By Jim Stafford
The Oklahoman

Web address: www.centaurustech.com

Employees: Five team members, two volunteers

Key personnel: Temur Akhmedov, founder, business development, energy audits; Vladimir Kravtsov, principal partner, IT and business development; Spencer Huggins, energy audits and energy star certifications; Vladimir Popov, energy audits, research and development; Elizabeth Amanbayeva, administrator, bookkeeping

Founded: 2005

Key product: Centaurus provides energy audits for residential and small commercial building owners and operators. It also markets compact fluorescent lighting.

Background: A native of the central Asian part of the former Soviet Union, Centaurus founder Temur Akhmedov said he was always fascinated by the old homes and buildings there that stayed cool in 100-degree heat without air conditioning and had stood for hundreds of years, withstanding earthquakes, heat, rain and cold.

Before immigrating to the United States, Akhmedov developed his interest in sustainable energy during a brief tenure with the World Bank in Uzbekistan, and reading about the use of solar panels to generate power for buildings opened up the possibilities to him in building sustainable, efficient and economically viable communities.

"Learning the industry, challenges and opportunities, I realized that there was a possibility for the state of Oklahoma to become a front runner on energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development," he said. "With abundance of solar, wind and geothermal energy, Oklahoma could provide its residents and export clean energy. By having all that clean energy, we could attract energy intensive industries into our state.

"This would hopefully create high end jobs for Oklahomans. The opportunity is there for us to take."

Akhmedov came to Oklahoma in 1994 to study at the University of Oklahoma, earning a sociology degree.

Still a fledgling company housed in the business incubator operated by the Norman Economic Development Coalition, Centaurus serves a client base that is largely composed of homeowners and small business building owners. Armed with Energy Star and other "green" building certifications, Centaurus works with builders and developers to create energy efficient buildings for Oklahomans, Akhmedov said.

"We know that at this point we can help local businesses cut their utility costs by 50 percent or more," Akhmedov said. "As we grow, we will start working with performance contracts and offer green building solutions, which should bring us close to zero-energy buildings."

This past weekend, Centaurus assisted in a "green" family reunion in Sulphur, providing families with its compact fluorescent light bulbs, educational materials and tips for improving energy efficiency for their homes.

A Chicago resident who was traveling to Sulphur for the reunion found the company on the Internet and asked for its assistance in promoting the "green" reunion, in which the families did not use any disposable dishes or eating utensils in their gathering.

"We are developing the concept of green family reunions further, and offer help to any family interested in this innovative idea," Akhmedov said. 

Centaurus Technologies and Innovations Inc. is located at 710 Asp Ave., Suite 304, Norman, Oklahoma 73069