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OVIEDO - Florida’s journey to reduce the state’s collective carbon emissions
took another step forward today as Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole joined executives from Ford Motor
Company, BP America, Inc., Progress Energy Florida and the United States
Department of Energy to officially open the state’s second hydrogen energy
station in the last six months. In 2004, the international corporations selected
the Sunshine State as one of three sites in the nation to demonstrate
pollution-free hydrogen fuel cell cars.
“Florida is pleased to be opening the state’s second hydrogen fueling
station,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By using state-of-the-art
technology we are demonstrating the power of alternative energy in Florida’s
future.”
The hydrogen demonstration project is part of an initiative unveiled in 2004
by the U.S. Department of Energy. Through the federal government’s Controlled
Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project, Ford
supplied the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Progress Energy
Florida with six hydrogen-powered Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicles. BP America
supplies the cars with hydrogen fuel through a grant from the State of Florida.
“BP is committed to developing cleaner fuels,” said Maria Curry-Nkansah, BP’s
hydrogen business development manager. “With this station, we will continue our
work to gain real-world experience in hydrogen fueling infrastructure and help
build public awareness of this developing technology. This program is an example
of how government, energy companies and the auto industry are working
collaboratively to assess the potential of hydrogen as an alternative fuel.”
One of the hydrogen-powered Ford Focus gives DEP park rangers a
pollution-free ride during everyday operations at Wekiwa Springs State Park,
which attracts nearly 185,000 visitors annually. Home to a handful of freshwater
springs, the 8,000-acre park protects the headwaters of the Wekiva River. Two
more vehicles are utilized by DEP’s Central Regulatory District for field
inspections. Progress Energy Florida’s energy-efficiency specialists and
customer account managers are using the remaining three hydrogen-fueled cars at
their Jamestown Operations Center.
Hydrogen can power cars by replacing gasoline in an internal combustion
engine or as a source of power for a fuel cell. A fuel cell combines hydrogen
and oxygen to produce electricity, which powers the car and emits only steam.
Worldwide, energy companies, automakers and oil companies are investing more
than $2 billion annually on research and development to advance hydrogen
technology as a new, sustainable source of energy.
“The opening of this second station under the Ford-DOE Controlled Hydrogen
Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project represents another
step forward for hydrogen as an alternative fuel,” said Sheral Arbuckle with
Ford Motor Company’s Research and Advanced Engineering Department. “We have made
much progress in hydrogen propulsion over the past 15 years and are pleased that
our Energy Partner, BP, has continued their efforts in supporting this project
with the much needed infrastructure to fuel our vehicle fleet. This is another
major milestone in this joint government and industry initiative.”
In addition to the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle demonstration fleet, in May,
Governor Charlie Crist opened the state’s first hydrogen energy demonstration
station in Orlando. The station fuels hydrogen-powered shuttle buses and
provides a test platform for showcasing the production, storage and dispensing
of hydrogen fuel. Partners in that fueling station were Ford Motor Company,
Chevron Technology Ventures and Progress Energy Florida.
“Progress Energy is pleased to once again collaborate with our public and
private partners on the successful launch of yet another renewable-energy
initiative,” said Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. “Our
balanced approach to meeting Florida’s future energy needs means a strong
commitment to state-of-the-art renewable technology, and this facility is
another example of our belief in the promise and potential of hydrogen to meet
those needs.”
On July 13, Governor Charlie Crist signed a groundbreaking set of Executive
Orders at the “Serve to Preserve: A Florida Summit on Global Climate Change,”
which brought together academic experts, scientists, environmentalists and
governmental and private sector leaders to discuss Florida’s energy future. The
three Executive Orders represent the Governor’s commitment to addressing global
climate change, and a promise to reduce Florida’s greenhouse gases, increase
energy efficiency and pursue renewable energy sources.
For more information, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/climatechange or
www.dep.state.fl.us/energy. |
