FSEC Director to Brief Auto Makers on Fuel Cell Technology

Sherri Shields Press Release , ,

COCOA, Dec. 4, 2006 — Florida Solar Energy Center Director Jim Fenton will discuss fuel cells, a promising technique for future energy-efficient vehicles, with the nations leading automakers during a meeting Wednesday, Dec. 6, in Detroit.

As gas price spikes have hit Americans hard in their pocketbooks, talk is increasing over the need for alternative-fueled vehicles to reduce U.S. dependence on expensive oil. Research and design efforts in recent years have made significant progress toward meeting the performance and cost criteria to make fuel cells practical.

At the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, Fenton will speak to the United States Council of Automotive Research (USCAR), the umbrella organization that coordinates research for DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors. The meeting will focus on technologies and applications for America’s future cars and trucks, and it will help to determine the priorities for Department of Energy research programs for the coming year. Read more

Edgewood Junior-Senior High Fuel Cell Team Successful

Sherri Shields Awards, Press Release , , , ,

Four students from Edgewood Junior-Senior High School in Merritt Island recently represented the United States at the International Youth Fuel Cell Competition in Hawaii. They were one of only two teams representing the United States at the competition, which was held in conjunction with the 30th Anniversary Fuel Cell Seminar.

Florida Solar Energy Center/University of Central Florida (FSEC/UCF) faculty and staff helped to mentor the team, which includes students Michael Granatosky, Melissa Ingram, Martin Moneysmith and Taylor Munsey and instructor Ryan Cilsick.

The team received received the Ovonics Special Award for the Most Insight into the Future of Hydrogen Storage. They were also first-place Winners of the Quiz Bowl and received first place in Car Engineering. They placed second in the Timepiece Artistic competition and were second to the Japanese team in the race of the hydrogen model cars. Read more

Florida Solar Energy Center to Host National Solar Tour – Hydrogen Car to be on Display

Sherri Shields Press Release , , ,

The Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa will offer public tours Friday, Oct. 6, as part of the National Solar Tour sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society.

Tours have been scheduled on the hour from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the University of Central Florida research institute at 1679 Clearlake Road. FSEC is on the Cocoacampus that is shared by UCF and Brevard Community College. Read more

FSEC Advises Residents on Energy-Efficient Purchases During Tax-Free Week

Sherri Shields Press Release , , ,

Florida residents can save money on energy-efficient appliances and other products during a tax-free holiday from Oct. 5 to 11, and advice from Florida Solar Energy Center researchers can help residents make purchases that will cut their energy bills.

The sales-tax holiday coincides with Energy Efficient Week and applies to new products with the “Energy Star” label that cost $1,500 or less. Residents will save money long after they receive the tax break because they will use less energy throughout the life of the products.

The Gossamer Wind series ceiling fans, developed at the Florida Solar Energy Center at the University of Central Florida, are among the products that qualify for the tax savings. New refrigerators, washers and programmable thermostats also are eligible. Read more

Applications Now Open for the 2006 Florida Energy Achievement Award

Sherri Shields Awards, Press Release , , ,

Applications are now being accepted for the 2006 “Florida Energy Achievement Award” that recognizes a company, organization or individual that has made a significant achievement in the efficient utilization of energy, energy conservation, energy education or renewable energy in the state of Florida.

The award is presented annually by the Florida Solar Energy Center to recognize statewide leadership in sustainable energy savings. The selected winner will have achieved significant results in energy efficiency, conservation, energy education or the use of renewable energy in their facility or program. Sarasota County Government received the first award that was presented in 2005. Read more