Alaska s Experience in Renewable Energy Development. Gwen Holdmann, Director Alaska Center for Energy and Power University of Alaska Fairbanks

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1 Alaska s Experience in Renewable Energy Development Gwen Holdmann, Director Alaska Center for Energy and Power University of Alaska Fairbanks

2 Electrification in Alaska Earliest examples from early 1900s in conjunction with gold rush (Fairbanks, Juneau, Nome) Main push for rural electrification occurred between Most communities rely on diesel power Limited incorporation of other renewables until early 2000 s

3 Electrification in Alaska Alaska road network Left: Alaska Railbelt electric grid (yellow) Below: 27MW BESS helps support northern intertie

4 Electrification in Alaska Substantial variation between regions, and between individual communities Anchorage: $0.14/kWh Juneau: $0.13/kWh Fairbanks: $0.23/kWh Kotzebue $0.43/kWh (PCE rate $0.17) Shungnak $0.83/kWh (PCE rate $0.21) Angoon $0.61/kWh (PCE rate $0.21) Alaska Statewide Energy Electric Power Oil Gas Coal Hydro Wind Net MWh 844,792 3,284, ,907 1,545, ,389 Share 14% 53% 6.1% 25% 2.5% Regional Grid: Railbelt Electrical Grid Oil Gas Coal Hydro Wind Net MWh 399,686 3,230, , , ,394 Share 9% 70% 8% 11% 3% Alaska Remote Off-Grid Communities - Commulative Oil Gas Coal Hydro Wind Net MWh 445,106 54, ,047,652 36,995 Share 28% 3% 0.0% 66% 2.3%

5 Early Hydropower Development Top: Cordova, Alaska. Population hydropower projects constructed as early as Right: Bradley Lake Hydro Project on Kenai Peninsula

6 Very Early Wind Projects in Alaska Small-scale wind used for early community power and mining activities

7 Early Modern Wind Turbines (1970 s) A number of Jacobs 10kW turbines were installed across Alaska in the 1980 s. These all failed.

8 Abandoned Turbines in Unalakleet

9 Alaska RE Grant Fund (2008) Many projects developed over the past decade have benefited from $256M invested by the State of Alaska through the Alaska Renewable Energy Grant Fund. Impact on RET development during first 5 years of the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund (based on installed capacity, Fay et. Al 2013)

10 Drivers influencing early utility-scale RET Development Modest subsidies (minimal market distortion, particularly for commercial customers) Uncertainty/variability in cost of fuel Deregulated utility market (120 + utilities exist in Alaska) Transparency on energy costs and pricing

11 Kotzebue Wind-Diesel System (1999) Traditional Inupiat community3000 residents

12 Kotzebue Absorption Chiller (2001) Installed in 2003, uses recovered heat from diesel power plant to make ice for local fishing industry

13 Wales High-Contribution Wind (2000)

14 Wales High-Contribution Wind (2000) Traditional Inupiat community 145 residents

15 Wales High-Contribution Wind Completed in 2000 Capable of diesel-off operation 3 65kW AOC turbines Challenges with turbines in Arctic operation, also balance of plant Has been idle since 2007

16 St Paul Island Wind System (2001) Traditional Aleut community Population of ~500 Famous for bird watching

17 St Paul Island Wind System (2001) Diesel off with no battery

18 St Paul Island Wind System (2001) Diesel off with no battery Installed in 2001 by local native corporation (Tanadgusix Corporation) to support local airport facility Capable of diesel-off operations Refurbished Vestas turbines Project is still operational Upgraded with flywheel in 2015 (which suffered a bearing failure in 2016)

19 Examples of other early projects/programs Alaska Village Electric Cooperative installed first wind energy project in 2003 (Selawik, currently operates 15 systems) Chena Hot Springs low temperature geothermal plant (2006) Solar through GVEA (Fairbanks) Sustainable Natural Alternative Power (SNAP) program Biomass for space heating

20 Eagle Hydrokinetic Project (2003) Eagle, Alaska Population kw system provided diesel off 100% power to Eagle Village

21 Chaninik Wind Group: Tuntutuliak, Kongiginak, Kwigillingok, Kipnuk Wind Projects

22 Kodiak Island: Microgrid with 100% renewable generation year round

23 Solar energy gaining in popularity Deering, Alaska Population = 125 residents, 10 kw. Multidirectional array produce consistent power throughout day (and night) 24 hours output in July

24 Small Scale Biomass for Heat and Power Tok School Biomass Project (125 kw power + heating)

25 VOLTER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT Partnership with the FNSB Small Finnish biomass CHP design Fueled through locally sourced chips New to North American market Far left: Volter unit - 45 kw e and 100 kw th Near left: Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks

26 Study Question Alaska s Renewable Energy Systems 70 of ~200 communities have community-scale renewable energy projects

27 Lessons Learned from Early Projects Important to understand humantechnology interface

28 Lessons Learned from Early Projects Important to understand the human-technology interface Project benefits should be clearly defined and articulated who wins and how?

29 Lessons Learned from Early Projects Important to understand the human-technology interface Project benefits should be clearly defined and articulated who wins and how? Efficiency first at all levels

30 Lessons Learned from Early Projects Important to understand the human-technology interface Project benefits should be clearly defined and articulated who wins and how? Efficiency first at all levels Appropriate training and support critical

31 Lessons Learned from Early Projects Important to understand the human-technology interface Project benefits should be clearly defined and articulated who wins and how? Efficiency first at all levels Appropriate training and support critical Use appropriate technology

32 Lessons Learned from Early Projects Important to understand the human-technology interface Project benefits should be clearly defined and articulated who wins and how? Efficiency first at all levels Appropriate training and support critical Use appropriate technology Take advantage of lessons learned there are plenty!

33 Alaska Project Champions

34 Thank you Gwen Holdmann Alaska Center for Energy and Power University of Alaska Fairbanks