An article written by Nazim Muradov, a principal research scientist at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center, was recently identified by Thomson Reuters’ Essential Science Indicators SM as one of the most cited papers in the research area of “Hydrogen Economy.”
Q&A with Nazim Muradov
Muradov’s highly cited article, “From hydrocarbon to hydrogen-carbon to hydrogen economy,” published in the “International Journal of Hydrogen Energy” in March 2005, is now featured as a Fast Moving Front paper in the field of engineering on Thomson Reuters’ ScienceWatch® Web site: http://sciencewatch.com/sciencewatch/dr/fmf/2009/09mayfmf/09mayfmfMura/.
The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) hosted an alternative fuels workshop on October 3, 2008, as part of the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Odyssey Day.
The National AFV Odyssey Day is a nationwide event that was held in 90 different locations throughout the U.S. this year. Coordinated by the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Training Consortium (NAFTC) in a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Clean Cities Program, the goal of this national program is to promote the awareness and use of AFVs, as well as promote energy conservation and independence for the U.S.
The Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition, a Florida chapter of the (DOE) Clean Cities Program, coordinated and organized the Advancing the Choice alternative fuel workshop, locally, as part of this national event.
Attendees view a presentation on biodiesel.
More than 75 students, educators, government officials and fleet managers were on hand to receive valuable tips on biodiesel production, learn about the benefits of alternative fuels, and view the several hybrid-electric and General Motors ethanol vehicles that were on display. After an introduction by Bill Young, a senior solar energy research engineer at FSEC and host of the event, the day began with a biodiesel production demonstration by Amber Station.
A number of real-world success stories were presented throughout the day from a variety of different organizations. John Parker, from Orange County Government discussed the use of biodiesel within their fleet of diesel vehicles, and the success using alternative fuels has brought them in meeting the county’s clean air goals.
David Winslow, the senior director of engineering and environmental sustainability technical services for Universal Studios, pointed out the use of biodiesel fuel in every diesel vehicle throughout the theme park. This includes the resort water taxis and the 50-plus ground-based vehicles already running on the B20 blend – 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel fuel – as well as the engines used to run the theme park ride, Jaws.
The overalll public health benefits of using alternative fuels was presented at The American Lung Association’s exhibit.
About National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) is a national leader in promoting programs and activities that will lead to energy independence and the greater use of cleaner transportation in the U.S. The NAFTC is the only nationwide alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) and advanced technology vehicle training organization in the nation. Their mission is to provide the training infrastructure for implementing widespread use of alternative fuels, AFVs and advanced technology vehicles to increase our nation’s energy security and improve our air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our transportation system.
On Friday, July 13, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed three executive orders that will move Florida from “business as usual” to a national leadership position in renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction.
The first executive order (#07-126) [Adobe Acrobat PDF 20kb] requires state government agencies to “walk the walk.” Among other things, it requires that green house gasses (GHG) resulting from state operations be reduced by 10% in the next 4 years and then consistently over time to 40% below current levels by 2025. It establishes the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program and ENERGY STAR buildings standards as the new “standard practice” for state facilities. It also directs the establishment of vehicle emissions “baseline” for the government’s state-owned vehicle fleet and then, for new vehicles, the purchase of “only those vehicles with the greatest fuel efficiency in a given class.”
The second order (#07-127) [Adobe Acrobat PDF 23kb] establishes state-wide GHG emission targets. The Order set targets of reaching 2000 levels by 2017 and 1990 levels by 2025. The ultimate goal is to reduce 1990 levels by 80% by 2050. Among other things, this Order directs adoption of maximum allowable GHG emissions by utilities and adoption of the California motor vehicle emission standards. It also directs the Department of Community Affairs to increase the energy performance of new buildings by 15% through the Florida Building Code. Additionally, this order requests the Florida Public Service Commission to initiate rulemaking by September 1, 2007, to require Florida utilities to “produce at least 20% of their electricity from renewable sources (Renewable Portfolio Standard) with a strong focus on solar and wind energy.” The order also requests adoption of IEEE Standard 1547 for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems as the statewide standard for utility interconnection and the adoption of net metering on a state-wide basis.
Order number three (#07-128) [Adobe Acrobat PDF 17kb] creates the “Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change to develop a comprehensive Energy and Climate Change Action Plan that will fully achieve or surpass Executive Order targets for statewide greenhouse gas reductions specified in Executive Order 07-127.” The Governor will appoint the members of this Action Team and it will be staffed and supported by agencies under his direction, specifically the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Transportation. The resulting Action Plan is to be completed in two phases, with Phase I completed by November 1, 2007 and Phase II completed by October 1, 2008.
In addition, the Governor also signed international agreements with the United Kingdom [Adobe Acrobat PDF 155kb] and the Federal Republic of Germany [Adobe Acrobat PDF 125kb]. Florida joins each nation in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and calls for immediate worldwide action. Florida hopes to strengthen ties with each country while improving upon the science and technologies used for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving public policies and overall increasing climate-friendly commerce between Florida, the United Kingdom and Germany.
