Florida Hydrogen Business Partnership Finalizes Hydrogen Energy Roadmap

“Florida is continuing to take a leadership role in clean fuel technology,” said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy Allan Bedwell. “This commitment to developing pollution-free energy technology benefits Florida’s natural resources, quality of life and economy.”

DEP first gathered hydrogen technology developers, fuel and power producers and major energy consumers in April 2004 to assist the State with the development of Florida’s hydrogen economy. The Partnership’s strategy for industry and government to rapidly accelerate the development, demonstration and commercialization of hydrogen technologies will establish Florida as a major center for this revolutionary new industry.

The strategies outlined by the Partnership mirror the proposed Florida Hydrogen Energy Technologies Act, unveiled last month by Governor Bush at the groundbreaking of Florida’s first hydrogen energy station. The Partnership strategy and the legislation call for financial incentives, expanded demonstration projects and a uniform siting standard for businesses who invest in hydrogen in Florida.

Many of the actions identified by the Partnership are already underway. Fifteen mobile and stationary hydrogen demonstration projects are already underway or in the development stage. Another 13 projects are in the planning stage. Florida has committed to purchasing eight of the world’s first commercially available hydrogen shuttle busses for visitor transit in the Orlando area.

“Hydrogen is a fuel of the future that will diversify our energy portfolio and lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Deputy Secretary Bedwell. “Florida’s leadership in developing hydrogen technology will protect the environment and bring new investment, companies and jobs to the state.”

The Partnership is comprised of senior executives from 21 leading companies including: Air Products, Air Liquide America, Apollo Energy Systems, Ballard Power Systems, BP America, Chevron Texaco, Cummins Westport, Disney, DynEco, Ener1, Florida Power & Light, Fuel Cell Energy, Gulf Power, Hydrogenics, Plug Power, Praxair, Progress Energy Florida, Shell Hydrogen, Siemens Westinghouse Power, Tampa Electric Company and Teledyne Energy Systems.

Read more about the strategy. [pdf]

For more information, visit www.FloridaEnergy.org.

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