and ours, use energy saving bulbs!



http://fartingcow.com/

Energy Service Corps' Energy Assessment Music Video

Watch a music video created by New Jersey's Energy Service Corps to see what type of work is being done in Colorado and in other states!

What is the Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program?

The Weatherization Assistance Program enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. This video features the CHP Weatherization team as the perform weatherization services in Virginia. However, we have 10 agencies in Colorado offering these services to all of our communities.



For more information on Weatherization services in Colorado, click here.

If you would like to apply for free energy-efficiency services through the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) Weatherization Program, or if you have questions regarding eligibility or the program application, please contact your local partner agency.

Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
Energy Resource Center
Housing Resources of Western Colorado
Arapahoe County Weatherization Division
Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE)
Pueblo County Department of Housing and Human Services
Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ)
Northeastern Colorado Association of Local Governments
Longs Peak Energy Conservation

Take Charge! TODAY

Brought to you by: U.S. Department of Energy

HELP SAVE ENERGY FOR TOMORROW
There are all kinds of excuses for not saving energy at home. But if we all just did some simple things, we could be way more efficient and save money too. Let’s use our resources more wisely. Get an Energy Action Plan for your family today.

Join millions of people who are using their energy wisely. Follow this check list -->

Energy Action Ideas for Kids

Go to http://www.loseyourexcuse.gov/ to create an energy action plan with your students!

In a national survey of kids ages 8-12, 85 percent of respondents believed that they could lead their family to do what is needed to consume less energy in the home. The U.S. Department of Energy and the Ad Council have partnered together to launch a new kid-targeted campaign entitled Whats Your Excuse? highlighting the simplicity of making energy efficient changes in the home and asking kids to join millions of others to make a difference by using their energy wisely.



The PSAs direct tweens to an interactive website www.loseyourexcuse.gov where they can download the Energy Action plan and learn fun, simple tips on energy efficient behaviors and new technological advances to reduce energy consumption in the home.

www.loseyourexcuse.gov

Energy, Gaming and Smart Phones

This 2-minute movie of an energy game was produced by Prof. Byron Reeves at Stanford University, and was part of a presentation on November 17, 2008 to the BECC Conference (Behavior, Energy & Climate Change) in Sacramento.



There are known ingredients for great games and many of them can be seen in the video (for example; timely feedback, self-representation with avatars, transparent reputations, an economy with points and currency, and collaboration on competitive teams). The purpose of the movie is to explore the use of successful ingredients in virtual worlds and games that will change energy use behavior.

The science about how the game ingredients work has been part of research in the H-STAR Institute (Human Sciences and Technologies Research) at Stanford University, and implementations of similar serious games have been developed and tested with Seriosity, Inc. in Palo Alto.

The game was produced using the game Sims 2, combined with live action footage. It was directed by Blair Erickson and Michael Verdi and produced by Thomas Caleshu of Millions of Us, LLC.

© Byron Reeves, Stanford University
Contact information:
Prof. Byron Reeves
reeves@stanford.edu
231 Wallenberg Hall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305

What is an Energy Audit?

A home energy checkup helps owners determine where their house is losing energy and money - and how such problems can be corrected to make the home more energy efficient. A professional technician - often called an energy auditor - can give your home a checkup. You can also do some of the steps yourself. Items shown here include checking for leaks, examining insulation, inspecting the furnace and ductwork, performing a blower door test and using an infrared camera.