Opportunities for Florida from Florida Solar Energy Center on Vimeo.

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Nearly 700 students throughout Florida converged at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa on Saturday, May 9, 2009 to compete in the seventh-annual EnergyWhiz Olympics. Events included the new Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff, a solar cooker and cooking contest; the Junior Solar Sprint, model-size solar car races; the High School Hydrogen Sprint, model-size hydrogen fuel cell car races; and Energy Innovations, a full-scale solar electric design challenge.

“The EnergyWhiz Olympics grows a little each year, and this year’s event is the biggest ever. It’s exciting to see so many students learning about renewable energy and sharing their experiences,” said Susan Schleith, education coordinator at FSEC.

The newly-added Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff challenged students to design and build solar cookers, and also design and cook a recipe of their own creation in their oven. Student creativity and engineering skills illuminated in the solar oven designs. One solar cooker was made using an old water heater, while another used a traditional grill, but “fueled” it by using a lens from an old projection TV, intensifying the sun’s heat. The students’ culinary talents were also put to the test, and their dishes were judged on taste, ingredients and creativity; one team was even more creative and serenaded the judges while they were taste-testing.

The Energy Innovations program is a full-scale solar electric design and marketing challenge for middle and high school students. Each participating team designed and constructed a product or artistic work fully powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels, also called solar electricity, provided by BP. Teams also created marketing pieces, such as brochures, fliers, and posters, to accompany their products.

One of the most popular events each year is the Junior Solar Sprint (JSS), where students design, construct and race solar-powered vehicles. This hands-on competition, for middle school students in sixth through eighth grade, encourages scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation and teamwork. Awards were given based on vehicle design, quality of craftsmanship, innovation and vehicle speed. This year nearly 50 teams competed for the awards.

The Hydrogen Sprint, a competition for high school students in grades 9-12, allows students to design, build and race model-sized hydrogen fuel cells cars. This competition exposes students to hydrogen’s potential as an alternative fuel source and also gives graduates of the Junior Solar Sprint program an opportunity to continue designing and building alternative-fueled vehicles. Participating teams also give a 10-minute presentation on any aspect of hydrogen they learned about while creating their vehicle. The winner of this event ran 20 meters in just 5.16 seconds – the fastest time recorded among middle and high school students in the last two years.

Results of  the competitions are listed below:

6th Grade Junior Solar Sprint

• 1st place: Kanapaha Middle, Gainesville (Bam)
• 2nd place: New School Preparatory, Orlando (Care Car)
• 3rd place: South Seminole Middle, Casselberry (The Arrowhead)

7th Grade Junior Solar Sprint

• 1st place: Jupiter Middle, Jupiter (Mach 4)
• 2nd place: Edgewood Jr./Sr., Merritt Island (Screaming Red Ants)
• 3rd place: South Seminole Middle, Casselberry (World Traveler)

8th Grade Junior Solar Sprint

• 1st place: Hidden Oaks Middle, Palm City (The Flying Pig)
• 2nd place: South Seminole Middle, Casselberry (El Taco)
• 3rd place: Lockhart Middle, Orlando (Starlite Drive)

Overall Junior Solar Sprint

• Most Innovative Vehicle 1st place: Jupiter Middle, Jupiter (The Car Men)
• Most Innovative Vehicle 2nd place: McLane Middle, Brandon (Vibot 3)
• Most Innovative Vehicle 3rd place: Conway Middle, Orlando (The Silver Dawg)

• Best Design 1st place: McLane Middle, Brandon (Vibot 3)
• Best Design 2nd place: Jupiter Middle, Jupiter (The Car Men)
• Best Design 3rd place: Conway Middle, Orlando (Glitter Gadget)

Hydrogen Sprint

• 1st place Vehicle Performance: Edgewood Jr./Sr. High, Merritt Island (M-Jop III)
• 1st place Hydrogen Presentation: Edgewood Jr./Sr. High, Merritt Island (Racegirls)
• 1st place Vehicle Design: Olympia High, Orlando (Titan I Rocket)

• Overall 1st place: Edgewood Jr./Sr. High, Merritt Island (Racegirls)
• Overall 2nd place: Edgewood Jr./Sr. High, Merritt Island (M-Jop III)
• Overall 3rd place: Olympic High, Orlando (Titan I Rocket)

Energy Innovations

• 1st place Middle School Division: South Seminole Middle, Casselberry (The Amazing Squirt)
• 1st place High School Division: Olympia High, Orlando (S.T.E.M.S. – portable power station)
• 2nd place High School: Bayside High, Palm Bay (Solar Charged Electric Car)
• 3rd place High School: South Plantation High, Plantation (Preparation H – solar hydroponics)
• WOW! Award (most creative and artistic): Tie, South Seminole Middle, Casselberry (The Amazing Squirt) and Edgewood Jr./Sr. High, Merritt Island (Solar Powered Projection)

Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff

• Elementary 1st Best Design: Gardendale Elementary, Merritt Island
  (Sky is the Limit)
• Elementary 2nd Best Design: St. Martha Catholic School, Sarasota
  (Heat Wave)
• Elementary 3rd Best Design: St. Martha Catholic School, Sarasota
  (Steak Sweethearts)
• Elementary 1st Solar Cooking: New School Preparatory, Orlando
  (Beach Buddies)
• Elementary 2nd Solar Cooking: Gardendale Elementary, Merritt Island
  (Sky is the Limit)
• Elementary 3rd Solar Cooking: Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Melbourne (Rocking Crazy Wolfs)
• Middle School 1st Best Design: South Seminole Middle, Casselberry
  (The Spice is Right)
• Middle School 2nd Best Design: James Madison Middle, Titusville
  (Delectables)
• Middle School 3rd Best Design: James Madison Middle, Titusville
  (Del Sol)
• Middle School 1st Solar Cooking: Stewart Middle Magnet, Tampa
  (Solar Chefs)
• Middle School 2nd Solar Cooking: James Madison Middle, Titusville
  (Del Sol)
• Middle School 3rd Solar Cooking: James Madison Middle, Titusville
  (Delectables)

For more information about this and other K-12 educational events, contact Susan Schleith at susan@fsec.ucf.edu or 321-638-1017.

Additional Links

Link to Florida Solar Energy Center’s photo gallery:
http://media.fsec.ucf.edu/photos/2307-EnergyWhiz-Olympics-2009/index.html

Link to FLORIDA TODAY story:
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090510/NEWS01/905100316/1086

Link to FLORIDA TODAY photo gallery: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=A9&Date=20090509&Category=NEWS01&ArtN o=509026&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

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The University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and the Brevard Community College Green Team will host the event on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Everyone is invited, and admission is free.

Learn from the experts how to cut your energy costs without sacrificing comfort, the benefits of green roofs, the basics of solar energy and the latest research in alternative fuel technology. Tours of the center will also be offered.

Exhibitors and vendors will offer presentations, demonstrations and activities.
Solar energy, environmental and educational exhibits — including various types of alternative fuel vehicles — will be on display, and a farmer’s market will feature local organic food. Activities for kids include a bicycle rodeo, solar boat demonstrations, a bouncy house and face painting. In addition, the Middle School Science Bowl finalist teams will race their model hydrogen fuel cell cars.

The BCC Green Team will present free educational and environmental films, “Gimme Green,” “Who Killed the Electric Car?” and “Kilowatt Ours.” The BCC Planetarium and Observatory will present two showings of the movie “A Living Sea,” which is shown in IMAX, at a discounted rate of $3.

Sunsational EarthFest activities will be located throughout the north end of the Brevard Community College Cocoa Campus and at the Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa.

Sunsational EarthFest is sponsored by the Florida Solar Energy Center, the BCC Green Team, Bright House Networks, FLORIDA TODAY and SolarWorld.

For more information, call Susan Schleith at (321) 638-1017 or go to www.floridaenergycenter.org/go/earthfest.

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A Florida utility and a Florida company, organization or individual that demonstrate statewide leadership and significant accomplishments in sustainability and energy savings will be honored. Last year’s recipient was Ann C. Wilkie, associate professor at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). She was recognized for her extensive work in alternative energy – creating bio-energy from animal waste – and her leadership in promoting awareness and understanding of renewable energy and sustainable practices. Previous award winners also include Walt Disney World and Sarasota County Government. There were no applicants last year for the Florida Utility Energy Achievement Award.

Results recognized through the awards could include reducing energy use, water conservation, renewable energy generation, the use of alternative fuel vehicles and renovations or retrofits with energy-saving measures. Other results could include reducing pollution, innovative energy-saving performance contracts or utility energy services contracts, having a major impact on public education regarding energy issues or playing a prominent role in educating or disseminating information related to energy conservation.

Applications for the 2008 awards must be received at the Florida Solar Energy Center by January 16, 2009.

To apply for the award, interested organizations and individuals should send the form available at the bottom of this release and a letter to FSEC highlighting a key project and documenting its impact and effectiveness. The letter must give information on the program or activities that qualify for the award.  Well-documented, quantifiable measures should be included to demonstrate the energy savings and environmental benefits to Florida. The utility competition is open to all Florida utility companies. The general competition is open to all Florida companies, organizations and individuals. Staff members of the Florida Solar Energy Center and their families are not eligible for either competition.

Applications should be sent to:
Dr. James Fenton, Director
Florida Solar Energy Center
1679 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, Florida 32922

Applications should be postmarked by January 16, 2009. Questions should be directed to Philip Fairey at 321-638-1005 or pfairey@fsec.ucf.edu.

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 country. 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 www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

Applications in pdf can be downloaded below:

Florida Energy Achievement Award

Florida Energy Achievement Award for Utilities

###

PR08-15

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Caribbean will be held in Cape Canaveral from June 3 to 6. “Renewables: The Road to Sustainability” is the seventh program in a series sponsored by Sustainable Applications for Tropical Island States (SATIS) and the Caribbean Solar Energy Society.

Bill Young of the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center is serving as technical contact for the conference, which will be of special interest to Caribbean government officials and people doing business in the Caribbean islands.

Solar energy technology offers significant potential as a major energy source in the area, as well as growing opportunities for jobs such as contractors and installers. Topics of special interest to government officials include energy costs and how to reduce them and using renewable energy as a critical power supply during energy outages and disasters. Business sessions include discussions of the latest markets for renewable energy in the Caribbean.

This is the first time the SATIS conference will be held in the United States, and researchers from across the Caribbean will present their latest findings.

Young said “this program is designed to bring together scientists, technologists and industry from both inside and outside the Caribbean to talk about ways that tropical nations can use energy conservation, solar energy, wind, biomass and other cost-effective renewable technologies.

“There will be information and an open forum on climate change to discuss Caribbean perspectives. This year’s program will feature a special exhibit on solar, wind, energy, water and the environment, and there will be workshops on solar energy technology and energy-efficient building practices.”

The program will be held at the Radisson Beach Resort at the Port in Cape Canaveral. The conference also includes a tour of the Florida Solar Energy Center, which has one of the largest solar simulators in the world and an energy-efficient office complex that includes renewable energy systems.

For more information or to view the conference program, visit www.caribbeansolar.org or contact Young at 321-638-1443 or young@fsec.ucf.edu.

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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 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 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.

Examples include reducing energy use, water conservation, renewable energy generation, use of alternative fuel vehicles, renovations or retrofits with energy-saving measures, reducing pollution, innovative energy saving performance contracts or utility energy services contracts, having a major impact on public education regarding energy issues or playing a prominent role in educating or disseminating information related to energy conservation measures or issues, helping generate awareness on energy-related issues, or other programs that have helped Florida use its energy and environmental resources more effectively.

Applications for the 2006 award are now being solicited, and must be received at the Florida Solar Energy Center by December 8, 2006. FSEC is the state of Florida’s energy institute, and is a research unit of the University of Central Florida.

To apply for the award, interested organizations and individuals should send the attached form and a letter to FSEC highlighting a key project and documenting its impact and effectiveness. The letter must give information on the program or activities that qualifies them for this honor. The energy savings and environmental benefits to Florida should be well documented to show quantifiable measures of energy savings or environmental improvement. The competition is open to all Florida companies, organizations and individuals (except staff members of the Florida Solar Energy Center and their families, who are not eligible).

Applications should be sent to Dr. James Fenton, Director, Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Florida 32922, and be postmarked by December 8, 2006. Questions should be directed to Mr. Ken Sheinkopf at 321-638-1007 or sheinkopf@fsec.ucf.edu.

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 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.

The application in MS Word can be downloaded here.
—————————————————————

Application Form
2006 Florida Energy Achievement Award

Nomination submitted by: _______________________________________________________

Nominee’s Address: ______________________________________________________________

City: __________________________________________

State: _____________ Zip:___________

Phone: __________________________ email: ____________________________________

Name of Nominee (Organization, Company or Individual):

_____________________________________________________

Nominee’s Address: _______________________________________________________

City: __________________________________________

State: _____________ Zip:___________

Phone: __________________________

email: ___________________________________________

Website: ____________________________________________________________

I recommend this organization or individual for this award because of
the following (give a brief summary of their activity;
use additional sheets if necessary):

Give information on the actual energy savings and environmental
impacts from this activity; provide specifics and details:

What is the impact of this program on Florida? Why do you consider
the activity worthy of receiving this award?

Additional comments (attach any supporting documents):

Thank you. Please submit this form and any additional information to:
Dr. James Fenton, Director, Florida Solar Energy Center,
1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, FL 32922.

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That’s the message from Dr. James Fenton, Director of the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), in a presentation he gave before the state’s Senate Committee on Communications and Public Utilities on January 10.

In making a case for increasing the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy as means of achieving energy independence in Florida’s future, Dr. Fenton illustrated how the state could reduce Florida’s current projected requirement for 75 trillion additional kilowatt-hours of energy use by 2014 by more than 25 percent. With approximately $187 million in state incentives, Florida should be able to attract an equal amount of federal tax credits for builders and homeowners while saving more than 4 trillion kilowatt hours and $450 million in consumer electrical costs each year.

The FSEC study also showed significant additional benefits to the state of 126,000 new jobs, avoidance of almost 1,700 megawatts of new power generation plants, the production of $420 million dollars in tradable renewable energy credits for the state and a savings of more than 26 million tons of atmospheric CO2 release. The state would also avoid fuel purchases from outside the state of more than $1.2 billion, keeping Florida’s hard earned capital within the state to generate economic activity and jobs growth.

Dr. Fenton’s complete Power Point presentation, “Taking Charge of Our Energy Future: Choosing the Better Pie,” can be downloaded from http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/energynews/2006/2006-02-energyuse2014.htm.

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 http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/ or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at (321) 638-1015.

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The award will be presented each October 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.

Examples include reducing energy use, water conservation, renewable energy generation, use of alternative fuel vehicles, renovations or retrofits with energy-saving measures, reducing pollution, innovative energy saving performance contracts or utility energy services contracts, having a major impact on public education regarding energy issues or playing a prominent role in educating or disseminating information related to energy conservation measures or issues, helping generate awareness on energy-related issues, or other programs that have helped Florida use its energy and environmental resources more effectively.

Applications for the 2005 award are now being solicited, and must be received at the Florida Solar Energy Center by October 10, 2005. One winner will be selected annually and will receive an award as well as permanent designation in the energy centers complex in Cocoa, Florida.

FSEC is the state of Florida’s energy institute, and is a research unit of the University of Central Florida. The center is celebrating its 30th anniversary this fall, and has instituted this new award as part of its anniversary celebration activities.

To apply for the award, interested organizations and individuals should send the linked form (click here) and a letter to FSEC highlighting a key project and documenting its impact and effectiveness. The letter must give information on the program or activities that qualifies them for this honor. The energy savings and environmental benefits to Florida should be well documented to show quantifiable measures of energy savings or environmental improvement. The competition is open to all Florida companies, organizations and individuals (except staff members of the Florida Solar Energy Center and their families, who are not eligible).

Applications should be sent to Dr. James Fenton, Director, Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Florida 32922, and be postmarked by October 10, 2005. The winner will be announced in late October. Questions should be directed to Mr. Ken Sheinkopf at 321-638-1007 or sheinkopf@fsec.ucf.edu.

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 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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To assist applicants for the grants in meeting the requirements for the Farm Bill Funds, the FSEC workshops will examine qualifying renewable energy (RE) and energy efficient technologies and provide a basic overview of how these technologies work. There will also be case studies of rural renewable energy and efficiency applications with a focus on solar and biomass.

The workshops will review each aspect of the application process. Each participant will work with a sample application, following the steps to applying while identifying potential projects and considering methods to secure project financing and to locate contractors and technology experts. Strategies will be presented for designing the project and dealing with permitting issues, as well as conducting a payback analysis. The workshop will finish with an open question and answer forum.

These free workshops are available to rural businesses and cooperatives and all agencies with an interest in pursuing these funds as well as low interest loans through USDA’s Farm Bill Program.

To register for a workshop, go to www.sunsmart.org/workshop_registration.htm and choose one of the following workshop dates:
* May 18, 2005 (Tallahassee, Florida)
* May 23, 2005 (Stuart, Florida)

You can also register by calling Jennifer Szaro at 321-638-1427.

Lunch will be sponsored by the Florida Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation (FLASEREF).

For more information about the workshops, contact Jennifer Szaro at 321-638-1427, jszaro@fsec.ucf.edu.

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 Information Office at (321) 638-1015.

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