Sirmons Adds Spark to Energy Programs

 

“Florida’s supply and use of energy promotes economic prosperity, limits environmental impacts, and enhances the quality of life for all Floridians.”

- The Florida Energy 2020 Commission’s Vision Statement

 At TRDA, we have responded to the Governor’s continued call for increased focus on efficient energy technologies. By supporting Florida’s businesses with emerging clean and efficient technologies, we stand to decrease dependence on foreign oil and increase the growth of Florida’s economy. The TRDA energy programs play a vital role in the future of Florida’s energy use, consumption and availability.

 Roberta Sirmons joined the TRDA as program manager for energy programs this summer. She is a licensed, professional mechanical engineer with experience in alternative fuel systems, energy analysis, compressed gases, fluid systems, and HVAC. Sirmons will spearhead energy initiatives for the state agency including Venture Smart Florida, Investment Initiative for Energy Technologies, Industry of the Future, and the development of the ethanol 85 fueling stations.

Sirmons has led a distinguished career in the energy and engineering fields. Her recent projects include the Walt Disney World Fantasmic! compressed gas storage facility design, Miami International Airport compressed natural gas fueling facility and the Patrick Air Force Base compressed natural gas vehicle fueling facility design.

She is the recipient of the prestigious NASA Silver Snoopy award, a NASA Group Achievement Award for her work on the Utility Annex Holiday Outage Team and a NASA letter of appreciation for the LC-39 Christmas Outage. Sirmons also received a Federal Energy Efficiency award. She graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.

“Ms. Sirmons’ knowledge and experience in the energy arena coupled with her solid engineering background will deliver our energy programs to a new level,” says Frank Kinney, executive director of the TRDA. “We plan to bring the value and impact of alternative fuel and energy-efficient systems to the forefront in Florida and Bobbie is the ideal champion for these energy issues.”

 As a catalyst for technological advancement in the state, TRDA funds and operates several energy programs including Venture Smart Florida and Investment Initiative for Energy Technologies. Venture Smart Florida was created to help commercialize energy-related technologies that benefit the state’s economy and promote clean, efficient energy practices.  The program recently funded $150,000 in business and technical support to promising companies as a means of enhancing their potential for success in the venture capital market. Investment Initiative for Energy Technologies helps support companies get exceptional new energy products off the ground.  Investment Initiative for Energy Technologies lowers the financial risks associated with commercializing new technologies by co-investing with other private investors. The program recently funded two Florida companies $150,000 each to help bring them a step closer to commercialization.

TRDA also runs Florida’s Industry of the Future program focused on the development and implementation of energy efficient glass production and use. In the past year, TRDA hosted two Industry of the Future program conferences for ten southeastern states through the Department of Energy.