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Sustainable Energy Sector Continues to Grow Along The Corridor In addition to large-scale solar installations like these along The Corridor, the technicians throughout the Americas. The region has long been home to one of the world’s leading resources for solar center is one of only four Siemens wind service energy research and development, as well. The University of Central Florida’s training facilities globally, joining locations in Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) was created in 1975 to serve as the state’s Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom. energy research institute, and today has more than 40 patents licensed to industry. Recently, FSEC has also branched into sustainable energy areas that go far beyond solar. For instance, FSEC is the only university-led team in the nation to receive part of a $4 million investment by the U.S. Department of Energy to increase home heating and cooling eficiency as a way to cut energy use. The Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction project will research “As renewable energy continues to grow as part of the world’s energy mix, our customers depend on us for highly skilled technicians who are committed to helping ensure the long-term reliability of their assets,” said Randy Zwirn, president and CEO of Siemens Energy Inc. not only optimal comfort systems for heating and cooling, but also highperformance ventilation systems and indoor air quality strategies. From discovering the next advancement in sustainable energy to training technicians in Home heating and cooling represent the single highest energy use for U.S. the care of that equipment, companies and homeowners and 40 percent of a home’s energy consumption, so it’s no stretch researchers in The Corridor are making strides to say that FSEC’s research could have a tremendous impact well beyond in alternative energy solutions. The growing Florida. If so, it wouldn’t be the irst example of energy savings stemming from activity centered in one region can serve as a an FSEC project. The Gossamer Wind® series of ceiling fans was conceived at catalyst for even greater collaboration and puts FSEC, and today the more than 2 million Gossamer Wind fans in operation save a spotlight on The Corridor as a thriving hub for users an estimated $40 million annually. sustainable energy. Similar examples abound along The Corridor of sustainable energy technology and training programs that have a broad national and even international impact. For instance, Siemens Energy operates a wind service training center in Orlando that provides highly advanced technical and safety training for wind energy florida.HIGH.TECH 2016 53