Dec. 13, 2007 Jennifer Tharpe Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 jennifer.tharpe@nasa.gov Sharon Bennett Florida Power and Light 561-691-2591 Sharon_Bennett@fpl.com MEDIA ADVISORY: M07-184 NASA AND FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT EXPLORE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA and Florida Power and Light, also known as FPL, are studying potential renewable energy projects that would be done at Kennedy Space Center. Kennedy and FPL managers signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday at the space center that establishes the framework for determining how technically and financially possible it would be to carry out various â??green powerâ?? plans. "Kennedy Space Center is pleased to partner with our electric power provider to explore ways we can jointly improve the use of renewable energy in Florida," said Center Operations Director Michael J. Benik. "We are looking forward to identifying projects that can help reduce our nation's and state's dependence on fossil fuels." "FPL has long been a clean energy and conservation leader. We now have an exciting opportunity to work with NASA to bring more renewable energy to Florida," said Armando Olivera, president of FPL. "This fits right in with our goal to meet the challenge of reducing greenhouse gases while providing our customers with clean, reliable power at an affordable price," he added. NASA and FPL will jointly work to explore developing renewable energy projects. These include solar energy power generation concepts, using biomass for energy production and wind power generation. One plan under consideration is a solar photovoltaic power generation system that would occupy about 50 acres of Kennedyâ??s approximately 140,000 acres and would be capable of producing up to 10 megawatts of electrical power. That is enough energy to serve roughly 3,000 homes. Details of the projects under consideration still are being formulated and will be fully evaluated before moving into development. For information about Florida Power and Light and its programs, visit: http://www.fpl.com/ For more information about the NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html -end- To subscribe to the list, send a message to: ksc-subscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov To remove your address from the list, send a message to: ksc-unsubscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov
