Florida & UK Reach Across the Pond to Foster Ocean Energy Research
Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Ocean Energy Technology [COET] opened in 2006 when Governor Jeb Bush was in office. During the summer of 2008, new Governor Charlie Crist went to the UK to discuss joint initiatives related to clean ocean energy and climate change with British universities. Frank T. Brogan, FAU President, accompanied Crist & signed an agreement with Heriot-Watt University to exchange information between their 2 centers. This adds to the previously signed agreement with the University of Edinburgh. COET was established with $5 million in state money in 2006 and received another $8.75 million this year.
Florida is a narrow peninsula with most of the state counties on the water or in close proximity and is therefore extremely dependent on the sea’s resources. It ranks 3rd in total energy consumption with up to 45% of Florida’s residential electricity going to air conditioning. It is expected that with population growth Florida’s energy demand will grow 30% in 10 years. Some interesting facts: Gulf Stream flow that passes by the southern and eastern shores of Florida is 30 times greater than the TOTAL freshwater river flows of the world. Cold water at greater depths flows the other way and could possibly be harnessed for cold water air conditioning. Florida is completely reliant on out-of-state fuel sources for electricity generation [there are some wind turbine and solar power projects in the works.]
Click below to see video:
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Video & photo courtesy & © Center for Ocean Energy Technology, Florida Atlantic University
EdF (Electricité de France) is the French state owned electricity company, and the group supplies gas and electricity to the whole of the UK. Solar Energy
[...] Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Ocean Energy Technology [COET] opened in 2006 when Governor Jeb Bush was in office. During the summer of 2008, new Governor Charlie Crist went to the UK to discuss joint initiatives related to …Original post by eblock [...]