California opens $500,000 clean-tech contest

The California Clean Tech Open, which will award $500,000 to entrepreneurs who come up with ideas for alternative energy and environmentally-conscious technology, has begun accepting applications.

The California Clean Tech Open will award five prizes for inventions in the following categories: energy efficiency, smart power, transportation, water management and renewable energy. The winners in each of the five categories will get $50,000 in cash and the equivalent of $50,000 in professional services like legal help. Contestants can come from anywhere in the U.S., but winners have to relocate their businesses in California to win. Applications will be accepted until May 31.

[maxwis]

How About Smart Traffic Lights?

I can't imagine how much petrol is wasted by having to stop at "dumb" traffic lights that simplistically change color using a repetive timer. How many times do you have to wait for a light to change when there is absolutely no traffic flowing in the other direction? California should get smart by doing simple things first to save energy, like switching to intelligent traffic lights that sense traffic flow, synchronizing traffic lights, etc.

[maxwis]

How About Smart Traffic Lights?

I can't imagine how much petrol is wasted by having to stop at "dumb" traffic lights that simplistically change color using a repetive timer. How many times do you have to wait for a light to change when there is absolutely no traffic flowing in the other direction? California should get smart by doing simple things first to save energy, like switching to intelligent traffic lights that sense traffic flow, synchronizing traffic lights, etc.