| Issue No. 12: August 2007 |
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FSEC IN THE NEWS
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Florida Could Be Bold and Take Leadership in Transportation
Florida has positioned itself for leadership by taking steps to improve the state’s energy policies as well as energy use and efficiency with Governor Crist’s recent Climate Change Summit and Executive Orders. I was pleased to participate in panels at the Summit, discussing solar energy and energy efficiency. Also attending the Summit were Philip Fairey, FSEC Deputy Director and Bob Reedy, Director of the Solar Energy Division. The excitement and enthusiasm for what the Governor was doing ran throughout the meeting. FEATURE STORIES Governor Crist Moves Florida Toward Emissions Reduction On Friday July 13, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed three executive orders that will move Florida to a national leadership position in renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction.
Building America Program Honors Two Florida Builders
When two Gainesville homebuilders were honored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in April for their commitment to building energy-efficient homes, it was also public recognition of FSEC, since the Center has led the Building America team that works with these builders since 1999.
New Hydrogen Research Contract Develops Process for Screening Storage Materials FSEC researchers have been working on hydrogen storage compounds for a number of years, looking at their properties such as capacity, temperature at which hydrogen will be released and so forth. Since there are a large number of possible material combinations that can store hydrogen, it is important to be able to screen and test these materials quickly. Thanks to the support of the Navy, which is very interested in the use of hydrogen, the project will develop a new device for testing as many as 100 potential hydrogen storage materials or more in just a few minutes.
Solar Energy! Hydrogen Energy! Kid Energy!
The EnergyWhiz Olympics at Florida Solar Energy Center/University of Central Florida is focused on ENERGY! When the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) opened its doors on the morning of May 12, energy was buzzing throughout the building and spilling out onto the campus. More than 300 students and teachers, plus parents, friends and other family members, were anxious for the games to begin. Students from elementary through high school took part in the alternative fuel competitions, which included solar car races, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle races and a photovoltaic design competition called “Energy Innovations.”
The word "green" no longer just describes a color but has come to represent an energy efficient way of life. Apparently the times are a changin' – more and more people are making their homes green and now the first green-certified Habitat for Humanity (HFH) home in the state is in Indian River County. |
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This newsletter has been produced by Kenneth Sheinkopf, Sherri Shields, Adrienne Henzmann, Shannon Ginn and Dianne Wood. All photos were taken by Nick Waters, unless otherwise noted. |
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