Independent Study Thesis

http://www.cakex.org/case-studies/580

It seems obvious to me that in order to keep pace with rate of technology and innovation, change will have to include radical reforms to public policy and risk mitigation. Do we have to "reinvent the wheel" when considering added value in consequence of commerce and consumption? The Department of Defense has adapted sustainability strategies and resource conservation awareness to their standing mission, which includes developing new standards for industry best practice models. These strategies include the deployment of field and fixed demand distribution micro grid schemes.

The added value of renewable energy and micro grid strategies are highly disparate, depending on application and scale. Citing a recent summary by the University of Florida Public Utility Research Center for the Florida Energy and Climate Commission dated March 12, 2010:

"Maximizing the benefits associated with an increase in federal funding of clean technology at all stages will require the state to implement the best net metering and interconnection standards.'

http://www.freshfromflorida.com/offices/energy/docs/Energy_Efficiency_Renewable_Energy_Executive_Summary.pdf

I conceive enormous need to overcome constraints of interstate regulations and standards for the exploitation of renewable energy strategies. Specifically to monitor the implementation smart technology into our nations roads and highways for harvesting kinetic, thermal and photovoltaic potential. With the failing of infrastructure in transportation (bridges), and the lessons learned regarding the role our interstate highway systems with shaping technology and innovation, it is clear my objective is to:

• 1. Identify current interstate and permitting plans or barriers to micro-grid, smart-grid and net metering strategies in the State of Florida.

  2. Asses the component of risk non-proliferation at the state level poses to public safety

  3. Assign value to these findings through adaptive management and avoided costs.

  4. Create a matrix to indicate these measures as they relate to current legislation in education, service-learning and disaster mitigation.

I am currently researching risk mitigation as it relates to Federal, State and municipal requirements. I hope to petition a consortium, such as the Central Florida High Technical Corridor, along with Flagler County Emergency Operations:

• • To create a virtual pilot program for residential and industrial micro grid distribution systems. A virtual microcosm fits nicely into existing disaster relief training, which may expose hidden cost and hazards found in live simulated environments.

  • To discover, develop and market an enhanced environmental management simulator using current gaming and simulation tools.

This approach utilizes the current development and application of the FRECI EDEN project, WEB 2.0 environment (social networking), simulation tools and a common resource data base of plug and play UL appliances to create a micro-grid scheme that can adapt.

I have met with several city, county and industry leaders to try and sell this “idea”. The paper is a lagging component of my effort to document and analyze the results of this experiment. I currently need 15 hours of credit for my degree. It is my hope that during the course of this application of the FRECI EDEN project, I can demonstrate competencies in upper level math and science learning objectives.