JEA and UNF Advance Sustainable Solutions at Lab Opening

2023-11-28

JACKSONVILLE – The University of North Florida (UNF) School of Engineering and JEA today celebrated the grand opening of the JEA Sustainable Solutions Lab. JEA has made a 5-year financial commitment of $500,000 that will provide UNF undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to research renewable energy and, eventually, clean water technologies, as well.

JEA and UNF share a common goal of ensuring a robust pool of trained and environmentally conscious engineers, scientists and other industry professionals to contribute to the responsible economic development of Northeast Florida. The lab will serve as a hub for research to develop long-range and lasting solutions for JEA and a variety of industries.

As JEA prepares for a more sustainable and distributed energy future, collaborations like these are critical to developing a workforce prepared to meet our community’s energy and water needs.

“This is a win-win for JEA and UNF. As the students work on solutions to sustainability challenges, JEA will learn from their research,” JEA Managing Director and CEO Jay Stowe said. “And our entire community will benefit, as well, as this joint effort will establish a pipeline of talented professionals ready to contribute to our clean energy goals for Northeast Florida.”

The collaboration between JEA and UNF began in 2001 with a $500,000 in contributions made between 2001-2004. Since then, the JEA/UNF efforts have resulted in more than $18 million in federal, state, and private industry funded research at UNF. JEA’s recent commitment of $500,000 will be made over five years, at a rate of $100,000 per year from 2023–27.

The lab includes a small-scale 2-kilowatt microgrid solar panel system. UNF also has plans for a 40-kilowatt demonstration microgrid solar panel system in an adjacent lot.

About JEA

JEA is a not-for-profit, community-owned utility that provides safe, reliable and affordable services to more than one million customers across four Northeast Florida counties. JEA is not owned by investors. It was created by the City of Jacksonville to meet the electricity and water needs of those who live in Jacksonville and surrounding communities. JEA’s 2,000-plus workforce is dedicated to ensuring the demands of its customers are met, both today and for generations to come, while protecting our precious natural resources and supporting our region’s growth and economic development.

About University of North Florida

The University of North Florida is a nationally ranked university located on a beautiful 1,381-acre campus in Jacksonville surrounded by nature. Serving nearly 17,000 students, UNF features six colleges of distinction with innovative programs in high-demand fields. UNF students receive individualized attention from faculty and gain valuable real-world experience engaging with community partners. A top public university, UNF prepares students to make a difference in Florida and around the globe. Learn more at unf.edu.

Media Contact

Karen McAllister
JEA Media Relations
(904) 665-5500 | media@jea.com

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