If not oil, then what?

Florida is a major player in the research and implementation of alternative energy sources

 
Charlotte Sun
July 27, 2008
 
By NEIL HUGHES
Staff Writer

North America is addicted to oil.

We are unrivaled in terms of our consumption of petroleum. Oil consumption per day, per person in the U.S. and Canada was nearly 3 gallons per day in 2003.

Compare that to other industrialized nations, where the number was less than 1.5 gallons per day. Or worse, the global average at around a halfgallon per day.

It’s with that dependence in mind that politicians in America, even as some push for increased offshore drilling, have begun to acknowledge the need to pursue alternative sources of energy.

No doubt the increased talk of renewable energy is reaction, in large part, to exorbitant increases in the price of petroleum.

“The first thing we need to do is work on alternatives and start filling the gap,” said Rep. Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte, “because I don’t think our needs are going to be decreasing, or the costs of energy are going to be decreasing.”

Luckily, Florida is on the cutting edge of alternative energy research and implementation.

For starters, electricity in Southwest Florida is provided by Florida Power & Light, which touts itself as the No. 1 producer of renewable energy from wind and solar in the U.S.

In June, FPL announced plans to build the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center on 180 acres the company owns on the east side of U.S. 17 north of Arcadia, not far from the Hardee County line.

About 1 percent of the power FPL currently supplies is from renewable energy, but after three new FPL solar facilities (including the one in Southwest Florida) come on line and create 110 megawatts of power, Florida will be the second-largest solar power producing state in the nation.

Add to that 47 existing wind farms in 15 states, and more to come.

“This shows our growing commitment to address the effects of climate change by producing electricity that emits zero greenhouse gas emissions,” FPL spokeswoman Sharon Bennett said in a written statement. “These projects signal to the world that the state of Florida is doing its part to help to secure the nation’s energy future.”

Grant said he envisions the state government, like FPL, pursuing wind and solar even further.

Imagine wind turbines harnessing power 20 miles off the coast of Florida, or incentives for a homeowner who places solar power panels on their home’s roof.

“I think you’ll see the state of Florida moving ahead with some of that stuff, especially with solar,” Grant said.

A solar-equipped home, he said, could provide 80 percent to 90 percent of its own power, and excess power during peak hours could be fed back into the power company’s grids to be redistributed, and provide a credit to customers. And it’s not science fiction, either — these alternative energy sources could be acquired with today’s technology.

And as with all technology, the more ubiquitous it becomes, the cheaper the cost.

While wind and solar power become a larger part of the U.S. energy picture, research continues toward the next big thing.

Sen. Mike Bennett, RBradenton, is chairman of the Florida Committee on Communications and Public Utilities. In that role, he’s had first-peeks at new, experimental homegrown Florida energy alternatives.

And as Florida, and the entire U.S., looks to a future that is less dependent on oil, Bennett said he is hopeful that all energy options are left on the table for consideration.

One potentially groundbreaking new technology Bennett cited is a project from researchers at the University of Florida that could turn artificial turf into a plastic polymer that conducts electricity.

In plain English, it’s a fake grass you could theoretically put in your front lawn that would generate electricity for your home from sunlight.

Beyond that, entire artificial trees and plants could act as photovoltaic collectors. Think of it like the aesthetically pleasing alternative to a solar panel.

“No fertilizer, no mowing, no water,” Bennett said.

With America’s addiction to oil in mind, Bennett said it’s time Florida helps the country kick its habit.

Consider that the U.S. consumes more barrels of oil per day than China, Japan, Russia, Germany and India combined.

For reasons such as that, Bennett is wary of supporting offshore drilling just to satisfy an oil fix. Unless, that is, alternative energy remains the real focus.

“If they want to take the profits of it and reinvest it in renewable,” he said, “I’m in.”