workshop – The Energy Chronicle

Teachers Learn A Life-Saving Skill: How to Build a Solar Cooker

Sherri Shields Energy News April 1, 2009Bright House, developing countries, EnergyWhiz Olympics, solar cooker, solar cooking, Solar Energy Cook-off, teachers, workshop 3 Comments

What does an umbrella, inner tube and mylar blanket have in common? They are all components of innovative solar cooker designs.

Seventeen teachers came to the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa this past Saturday, from as far away as Sarasota and Port St. Lucie, to learn how to build solar cookers.

Teachers learn how to construct solar cookers from everyday items such as an umbrella.

Working in teams, the teachers constructed five different solar cookers. Each design used common household items in creative ways, including an umbrella, inner tube, and plant stand, to name just a few. Armed with new information, strategies and inspiration, these teachers will work with their students to build a variety of solar cookers. The student-designed and built cookers will be on display at the Bright House Solar Energy Cook-off at FSEC’s EnergyWhiz Olympics on May 9. In Top Chef style, student teams will also submit a food cooked in their solar cooker to be judged by a panel of experts.
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FSEC to Host Workshop for National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day

Sherri Shields Press Release September 11, 2008AFV, alternative fuel vehicle, alternative fuel workshop, biodiesel, Department of Energy, DOE, fuel, fueling station, industry, manufacturers, Space Coast Clean Cities, workshop 1 Comment

Cocoa, FL – The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) will host an alternative fuel 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 being held in 86 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 (DOE) 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 U.S. DOE Clean Cities Program, has coordinated and organized the Advancing the Choice alternative fuel workshop locally as part of this national event. The workshop will feature presentations and discussions about AFV ownership opportunities, biodiesel production, quality standards for fuel grade, utilizing biodiesel in current vehicles, and construction of biodiesel fueling stations. Guests will also be able to test drive AFVs and speak with auto manufacturers and industry experts at this event.

The workshop will run from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and the cost to attend is $10. Space is limited, so please register early at www.floridaenergycenter.org/go/afv4.

For more information about this workshop please contact FSEC researcher Bill Young at (321) 638-1443, or visit www.clean-cities.org.

Florida Solar Energy Center Offers Free Renewable Energy Workshops for Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Small Businesses

Sherri Shields Press Release May 12, 2005agricultural, energy efficiency, renewable energy, workshop

To help increase the number of Florida agricultural businesses that apply for nearly $30 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) will conduct workshops in Tallahassee (May 18) and Stuart (May 23). Since only a few Florida farmers or ranchers are taking advantage of these opportunities, FSEC received a grant through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Million Solar Roofs Program to develop and administer these workshops to Florida’s rural and agricultural communities. Read more

Workshop on Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel and Bio-Diesel Fuels set for FSEC

Sherri Shields Press Release March 23, 2005bio-diesel, Floida Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition, laternative fuel vehicle, ultra-low-sulfur diesel, workshop

“Understanding Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel and Bio-Diesel,” an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) training workshop, will be held at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa on Monday, April 18. The workshop will be hosted by the Florida Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition in conjunction with Traviss Technical Center. The U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Environmental Protection and the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium are program sponsors. Read more