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Metro Orlando features trade associations that are focused on
advancing the energy/alternative fuels sector through information
sharing, networking opportunities, funding and educational
resources. Following are brief overviews of a sampling of these
organizations:
Florida Hydrogen Energy
Partnership
The Florida Hydrogen Energy Partnership was formed in 2003 and
comprises a statewide group of community leaders, university
researchers, industry representatives, and government officials.
The goal of the Partnership is to begin the process of making
Florida the nation's leader in development of, and transition to, a
hydrogen economy.
Florida Solar Energy Industries Association
(FlaSEIA)
Founded in 1977, the FlaSEIA is a nonprofit professional
association of companies involved in the solar energy industry.
Members include manufacturers, distributors, contractors, retailers
and consultants who provide solar water heating, pool heating and
solar electric systems.
Technological Research and Development Authority
(TRDA)
The TRDA, established by the Florida Legislature in 1987,
administers the Florida Energy Investment Initiatives, Venture
Smart Florida and Investment Initiative for Energy Technologies.
These entrepreneurial initiatives are designed to assist Florida
companies secure private capital in their effort to develop and
commercialize promising and innovative energy-related technologies,
products and services. Both Venture Smart and Investment Initiative
aim to transform promising, yet borderline investable, companies
into attractive investment opportunities, by helping them overcome
investor concerns.
The TRDA has provided grant funding to several companies engaged
in energy-related ventures in Metro Orlando. Specific activities
funded have included efforts to convert biomass to ethanol;
production of micro turbines; development of energy efficient
lighting; and design of cooling systems for lasers.
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