Press Release

FSEC to Hold 30th Anniversary Open House

Sherri Shields Press Release ,

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 29, with an Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center in Cocoa.

The day’s events will feature several general interest presentations by FSEC staff on home energy-saving tips, information on tax incentives and rebates, ways to use solar energy for emergencies and disaster relief, and other information on renewable energy technologies, including an overview of hydrogen and fuel cells. There will also be informal chat sessions with researchers, a variety of videos on energy, tours around the center, displays of alternative-fueled vehicles, and many student activities including solar car demonstrations, solar cooking and entertainment.

The event is free and open to the public, so come out and bring your questions on energy to talk with the experts. The event will be held rain or shine. A full schedule of activities will be posted on the FSEC website at www.fsec.ucf.edu.

FSEC is located on the Cocoa campus of Brevard Community College/UCF at 1679 Clearlake Road.

The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research center in the country. Current research activities include solar water and pool heating, solar electric and distributed generation systems, energy-efficient buildings, alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel, fuel cells and other energy areas. For more information about the center, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at (321) 638-1015.

Fuel Cell Technology Course to be held at FSEC

Sherri Shields Press Release , , , , , ,

The 2006 Short Course on Fuel Cell Technology will be held at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa, Florida, February 5 – 8, 2006. This course will be presented by FSEC/University of Central Florida and is co-sponsored by Scribner Associates, Inc. and the Electrochemical Society.

This new course will cover both basic and applied aspects of fuel cell technology through integrated lecture and laboratory sessions. Lectures will discuss the theory of fuel cell operation and outline the principles behind state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques. Laboratory sessions will provide hands-on training of fuel cell testing and performance evaluation.

The course is designed for scientists and engineers working in or entering the fuel cell industry; employees of industries that have recently invested or plan to invest in fuel cell technology, and science and engineering gradute students interested in the technology. It will be valuable to anyone wishing to acquire a quick working knowledge of fuel cells.

For complete information on the course, including an agenda, instructors and fees, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu/fuelcellcourse or contact JoAnn at 321-638-1014 or  joann@fsec.ucf.edu.

The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research center in the country. Current research activities include solar water and pool heating, solar electric and distributed generation systems, energy-efficient buildings, alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel, fuel cells and other energy areas. For more information about the center, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

FSEC Updates Online Consumer Publication on Energy Efficient Transportation

Sherri Shields Press Release ,

As Hurricane Rita bears down on Texas and the Gulf Coast, drivers around the country are wondering what effect this latest storm will have on already high gas prices. The projected path of the storm takes it toward oil rigs, pipelines and refineries along the Gulf of Mexico, where about a fourth of the U.S. refining capacity is located.

It was just a few weeks ago when Hurricane Katrina’s devastating blow to Louisiana and nearby states sent gas prices above $3 in most of the country. While these prices have come down somewhat, we’re all still feeling “sticker shock” at the pump. Read more

FSEC Selected as a Middle School Science Bowl Site

Sherri Shields Press Release , , , , ,

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has been chosen as host of the Southeast Regional Middle School Science Bowl (previously known as the Florida Middle School Science Bowl) in April, 2006.

This regional competition is part of the national Middle School Science Bowl program, which is coordinated by the Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy. Finalists from the 28 regional science bowls around the country compete in the national finals.

The Science Bowl is a two-prong competition, involving an academic math and science question-and-answer portion along with a hands-on hydrogen fuel cell competition. The Southeast regional competition will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at the Florida Solar Energy Center. The first place team from each regional competition receives an expense-paid trip to the national competition in Colorado June 21-24, 2006. Florida teams have excelled at the national event, bringing home first and third place trophies in the past two years.

For more information about the Middle School Science Bowl, contact Susan Schleith at 321-638-1017 or email Susan@fsec.ucf.edu. More information about the National and Regional Science Bowl competitions is available at www.scied.science.doe.gov.

The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research center in the country. Current research activities include solar water and pool heating, solar electric and distributed generation systems, energy-efficient buildings, alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel, fuel cells and other energy areas. For more information about the center, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu or call the FSEC Pubic Information Office at (321) 638-1015.

Florida Solar Energy Center Launches Revamped Hydrogen Web Pages

Sherri Shields Press Release , , , , , , ,

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has launched new web pages for their hydrogen research and development program. The new pages include Hydrogen Basics: H2 Economy, H2 in Florida, Hydrogen Q&A; FSEC Research: Production, Storage, Utilization, Fuel Cells, Funded R&D, Analysis, Delivery, Detection/Safety, Patents; Education; Faculty and Staff; Capabilities and Facilities; Resources: Publications, Videos, Related Links, and a detailed Hydrogen Database. Read more