The Department of Energy – in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Itron, and Gridwise Alliance -- kicked off its first-ever “Apps for Energy”  challenge on April 5, issuing an open invitation to innovative software developers to build new apps – for mobile phones, computers, tablets, software programs and more – that utilize data from major utility companies to help consumers and businesses use less energy and save money. Submissions must make use of Green Button electricity usage data, but can also include other data sets.

There will be $100,000 in prizes awarded in such categories as best overall app, student award, popular choice app, etc. Entry deadline is May 15. You can get all the Apps for Energy details here.

“Our top priority is to help consumers save money on their energy bills by providing them with easy access to data on how they use energy in their homes,” said Secretary Chu. “Apps for Energy will challenge our nation’s talented software developers to create apps that provide energy usage data in the most comprehensive and accessible formats.”