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UCF, Siemens Dedicate New Energy Center
By Chad Binette Oct. 9, 2008
Photo: Jacque Brund
College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean Neal Gallagher speaks at a ceremony with Siemens officials. Behind him is an image of the new Siemens Energy Center.
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The University of Central Florida and Siemens on Wednesday dedicated the new Siemens Energy Center and celebrated a partnership that benefits America’s energy needs and the Central Florida economy.
Research at the Siemens Energy Center – located on Neptune Drive near the Robinson Observatory -- focuses on increasing the efficiency of power generation equipment, helping to conserve energy and reduce costs. For example, a one-percent increase in efficiency of a single power generation unit resulting from advanced cooling methods provides enough additional output to provide electricity to 1,800 homes.
With the increased efficiency, utilities can produce more electricity using the same amount of fuel, limiting the impact on the environment and climate change.
“What we are beginning today will certainly benefit our two institutions,” UCF President John Hitt said at the celebration at the Fairwinds Alumni Center. “But, our collaboration also has the potential to address the world’s energy needs, which is of even greater consequence.”
The Siemens Energy Center will provide much-needed space to allow the university to expand energy research and provide more educational and research opportunities for students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The new laboratory will triple the amount of space available for such research. About six UCF faculty members, more than 30 students and approximately 25 Siemens engineers will conduct research projects in this facility.
The turbine research will help to position Central Florida as a leader in power generation and energy conversion, particularly in advanced materials development, cooling concepts, heat transfer and combustion. The new laboratory will help UCF train more engineers and strengthen a key sector of Central Florida’s economy.
Jay Kapat, a professor of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, serves as director of the Siemens Energy Center.
“To the faculty and administrators of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, thank you for your initiative and hard work that made this center a reality,” Hitt said. “To the professionals of Siemens, thank you for your confidence in the students and faculty of the University of Central Florida.”
Construction on the $850,000 Siemens Energy Center began in January. Siemens donated approximately $1 million in funding and test equipment. Faculty and students already are working in the new space. UCF expects to move the wind tunnels where turbine components are tested into the research lab in October and November.
During the past 10 years, Siemens has donated more than $3 million to UCF for research and development. Siemens Energy employs about 3,500 people in Orlando, and nearly 400 of them are UCF graduates.
Siemens Energy partners regularly with UCF to address strategic academic and corporate business interests, including research and development, recruiting and other community initiatives. The partnership began 25 years ago when Siemens, then known as Westinghouse, moved across the street from the university.
“I think it (our partnership) has even exceeded the expectations and vision that we had 25 years ago,” said Siemens Energy President and CEO Randy Zwirn. “I’m confident that we’re going to find answers together to some of the toughest questions the world demands of us.”
Dozens of UCF and Siemens leaders attended the ceremony on Wednesday. UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean Neal Gallagher was joined by university trustees Pat Christiansen and Manoj Chopra, a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Provost and Executive Vice President Terry Hickey. Siemens leaders recognized for their support of the energy center included Vinod Phillip, Hans-Juergen Kiesow and Antje Lembcke.
The Siemens Energy Sector is the world's leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2007 (ended September 30, based on IFRS), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR20 billion and received new orders totaling around EUR28 billion and posted a profit of EUR1.8 billion. The Energy Sector had a work force of 73,500 at the beginning of fiscal 2008. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/energy.
UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 6th largest in the nation with more than 50,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu.
