Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnams first annual report on Floridas energy output and use points to three technologies under development that could radically change Floridas electric energy sector: battery storage, ocean energy, and advances in wind energy.
These technologies are being researched both throughout the United States and within Floridas university system, the report states.
Battery storage: Wind and solar produce energy only at certain times and those times do not always equate to when the energy is needed. Storage of energy is a major factor that has the potential to revolutionize the renewable-energy industry.
Ocean energy: The Gulf Stream comes within 8 miles of the southeast coast and represents a significant potential in base load capacity with an estimated potential energy capacity of 4 to 10 gigawatts. Florida Atlantic University was appointed as the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center in 2010; it is one of three such centers in the United States. The result is that FAU has received federal funding and is currently establishing a testing facility in the Gulf Stream which will be available to private companies to test prototype ocean turbines.
Wind energy: Floridas inshore wind potential is very low. Advances in low-speed turbines will make small-scale generation a possibility. There are pockets of offshore wind potential in the northeast and northwest of Florida. Currently, the technology for offshore wind is too expensive to make a cost-competitive wind farm.
The long term outlook on the technologies now being studied at state universities is just a piece of the 60-page report, the first for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services since it assumed the responsibilities of the Office of Energy on July 1, 2011.
The report, which offers a snapshot of the states energy demands and resources, comes on the heels of the Legislature passing the first comprehensive energy bill since 2008.
This bill is a modest step toward expanding energy production in Florida, increasing diversity in our states energy supply and creating much-needed jobs for Floridians, Putnam stated in a release. Were putting Floridas energy policy back on the right track, positioning Florida to secure a stable, reliable and diverse supply of energy.
The bill, HB 7117, has yet to be formally sent to Gov. Rick Scott.
Other highlights of the report:
- The states renewable energy and efficiency projects were supported by $176 million in federal stimulus grants.
- Florida is the third highest in total energy consumption among states after California and Texas.
- Florida ranks seventh among all states in the consumption of energy per capita.
- Natural gas and coal are the leading fuels for electricity production in Florida, typically accounting for about 51 percent and 25 percent of net generation, respectively.
- Natural gas represents more than 50 percent of Floridas fuel source for electricity and it is expected to increase in the future.
- Dependence on oil and coal, the other fossil fuels, has been declining.
- There is the prospect of new nuclear-based energy, but that is about 10 years away.
- Renewable energy sources have not had a significant impact in the production of electricity, representing less than 2 percent of Floridas electric generation mix.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
