Haines City High School celebrates new 10,000 watt solar electric system with ribbon cutting and solar workshop for teachers. (From left to right, Mike Vergona, Vergona-Bowersox Electric Inc.; Caroline Weaver, Polk County Energy Manager; Peter DeNapoli, Solar World Eastern Region Manager; Patricia Butler, Haines City High School Principal; Stephen Scheloske, Haines City High School Assistant Principal ; Sherri Shields, FSEC Communications; Susan Schleith, FSEC SunSmart E-Shelter Program Manager.

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida (UCF), held a dedication ceremony and solar workshop for teachers to celebrate the installation of the 42-panel PV system at Haines City High School on Wednesday, May 15th. Coordinated by UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center, the system, valued at $85,000, is the 85th PV system installed through the SunSmart Schools Emergency Shelter Program.

In conjunction with the dedication, a professional development workshop gave teachers from Haines City High School, Poinciana Academy of Fine Arts in Osceola County, Bloomingdale High School in Hillsborough County and Montessori World School in Orange County an opportunity to experience hands-on solar activities, showcasing the FSEC curriculum and a companion renewable energy kit. More than 250 teachers have participated in similar workshops, impacting more than 50,000 students statewide.

Teachers participate in a hands-on professional development solar workshop (From left to right: Broderic Ogzewalla, Robin Anderson, and Britton Bouey from Haines City High School, and Raf Baksh from Bloomingdale High School).

Not only does the PV system reduce electricity costs by up to $1,500 a year and serve as a generator when a power outage occurs, the system also reports performance data to FSEC; the data will be available on energywhiz.com in June. This site will allow students and teachers to analyze PV system performance data to better understand how the technology works. “We hope we never have to use the system as a generator, and we’re excited about the hand-on learning application for our students and teachers. Being able to see the real-time data that our system produces will be a tremendous resource,” said Stephen Scheloske, assistant principal at Haines City High School.

The success of the program is largely due to strong partnerships between the U.S. Department of Energy, the State of Florida, UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center, school districts, the Florida solar industry, and utilities. The E-Shelter Program’s initial $10 million in funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy, through the State of Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. As the program gained momentum, however, utility partners – Progress Energy (now Duke Energy) and Tampa Electric (TECO) provided an additional $2 million in funding to expand the program and equip additional schools with PV systems. A total of 105 bi-modal PV systems in 46 school districts are now installed in Florida.

“Certain aspects of the program presented brand new challenges. Installing photovoltaics on schools is not a new concept, but adding batteries is,” said SunSmart Program Manager Susan Schleith.  The battery component increased the complexity of the installations significantly. An unprecedented number of tradespeople were involved to make the program a success.  It is estimated that more than 60 different companies in Florida were involved in some aspect of this program.  “We all should be proud of this accomplishment that will benefit Florida now and for generations to come,” added Schleith.

For more information about the SunSmart E-Shelter Program, contact Susan T. Schleith at (321) 638–1017 or susan@fsec.ucf.edu.

###

50 Years of Achievement: The University of Central Florida, the nation’s second-largest university with nearly 60,000 students, is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2013. UCF has grown in size, quality, diversity and reputation, and today the university offers more than 200 degree programs at its main campus in Orlando and more than a dozen other locations. Known as America’s leading partnership university, UCF is an economic engine attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s success now and into the future. For more information, visit http://today.ucf.edu.

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Cocoa Mayor Henry Parrish III welcomes crowd to EnergyWhiz Olympics.

The daylong event started out cloudy and posed challenges to the solar-dependent competitions, especially the Bright House Solar Energy Cook-off and the Junior Solar Sprint (solar-powered model car) teams. Although weather conditions were less than ideal, the sun managed to peek through the clouds and provide just enough energy for the teams to get through the solar competitions. And although Energy Innovations, a full-scale solar electric design and marketing challenge, depend on the sun for their complete product demonstration, teams also created marketing pieces—such as brochures, fliers, and posters—to promote their product.

Judges discuss Energy Innovations project, "Sunfisher," with Edgewood Jr/Sr High team.

Fortunately, the rain held off until later in the day, allowing the Battery Assisted Transport (B.A.T.) Mobile, model-size electric cars, and the Electrathon, go-cart size electric cars, to compete without incident.

The Hydrogen Challenge, located indoors, attracted a large audience as students demonstrated their understanding of energy transfers through a custom-built Rube Goldberg-type apparatus. “The phenomenally creative and intricate contraptions were a challenge to judge,” said Eric Hoepnner, former middle school science teacher. Built with a hydrogen fuel cell in one of the steps, the timed machines were judged on accuracy, innovation, complexity, technical sophistication, and their use of fuel cell technology. Nearly doubling in size from last year, this event is expected to have even more participants next year. “There’s a huge coolness factor with this event,” Hoeppner added.

Students race their B.A.T. Mobiles

These hands-on renewable energy competitions expose students to alternative energy fuel sources and encourage scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation and teamwork.

Susan Schleith, energy education director at FSEC says, “As our event continues to grow each year, my goal is to establish regional events around the state, with the ultimate competition taking place at FSEC. This would allow even more students to participate, and create a broadened awareness statewide. Tight school budgets and travel costs provide challenges that some student teams just can’t overcome.”

This year’s winners are:

B.A.T. (Battery Assisted Transport) Mobile Challenge

1^st Place Race:  Race Girls, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Race:  Millennium Panther, Lewis E. Wadsworth Elementary, Palm Coast

3^rd Place Race:  Salt & Pepper, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

1^st Place Design :  Race Girls, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Design:  Millennium Panther, Lewis E. Wadsworth Elementary, Palm Coast

3^rd Place Design:  The Anaxagoras, Montessori World Academy, Orlando

Energy Innovations

Middle Division

1^st Place Design:  Sunny Circus Snacks, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Design:  Urban Garden, Howard Middle, Orlando

3^rd Place Design:  Cooking Device, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

High School Division

1^st Place Design:  The Sunfisher, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Design:  Suk-A-Poop, Island Coast High, Cape Coral

3^rd Place Design:  Solar Bike, Dunbar High, Fort Myers

All Divisions

WOW! Award:  The Sunfisher, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

Hydrogen Challenge

Middle Division

1^st Place:  The Flying Fish, Stewart Middle, Tampa

2^nd Place:  The Kit Kats, Lake Nona Middle, Orlando

3^rd Place:  Child’s Play, Gifford Middle, Vero Beach

Most Accurate:  N.E.R.D.S. – New Energy Regeneration Device, Gulf Coast Academy, Spring Hill

High School Division

1^st Place:  Tiger Engineering, Dunbar High, Fort Myers

2^nd Place:  The Domino Theory, Edgewood Jr/ Sr High, Merritt Island

3^rd Place:  Race Girls, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

Most Accurate:  Race Girls, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

All Divisions

WOW! Award:  The Flying Fish, Stewart Middle, Tampa

Junior Solar Sprint

Elementary Division    

1^st Place Race:  The Silver Streak, Pine View School, Osprey

2^nd Place Race:  The Mock Five, Triangle Math & Science, Raleigh, NC

3^rd Place Race:  Solar Surfers, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

Middle Division

1^st Place Race:  Vibot 3, McLane Middle, Brandon

2^nd Place Race:  OLL Rockets, Our Lake of Lourdes Catholic, Melbourne

3^rd Place Race:  Vibot 2, McLane Middle, Brandon

Overall Awards

1^st Place Design:  Vibot 1, Brandon Engineering Academy, Brandon

2^nd Place Design:  Solar Surfers, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

3^rd Place Design:  Shorthorn Strikers, Harmony Community School, Harmony

1^st Place Most Innovative:  Pride All Stars, Lake Nona Middle, Orlando

2^nd Place Most Innovative:  Solar Racers, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic, Melbourne

3^rd Place Most Innovative:  Vibot 3, McLane Middle, Brandon

Brighthouse Solar Energy Cook-Off

Elementary Division

1^st Place Design:  May The 4^th Be With You, Lawton Chiles Elementary, Tampa

2^nd Place Design:  Sunny Sisters, St. Martha Catholic, Sarasota

3^rd Place Design:  Team Nemo, Martinez Middle, Lutz

1^st Place Culinary:  Solar Buddies, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

2^nd Place Culinary:  Something’s Fishy, Gardendale Elementary, Merritt Island

3^rd Place Culinary:  The Solar Flares, Ocean Breeze Elementary, Indian Harbor Beach

WOW! Award:  Seuss Chefs, Lewis Carroll Elementary, Merritt Island

Middle Division

1^st Place Design:  Milwee 1, Milwee Middle, Longwood

2^nd Place Design:  Spectrum, L.A. Ainger Middle, Rotonda West

3^rd Place Design:  The Neon Narwhals, Stewart Middle, Tampa

1^st Place Culinary:  G.E.M.S., Girl Scout Troop 30027, Stuart

2^nd Place Culinary:  The Hobbit Party, L.A. Ainger, Rotonda West

3^rd Place Culinary:  Milwee 2, Milwee Middle, Longwood

WOW! Award:  Solar Sorcerers, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

High School Division

1^st Place Design:  Solar Tree Café, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Design:  UV Gators, Island Coast High, Cape Coral

3^rd Place Design:  Tiger Engineering, Dunbar High, Fort Myers

1^st Place Culinary:  Solar Tree Café, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island High

2^nd Place Culinary:  Solar Apes 1, Pine Ridge High, Deltona

3^rd Place Culinary:  Solar Burst, T.DeWitt Taylor, Pierson

WOW! Award:  UV Gators, Island Coast High, Cape Coral

For more information, visit

http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/education/k-12/energywhiz_olympics/index.htm, or watch a video about the EnergyWhiz Olympics at http://vimeo.com/9522310.

CONTACTS:

Susan Schleith, Director Energy Education, 321-638-1017 or susan@fsec.ucf.edu

Sherri Shields, Asst. Director Communications, 321-638-1019 or sherri@fsec.ucf.edu

About FSEC: The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating, and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 59,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu.

####

PR13-02

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B.A.T. (Battery Assisted Transport) Mobile Challenge

1^st Place Race:  Race Girls, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Race:  Millennium Panther, Lewis E. Wadsworth Elementary, Palm Coast

3^rd Place Race:  Salt & Pepper, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

1^st Place Design :  Race Girls, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Design:  Millennium Panther, Lewis E. Wadsworth Elementary, Palm Coast

3^rd Place Design:  The Anaxagoras, Montessori World Academy, Orlando

Energy Innovations

Middle Division

1^st Place Design:  Sunny Circus Snacks, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Design:  Urban Garden, Howard Middle, Orlando

3^rd Place Design:   Cooking Device, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

High School Division

1^st Place Design:  The Sunfisher, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Design:  Suk-A-Poop, Island Coast High, Cape Coral

3^rd Place Design:  Solar Bike, Dunbar High, Fort Myers

All Divisions

WOW! Award:  The Sunfisher, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

Hydrogen Challenge

Middle Division

1^st Place:   The Flying Fish, Stewart Middle, Tampa

2^nd Place:  The Kit Kats, Lake Nona Middle, Orlando

3^rd Place:  Child’s Play, Gifford Middle, Vero Beach

Most Accurate:  N.E.R.D.S. – New Energy Regeneration Device, Gulf Coast Academy, Spring Hill

High School Division

1^st Place:  Tiger Engineering, Dunbar High, Fort Myers

2^nd Place:  The Domino Theory, Edgewood Jr/ Sr High, Merritt Island

3^rd Place:  Race Girls, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

Most Accurate :  Race Girls, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

All Divisions

WOW! Award:  The Flying Fish, Stewart Middle, Tampa

Junior Solar Sprint

Elementary Division    

1^st Place Race:  The Silver Streak, Pine View School, Osprey

2^nd Place Race:  The Mock Five, Triangle Math & Science, Raleigh, North Carolina

3^rd Place Race:  Solar Surfers, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

Middle Division

1^st Place Race:  Vibot 3, McLane Middle, Brandon

2^nd Place Race:  OLL Rockets, Our Lake of Lourdes Catholic, Melbourne

3^rd Place Race:  Vibot 2, McLane Middle, Brandon

Overall Awards

1^st Place Design:  Vibot 1, Brandon Engineering Academy, Brandon

2^nd Place Design:  Solar Surfers, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

3^rd Place Design:  Shorthorn Strikers, Harmony Community School, Harmony

1^st Place Most Innovative:  Pride All Stars, Lake Nona Middle, Orlando

2^nd Place Most Innovative:  Solar Racers, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic, Melbourne

3^rd Place Most Innovative:  Vibot 3, McLane Middle, Brandon

Brighthouse Solar Energy Cook-Off

Elementary Division

1^st Place Design:  May The 4^th Be With You, Lawton Chiles Elementary, Tampa

2^nd Place Design:  Sunny Sisters, St. Martha Catholic, Sarasota

3^rd Place Design:  Team Nemo, Martinez Middle, Lutz

1^st Place Culinary:  Solar Buddies, Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City

2^nd Place Culinary:  Something’s Fishy, Gardendale Elementary, Merritt Island

3^rd Place Culinary:  The Solar Flares, Ocean Breeze Elementary,
Indian Harbor Beach

WOW! Award:  Seuss Chefs, Lewis Carroll Elementary, Merritt Island

Middle Division

1^st Place Design:  Milwee 1, Milwee Middle, Longwood

2^nd Place Design:  Spectrum, L.A. Ainger Middle, Rotonda West

3^rd Place Design:  The Neon Narwhals, Stewart Middle, Tampa

1^st Place Culinary:  G.E.M.S., Girl Scout Troop 30027, Stuart

2^nd Place Culinary:  The Hobbit Party, L.A. Ainger, Rotonda West

3^rd Place Culinary:  Milwee 2, Milwee Middle, Longwood

WOW! Award:  Solar Sorcerers, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

High School Division

1^st Place Design:  Solar Tree Café, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

2^nd Place Design:  UV Gators, Island Coast High, Cape Coral

3^rd Place Design:  Tiger Engineering, Dunbar High, Fort Myers

1^st Place Culinary:  Solar Tree Café, Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island High

2^nd Place Culinary:  Solar Apes 1, Pine Ridge High, Deltona

3^rd Place Culinary:  Solar Burst, T.DeWitt Taylor, Pierson

WOW! Award:  UV Gators, Island Coast High, Cape Coral

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COCOA, FL – More than 650 elementary, middle and high school students—from across Florida—will show off their Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) skills at the 11^th annual EnergyWhiz Olympics on Saturday, May 4^th in Cocoa.

The EnergyWhiz Olympics is a daylong event showcasing student-built projects in solar and hydrogen. These hands-on renewable energy competitions expose students to alternative energy fuel sources and encourage scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation and teamwork.

The public is invited to attend free of charge. The event is located on Brevard Community College’s Cocoa Campus, at UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Road. Competitions are from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with an awards ceremony following.

Activities include:

• The Energy Innovations program (10:00 a.m.) is a full-scale solar electric design and marketing challenge for middle and high school students. Each participating team designs and constructs a product or artistic work fully powered by photovoltaics (PV), also called solar electric cells. In addition, teams create marketing pieces—such as brochures, fliers, and posters—to accompany their products.
• The Hydrogen Challenge (10:30 a.m.) for students in grades 6 through 12, provide opportunities for student teams to explore hydrogen through hands-on engineering. Students demonstrate an understanding of hydrogen through a creative timing apparatus built with several Rube Goldberg-type steps.
• The Battery Assisted Transport (BAT) Mobile (11:00 a.m.) challenges students in grades 6 through 8, to build and race model-sized electric cars. The race tests the creative engineering skills of students as they gain hands-on experience in the automotive design process. This event is a component of the Department of Energy’s Middle School Science Bowl.

• The Junior Solar Sprint (11:30 a.m.) is a competition that challenges middle-school students to design, build and race model solar cars. Awards are given based on vehicle design, quality of craftsmanship, innovation and vehicle speed.
• The Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff (1:00 p.m.) challenges students in grades 4 through 12 to design and build solar cookers and cook a recipe of their own creation using the power of the sun.  In Top Chef-style, each dish will be judged by a panel of experts based on taste, ingredients and creativity.
• The Electrathon (10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) is a competition for high school students and older. The go-cart-type vehicles, powered by an electric motor and batteries, must be skillfully designed, built and driven to maximize distance traveled within a given time limit.
• In addition, Food Truck Crazy will be on site with 10 different food trucks
  (11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.).

For more information, visit

http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/education/k-12/energywhiz_olympics/index.htm, or watch a video about the EnergyWhiz Olympics at http://vimeo.com/9522310.

CONTACT:

Susan Schleith, FSEC Education Coordinator, 321-638-1017 or susan@fsec.ucf.edu

Sherri Shields, Asst. Director Communications, 321-638-1019 or sherri@fsec.ucf.edu

Note: photographs from previous years events available upon request.

About FSEC: The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating, and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 59,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu.

####

PR13-01-R1

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UL has issued a public notice regarding the counterfeit products, and information enabling identification of the affected panels is available in the Public Notices portion of the UL website, or may be accessed via the following link to the notice: UL warns of counterfeit UL Mark on photovoltaic panels (Release 13PN-20).

Please note that ASP issued a recall for these mislabeled photovoltaic products, with details regarding inspection and replacement accessible via the following link: Advanced Solar Photonics Announces Product Recall of PV Modules for Code Compliance.

The Florida Attorney General’s Office is equipped to receive complaints regarding the ASP/Bluechip Energy products directly from consumers, with protocols in place to investigate consumer fraud. Complaints may be filed via a “Quick Link” on the Attorney General website homepage, or accessed and submitted electronically via the Citizen Services Contact Form via the following link: Citizen Services Contact Form.

Please direct all complaints and investigative inquiries to the Florida Attorney General’s Office

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More than 650 elementary, middle and high school students—from across Florida—will show off their Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) skills at the 11th annual EnergyWhiz Olympics on Saturday, May 4th in Cocoa.

The EnergyWhiz Olympics is a daylong event showcasing student-built projects in solar and hydrogen. These hands-on renewable energy competitions expose students to alternative energy fuel sources and encourage scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation and teamwork.

The public is invited to attend free of charge. The event is located on Brevard Community College’s Cocoa Campus, at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Road. Competitions are from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with an awards ceremony following.

Activities include:

• The Energy Innovations program (10:00 a.m.) is a full-scale solar electric design and marketing challenge for middle and high school students. Each participating team designs and constructs a product or artistic work fully powered by photovoltaics (PV), also called solar electric cells. In addition, teams create marketing pieces—such as brochures, fliers, and posters—to accompany their products.
• The Hydrogen Challenge (10:30 a.m.) for students in grades 6 through 12, provide opportunities for student teams to explore hydrogen through hands-on engineering. Students demonstrate an understanding of hydrogen through a creative timing apparatus built with several Rube Goldberg-type steps.
• The Battery Assisted Transport (BAT) Mobile (11:00 a.m.) challenges students in grades 6 through 8, to build and race model-sized electric cars. The race tests the creative engineering skills of students as they gain hands-on experience in the automotive design process. This event is a component of the Department of Energy’s Middle School Science Bowl.
• The Junior Solar Sprint (11:30 a.m.) is a competition that challenges middle-school students to design, build and race model solar cars. Awards are given based on vehicle design, quality of craftsmanship, innovation and vehicle speed.
• The Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff (1:00 p.m.) challenges students in grades 4 through 12 to design and build solar cookers and cook a recipe of their own creation using the power of the sun. In Top Chef-style, each dish will be judged by a panel of experts based on taste, ingredients and creativity.
• The Electrathon (10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) is a competition for high school students and older. The go-cart-type vehicles, powered by an electric motor and batteries, must be skillfully designed, built and driven to maximize distance traveled within a given time limit.
• In addition, Food Truck Bazaar will be on site with 10 different food trucks (11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.).

For more information, visit
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/education/k-12/energywhiz_olympics/index.htm, or watch a video about the EnergyWhiz Olympics at http://vimeo.com/9522310.

CONTACT:
Susan Schleith, FSEC Education Coordinator, 321-638-1017 or susan@fsec.ucf.edu
Sherri Shields, Asst. Director Communications, 321-638-1019 or sherri@fsec.ucf.edu

Note: photographs from previous years events available upon request.

About FSEC: The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating, and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 58,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu.

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The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is seeking 30 homes in Brevard County and up to 30 from Dade or Broward counties to participate in an energy-retrofit study.  Those selected will benefit from the installation of energy-saving devices worth at least $1,500.

An energy audit will be performed on homes selected for the retrofit study.

A limited number of homes may qualify for a more extensive retrofit remodel worth $10,000 to $15,000.

Eligible participants are FPL customers in single-family, detached residences with only one electrical breaker panel, a single central air-conditioning system, electric space and water heating, and Internet service with a home Wi-Fi network.  Homes must be owner-occupied year-round and have been lived in for at least one year.  Preference will be given to homes built prior to the year 2000.

Those selected for the study, which begins this month, can expect the installation of such cost-saving items as: water heater blankets and pipe insulation, low-flow showerheads, CFL bulbs, and home and duct air sealing.

The FSEC research team will conduct an energy audit within each home.  Testing will examine airtightness, air pressure fields, air conditioner performance, duct leakage and air leakage pathways.  The research team will also measure energy use before and after the installed retrofits for 12 to 18 months.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Building America and Florida Power and Light, this project’s goal is to educate consumers about their energy use and expand retrofit programs throughout Florida and the U.S.

If you are interested in participating in this research project, visit http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/FPLretrofits or contact Jeremy Nelson at 407-243-8197 or jnelson@fsec.ucf.edu.

About FSEC
The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity
The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 58,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.

PR12-05

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Title of Presentation:
Urban Energy Services through Stand-Alone Renewable Energy Systems

Speaker:
Dr. Priyadarshini Karve

Abstract:
Generally in the developing countries, stand alone renewable energy systems are associated with electricity generation for rural areas. However, many such systems have failed due to a variety of reasons. An assessment of the failures indicates several reasons, such as lack of technical expertise for operating the systems, difficulties in servicing and maintenance, mismatch between energy services available and energy services required, social, economic, political constraints, etc. Most of these problems would be avoided if the stand alone systems were based in urban areas. Furthermore, no government subsidy or grant will be necessary, as even normal banks can provide finance due to the relatively better creditworthiness of the urban proponents. To some extent the successful introduction of systems, such as solar water heaters in urban areas, is already pointing in this direction.

A scheme based on kitchen waste to energy is proposed in this context, based on a combination of technologies developed by Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI). The business model is being refined at Samuchit Enviro Tech Pvt Ltd, and will be spun off as a new business venture in the name of Earthen Life.

A cluster of houses or an educational or business campus generates substantial quantity of kitchen waste. This can be converted into biogas, which can be used for any thermal application within the cluster itself. The effluent from the biogas plant will be used as liquid organic fertilizer for cultivation of organic vegetables within the cluster. The system will be operated by traditional waste pickers, thereby creating a modern livelihood opportunity for them.

The scheme, the technological details, and the economics will be described in the talk.

When:
Monday, May 21, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.

Where:
Florida Solar Energy Center, Auditorium
1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, FL 32922
321-638-1000

About Dr. Priyadarshini Karve, Ph.D.:
Dr. Karve completed her Ph.D. in Physics from University of Pune, in 1998. During 1997-99, she conducted a research project for Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI), under funding from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The project resulted in development of an experimental prototype of an oven and retort type charring kiln for converting agricultural waste into charcoal. The technology went on to win ARTI the Ashden Award for Renewable Energy in 2002. From 1999 to 2005, Dr. Karve taught Applied Physics in different engineering colleges in Pune, while continuing her association with ARTI in an honorary capacity. In this period, she worked as the Secretary of the Organizing Committee of the International Conference on Improved Biomass Fuels and Cooking Devices (BFCS-2000), organized by ARTI at Pune in 2000. Also, from 2003 to 2010, she worked as Project Co-ordinator with ARTI, on a project entitled Commercialisation of Improved Biomass Fuels and Cooking Devices in India, and funded by various agencies over its duration. The project was fairly successful and resulted into the establishment of Samuchit Enviro-Tech (SET) Pvt. Ltd., to handle the business aspect of the scale-up project. Dr. Karve continues to be an active member of ARTI, and also works as Director of SET. The scope of SET now includes providing products and services for a variety of sustainable initiatives of households and business houses, in India and other developing countries. Dr. Karve is ARTI’s representative member in Nexus Carbon for Development, which is a Singapore-based alliance of NGOs and social enterprises engaged in bringing carbon finance money into pro-poor projects. For the period 2010 to 2013, she is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nexus. She is also involved in teaching courses based on sustainable development and climate change as visiting faculty in some of the educational institutes in and around Pune, India.

For More Information:
For additional information, please contact Susan at 321-638-1017 or susan@fsec.ucf.edu.

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Nazim Muradov, right, accepts award from UCF's Vice President of Research and Commercialization, M.J. Soileau.

COCOA, May 15, 2012 – A researcher who has developed a novel method that uses sponge-like carbon particles to clean up oil spills in water and among some other exciting work at UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has received one of UCF’s highest honors.

Nazim Muradov, a researcher at FSEC since 1990, recently received the UCF Institute and Centers Award for Excellence in Research.

Aside from the promising sponge-like carbon clean up method, Muradov also developed a novel high-energy density seawater-based hydrogen generator that can be used to propel Navy’s unmanned undersea vehicles.

“I am honored to receive this award because it underscores the high value and impact of research work conducted at FSEC,” states Muradov.

Muradov received a plaque and kudos from his peers during UCF’s annual Founders’ Day Honors Convocation. Only the best faculty and students are recognized during the event, which was held April 4 at the Orlando campus.

With more than 30 years of experience in hydrogen energy research, Muradov also developed a new method for production of hydrogen and nanostructured carbon materials from methane and other hydrocarbons. He has authored and co-authored more than 200 publications, including a book and several book chapters, and he has been granted 41 patents.

In addition to this year’s award, Muradov received the honorary title of International Association for Hydrogen Energy Fellow in 2010 and the UCF Research Incentive Award in 2003. He was presented the UCF Distinguished Researcher of the Year Award for Institutes and Centers in 1996.

Regarding future research endeavors, Muradov says he would like to contribute to the development of carbon-neutral energy systems. “Many existing challenges, such as insecure energy supply and the adverse environmental impact of fossil fuels, can be solved in conjunction with the development and implementation of these systems,” explains Muradov.

About FSEC
The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity
The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 58,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.

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PR12-04

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Eligible participants are homes that were permitted and built after March 2009, have 1500-2300 square feet of living area, and are owner-occupied year-round.

The FSEC research team will conduct an energy audit within each home and monitor energy use for approximately a three-month period.  Testing will examine house airtightness, air conditioner performance and duct leakage.  The FSEC research team will also collect the previous year’s energy bills.

If you are interested in participating in this research project, please visit http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/CodeResearch or contact Jeremy Nelson at 407-243-8197 or jnelson@fsec.ucf.edu by May 31, 2012.

PR12-03

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