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Flex Your Power Awards Frequently Asked Questions

Applications

Who can receive a Flex Your Power Award?

What's involved in the application process?

When are winners notified?

If I've won an award before, can I apply again?

What are the categories? How are they defined?

What do I do if our program falls into more than one of the entrant categories? Should I submit an application for each?

We have a renewable energy program. Is it eligible for a Flex Your Power Award?

How do I calculate my energy savings?

If I'm applying for an award in the Innovative Products and Services category, does my product have to be on the market? Can it be a pilot project?

What kind of recognition or endorsement will energy award winners receive? Are award winners going to receive media recognition?

Which websites will run congratulatory advertising?

Can my application narrative be longer than is prescribed in the award announcement?

What happens to the information that we submit? Will it become public?

Scoring Criteria/Selection Process:

Who will be on the awards selection committee?

Will my organization be judged against other organizations of similar size or financial resources?

How will we be judged if we started our program a few years ago and are very efficient now? Won't our savings be less dramatic than those whose baselines were many years ago?

Title 24 and Government Standards

Does taking action to meet government mandated efficiency standards such as those in Title 24 qualify for an award?

Applications

Who can receive a Flex Your Power Award?

A: Any organization doing business in California is eligible for an award. Organizations may not nominate programs that receive Public Goods Charge funding; however, utilities and other organizations may submit applications for programs not funded by the public goods charge or for efficiency upgrades in their own facilities.

When are applications due?

A: Applications for the 7th Flex Your Power Awards will begin next year.

What's involved in the application process?

A: The online application process is fast and easy. We will ask about your company or organization, ask for a short written description of the project and just a few other questions depending on the category.

  • Energy Efficiency - Describe the steps taken to reduce energy use and to estimate the annual energy savings in kilowatt-hours and dollars saved.
  • Media and Education - What efforts have you made to promote efficiency and what are the realized or expected results?
  • Innovative Products and/or Services - Please provide information about your product or service and how it has improved energy efficiency or reduced peak demand.
  • Demand Response - Describe the steps taken to reduce peak energy use and to quantify the peak load reduction in kilowatts and percent of peak demand.
  • Water Conservation/Efficiency - Please provide information about your water conservation project and quantify the water savings in gallons per year. We also provide an easy conversion to quantify how saving water also saved energy.

If I've won an award before, can I apply again?

A: To ensure that we can recognize a range of leaders in California, previous award winners may only reapply each year under different categories and in the same category every third year.

What are the award categories? How are they defined?

  • Energy Efficiency – Efforts to reduce total energy (electricity and/or natural gas) consumption through the installation of energy-efficient equipment, lighting and/or appliances or through the completion of energy-efficient building retrofits or new construction projects.

  • Media and Education - Educational efforts or media coverage that has positively impacted energy efficiency and/or demand response activities.
  • Innovative Products and/or Services - Developing and/or widely offering new and effective products or services that promote energy efficiency and/or demand response.

  • Peak Demand Response – Efforts to reduce “peak” power consumption by shedding or shifting electricity demand.

  • Water Conservation/Efficiency – Efforts to conserve water through conservation, water recycling and other efforts. Conserving water also conserves energy as 19% of California's electricity goes to pumping, moving and treating water.

Q: What do I do if our program falls into more than one of the entrant categories? Should I submit an application for each?

A: Submit only one application, even if you have taken measures in more than one category. Comprehensive programs are strongly encouraged. Please clearly identify each of the categories under which your program falls and provide all relevant information for each.

Q: We have a renewable energy program. Is it eligible for a Flex Your Power Award?

A: Renewable energy is vital to the state's long-term energy plans; however, only renewable projects that are incorporated into an overall energy efficiency program are eligible. A stand-alone solar project, for example would not be considered. Solar used as part of a peak demand implementation would be considered.

Q: How do I calculate my energy savings?

A: Here are a few options:

  • If your energy savings stem from a large retrofit project or technology upgrade, check with your energy contractor or equipment distributor.
  • Contact your utility – an account representative will be able to help you review your records and calculate your savings.
  • Use energy calculators available from ENERGY STAR.

Q: If I'm applying for an award in the Innovative Products and/or Services category, does my product have to be on the market? Can it be a pilot project?

A: Pilot projects that have completed a successful beta test are eligible.

Q: What kind of recognition or endorsement will energy award winners receive? Are award winners going to receive media recognition?

A: Flex Your Power will recognize award winners in congratulatory advertisements. Award winners may receive additional exposure through media coverage of the awards ceremony. Additionally, award winners and their programs will be recognized on www.FlexYourPower.org and other Flex Your Power publications.

Q: Which websites will run congratulatory advertising?

A: Ads will appear in major online news publications.

Q: Can my application narrative be longer than is prescribed in the award announcement?

A: No. Application narratives are not to exceed 750 words.

Q: What happens to the information that we submit? Will it become public?

A: Information submitted by award winners may be used in Flex Your Power’s publications as well as in Flex Your Power’s congratulatory advertising. Although in the past most organizations have welcomed the exposure associated with receiving a Flex Your Power Award, we realize that certain applicants may wish to submit information for judging consideration only. When submitting an application, please indicate all information that should remain private. No applicant information will be published or released without prior approval.

Scoring Criteria/Selection Process:

Q: Who will be on the awards selection committee?

A: Experts from state agencies, industry associations and the public and private sectors.

Q: Will my organization be judged against other organizations of similar size or financial resources?

A: Yes.

Q: How will we be judged if we started our program a few years ago and are very efficient now? Won’t our savings be less dramatic than those whose baselines were many years ago?

A: We want to recognize long-standing and strong energy conservation and efficiency programs. Judges will take into account all relevant information, including the start date of your program. As long as a significant portion of your efforts occurred in 2007 or 2008, you can apply.

Title 24 and Government Standards

Q: Does taking action to meet government mandated efficiency standards such as those in Title 24 qualify for an award?

A: No, to qualify for an award applicants must have taken action that goes above and beyond any state, federal or local government efficiency requirement.