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The clean technology & sustainable energy sector in Metro
Orlando is evolving as the push is on to reduce the country’s
dependence on foreign oil and make use of environmentally-friendly
alternatives to fossil fuels.
Metro Orlando’s traditional energy industry is bolstered
by major utility providers Progress Energy Florida and the Orlando
Utilities Commission, as well as world-renowned power generation
companies, including Mitsubishi Power Systems, Inc. (MPS) and
Siemens Energy, Inc.– both of which are headquartered in the
region.
A number of fuel distributors and wholesalers are also based in
Metro Orlando, along with engineering, consulting, construction and
equipment firms that support energy providers. Firms providing
energy conservation products such as photovoltaic systems also
augment the sector.
In addition to research projects, businesses are involved in
other renewable energy endeavors, including conversion of methane
gas from landfills and waste oil from restaurants into fuel to
generate power.
Metro Orlando’s venture into renewable energy began in
response to the 1973 oil embargo. In 1975, the state of Florida
founded the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to pursue research
and development of alternative energy sources. Today, FSEC forms
the backbone of the emerging renewable energy sector in the region,
with an emphasis on solar power and building efficiency.
Hydrogen power for space exploration and transportation systems
is another significant area of research conducted at FSEC. The
center performs contracted research for government agencies like
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA. FSEC has shared in
grant funding awarded to state universities by NASA, which uses
hydrogen for space launches. FSEC has been studying development of
future space propellants and more efficient space launch
activities. In 1997, the Department of Energy (DOE) designated FSEC
a Center for Excellence for hydrogen research and education for its
efforts toward developing hydrogen as a clean, abundant and
locally-produced fuel.
The energy/alternative fuels sector is supported by a number of
organizations dedicated to advancing the use of alternative energy
sources. In addition to serving as information resources and
government advisors, some of these organizations are instrumental
in helping businesses obtain funding for energy research and
development. Metro Orlando is a strong area of opportunity for
continued activity in both traditional energy and alternative fuel
initiatives.
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