What Do I Know?: Energy Conference - Wind and Hydrokinetic Power

James Jensen -Wind Energy Program Manager, Alaska Energy Authority

Showing a map of Alaska with ratings for wind in different areas and now a map of the wind projects around the state, which match the areas with the best wind.

Wind Projects in Alaska either Railbelt or Rural

Rural - Wind-diesel systems - if not integrated, probably won't be successful. In most cases wind primary source of power. ON the Railbelt, more traditional wind.

In rural Alaska mostly Utility owned and mostly grant funded. Cheap projects. On the railbelt, primarily commercial financing. Rural many projects, small. On the Railbelt only a few, larger projects.

Gradual growth until April 06, and then surge in 2009 due to renewable energy fund which is driving the growth of Alaska wind industry now.

Kodiak is the biggest success story - generating 9% of KEA's energy, reduced diesel based generation by 50%.
Last ten years gone from no experience to many firms that have built several functioning projects. AVEC has developed to the point where they have a standard wind-diesel system to offer villages.

Biggest Opportunity
Displace heating fuel

Brent Petrie, Community Development Manager, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC)

Board of Directors said to reduce diesel use by 25% in 10 years and power plants by 50% in ten years. [I couldn't keep up with everything here - so here are a few of the slides:]

Monty Worthington, Director of Project Development, Alaska - Ocean Renewable Power Company

Alaskans have used fishwheels for a long time.

River hydrokinetic projects - not just Outsiders, but also Alaskans doing this.

First hydrokinetic project installed August 2008. Debris problems in rivers. A lot of lessons from the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council's Ruby project.