The PV trailer successfully charged each of KSC's Low Speed Electric Vehicles (LSEV), one at a time. These LSEVs support shuttle processing operations, launch pad modifications and everyday support requirements.

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) recently lent its photovoltaic (PV) generator trailer to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to power a Low Speed Electric Vehicle (LSEV) charging station on site. The fleet coordinator, Bruce Chesson, wanted to take energy efficiency and conservation at KSC one step further by adding a solar-powered charging station to the two existing stations, both already powered by electricity from the utility grid.

FSEC’s PV trailer is typically used to provide power for emergency operations during disaster relief, but KSC fleet officials wanted to determine if the LSEVs could be effectively powered by the 440-watt trailer system. These LSEVs support shuttle processing operations, launch pad modifications and everyday support requirements. FSECs stand-alone trailer PV system successfully charged each of the six LSEVs in the fleet, one at a time.

Although KSC already uses PV technology to power several systems around the site, it has never been used to support electric vehicle transportation. KSC would like to partner with local energy providers to construct similar charging stations around the  Space Center.

The event will be held in the FSEC auditorium at 1679 Clearlake Road in Cocoa, on the campus of Brevard Community College and UCF in Cocoa. The doors will be open at 5:45 p.m. and the hour-long presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m.

The presentation by Bill Young, a researcher and disaster relief expert at FSEC, will focus on two important questions: what do you need to do to prepare for an emergency situation, and what are the benefits of using renewable energy technologies?  Solar and other forms of renewable energy offer many benefits to individuals and communities after disasters ranging from hurricanes and severe storms to terrorism or other major calamities, providing power for emergency lighting, medical facilities, shelters and other critical needs.

This presentation is hosted by the Florida Solar Energy Center as part of the Space Coast Science Education Alliance’s community speaker series on topics of local interest.  The Space Coast Science Education Alliance (SCSEA) is an affiliation of organizations devoted to education, science and the environment. Its mission is to promote science literacy throughout the Space Coast region.  The speaker series is geared for high school age through adult audiences.

For more information, contact Susan Schleith at 321-638-1017 or by email at Susan@fsec.ucf.edu.  Reservations are requested to assure adequate seating.

There is no charge for this opportunity to learn how these technologies can serve you not only in a crisis, but every day!

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.

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The event will be held in the FSEC auditorium at 1679 Clearlake Road in Cocoa, on the campus of Brevard Community College and UCF in Cocoa. The doors will be open at 5:45 p.m. and the hour-long presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m.

The program will focus on two important questions: what do you need to do to prepare for an emergency situation, and what are the benefits of using renewable energy technologies? Solar and other forms of renewable energy offer many benefits to individuals and communities after disasters ranging from hurricanes and severe storms to terrorism or other major calamities, providing power for emergency lighting, medical facilities, shelters and other critical needs.

This presentation, hosted by the Florida Solar Energy Center, is part of the Space Coast Science Education Alliance’s community speaker series on topics of local interest. The Space Coast Science Education Alliance (SCSEA) is an affiliation of organizations devoted to education, science and the environment. Its mission is to promote science literacy throughout the Space Coast region. The speaker series is geared for high school age through adult audiences.

For more information, contact Susan Schleith at 321-638-1017 or by email at Susan@fsec.ucf.edu. Reservations are requested to assure adequate seating. There is no charge for this opportunity to
learn how these technologies can serve you not only in a crisis, but every day!

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.

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