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Renew Our Schools Energy Competition

Exploring Your School’s Energy Use

Improving energy efficiency in schools should be a priority for all districts striving to eliminate unnecessary expenses while maintaining safe learning environments. Renew Our Schools is an excellent opportunity to engage students and staff with a fun conservation competition focused on responsible energy use. Participating schools use an energy monitoring system (eGauge) to track electricity use and discover the impact of no-cost actions to conserve energy.
 

Interest Form
Masked student in a hoodie sits at a desk with a laptop, calculator, and notebook, studying as bar charts appear on the laptop screen in a classroom.
Group of students in a classroom watch a science demo; a person wearing a headband handles a black hose connected to equipment on a table.

Focus on Energy, in partnership with KEEP - Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program, sponsors a limited number of schools to compete. Focus on Energy reimburses schools up to $3,000 for the purchase and installation of the eGauge system. Schools can keep the monitoring equipment following the competition and continue tracking their energy use for years to come.

In addition to financial assistance, Focus on Energy and KEEP support schools during the competition with:

  • Comprehensive support, including on‑site energy audits, Energy Advisor mentorship, and coordinated energy‑action planning.
  • Instructional resources such as lesson‑planning assistance, energy‑audit tools, curriculum, and guidance.
  • In‑person school visits, access to the Renew Our Schools portal, and ongoing communication throughout the competition.

Blog Posts

Five students wearing masks stand around a large touchscreen showing a "Saving Energy" slide in a classroom.

School Expectations During Renew Our Schools Competition

Previous blogs outline the tools, resources, and financial incentives Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) and FOCUS ON ENERGY® provide during the Renew Our Schools energy competition. However, a successful school energy challenge will also need
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Group of students in a boiler room use handheld infrared cameras to inspect a large blue industrial boiler amid pipes and equipment.

How Schools Earn Points in the Renew our Schools Competition

Renew Our Schools runs competitions between schools across the nation. Currently, ten Wisconsin schools are competing for cash and prizes in this six-week energy challenge. Schools earn points by saving energy and completing school energy actions. Points
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Group of people in a boiler room inspecting a large blue industrial boiler; several hold handheld meters to take readings.

The First Steps in the Renew Our Schools Competition

Once enrolled in the competition, an electricity monitor eGauge® will be installed in your school's electrical panel. This equipment allows students and staff to monitor energy in real-time and see the immediate impact of energy conservation efforts.
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Thermal image of several people in a line indoors; warm orange figures against a purple background, with a central readout near 79.4–79.5°F.

How Much Does It Cost to Enroll in the Renew Our Schools Competition?

Making positive energy efficiency changes to schools does not have to be expensive. Making small behavioral changes such as turning off lights and computer monitors is free and can add up to measurable savings. The Renew Our School competition is a fun,
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Five people stand together in a hallway, smiling at the camera; one person holds a handwritten sign. A purple wall and railing are behind them.

Wisconsin Schools Cash in on Energy Savings

Three Wisconsin schools taking part in the FOCUS ON ENERGY®/ Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP)  Renew Our Schools Competition showed just how much energy they could save in just one day and their energy teams will get some cold hard
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Two students sit at a wooden classroom table with laptops, a clipboard, and a calculator; one writes on the clipboard while the other watches.

Renew Our School Competition Kicks Off in Wisconsin

Schools across the state are participating in Renew Our Schools, a six-week energy competition to get students and staff members excited about responsible energy use. Participating schools install electricity monitors to track real-time energy use.
Read More
An older person in a plaid shirt explains to a group of young people in a mechanical room with large gray Benchmark machines and exposed ductwork.

Students Engaging with Energy Experts

How do schools participating in the Renew Our Schools competition earn points? One way: Meet with an Energy Advisor with Focus on Energy.
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Five diverse students stand in a school hallway with arms crossed, smiling at the camera, wearing casual outfits: hoodie, denim, plaid, stripes.
Get Involved Today

Join the Next Competition!

Fall 2026

  • Enrollment deadline: Friday, September 18, 2026
  • Competition: October 26 - December 4, 2026

Spring 2027

  • Enrollment deadline: Friday, January 15, 2027
  • Competition: February 22- April 2, 2027
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