Florida Tech to Host Sustainability Forum March 5-7, 2007

Florida Tech will host the “Sustainable Pathways: New Research & Practices: An International, Interdisciplinary Forum”, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA to be held March 5-7, 2007.

Currently planned topics (as of Dec. 12, 2006) are “Developments in Ecotourism”, “Biological Diversity”, “Corporate Social Responsibility”, and “Ecotourism Practitioner’s Forum” on the first day. The second day will discuss “Smart Growth & Regional Planning”, “Sustainability, Technology, & Innovation”,  and “Renewable Energy”.

There will be two banquet lunches with speakers and a banquet dinner with a keynote speaker.

This is an international forum with attendees expected from United Kingdom, Hungary, and the European Union. For more information, contact Ms. Linda Ward, lward@fit.edu, 321-674-7573.

Frank Leslie, Florida Tech

Senator Bennett questions lack of progress in renewable energy

State Senator Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, recently expressed his frustration with Florida’s investor-owned utilities at a Public Service Commission meeting for not making more progress in developing renewable energy sources. The utilities are claiming it would increase cost to customers. Historically, in other states, that has not been the case. When coupled with energy efficiency, the exact opposite is true. Perhaps our greatest potential today in Florida is what we can save with energy efficiency as shown in this study from the Florida Solar Energy Center.

Craig Williams

FIT’s Racing Electric Vehicle

Florida Tech now has a group of senior students who are working on an electric sprint vehicle similar to a Formula One racer. The car is called a “Racing Electric Vehicle” or REV. It will have many small lithium ion batteries that will produce 144 volts at up to 120 amps. Check out the concepts at their website, http://my.fit.edu/rev/.

Here’s a sample,

“REV, the Racing Electric Vehicle, is a Florida Tech original design project dedicated to creating a successful project with strong leadership and team support. The REV promotes community awareness, publicity, and expands knowledge of electric vehicles.

This project comes from a tradition of Motor Sports at Florida Tech. For years now FIT has been competing in the Formula SAE and Mini Baja competitions. This year we hope to begin a new tradition at FIT as we introduce Florida Tech to the growing field of electric racing. From here we don’t know where it will lead. To an electric SAE competition? To years of future electric Florida Tech Race Cars? We hope for both, but first we need your help to make this inaugural year a reality and a shining success”

This isn’t a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) similar to a golf cart. The REV will likely reach 60 mph and will have an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in four seconds! The design has passed the preliminary design review and the cost is approximately $20,000. Sponsors will be welcomed.

Frank R. Leslie,

Adjunct Professor,

Florida Institute of Technology, DMES

Solar Rebate Info

I’ve noticed a lot of people searching for info on solar rebates and finding our blog. I want to make sure they find what they’re looking for. Click here to go to our web page on solar rebates and tax incentives.

Craig Williams

National Solar Tour on October 7th

On Saturday, October 7th, the National Solar Tour from the American Solar Energy Society will be taking place all across the country to promote the potential of solar energy. Thousands of solar-powered homes and buildings in 44 states will be open for public tours. Eleven of those homes will be right here in the Orlando area as part of the Central Florida Solar Tour. Find the sites closest to you and come see solutions at work. Click here for details.

Craig Williams

Ten Years left to curb Global Warming

James Hansen, a prominent NASA climate scientist, claims that we now only have ten years to get a handle on man-made climate change before catastrophic consequences occur. Take a look at this sobering report at MSNBC.

Craig Williams

Appointments to the new Florida Energy Commission have been made

The new Florida energy bill passed this year by the state legislature sets up a nine-member advisory board for the governor and legislature known as the Florida Energy Commission. Most of the appointments have already been made as reported in this article from the Palm Beach Post. The board is to advise on how best to establish a secure and affordable energy future for Florida including the development of alternative sources. Unfortunately, the first report from the commission is not due until December 31st of 2007. It certainly seems like a loss of precious time.

Craig Williams

Forum on Florida’s Solar Rebate Program

This is an open thread for anyone who would like to discuss any issues surrounding the new solar rebate program - application process, equipment certification, qualified installers, etc. Comments from consumers, industry professionals, and state officials are welcome!

Craig Williams

Wind turbine factory in Pensacola

I thought this was an interesting article about a GE plant building wind turbines in Pensacola. It’s one of those examples of how fighting global warming will hurt the economy.

Craig Williams

Who Killed the Electric Car? A Movie

This weekend, Friday, August 11 & Saturday 8/12, this movie opens at the RegalWinter Park Village 20 Cinemas in Winter Park. There will be at least two electric cars outside.

Mr. Charles Whalen is driving his vehicle, a RAV4-EV, from Delray Beach to Winter Park. These are not hybrids, but true electric cars that plug into the “Grid”. This is a good chance to speak with an owner and also learn more about the Florida Electric Automotive Association.

In the future, there will be pluggable hybrids that use electricity for around town, but have unlimited range using a fuel like gasoline, ethanol, cellulosic methanol, compressed natural gas, or hydrogen. But that’s a movie yet to come . . .

Frank Leslie