Multi Power Local Issue #1

8/9/2019 Multi Power Local Issue #1

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Why MultiPower-Local?Village leaders from the Bering

Strait Region used the termMulti-

Powerduring an energy meeting in

Nomelast year. WithMultiPower,

each community reduces the needfor outside fossil fuel by combining

the best mix it can find of locally

available energy resources. The

MultiPower-Local Bering Strait

Regional energy news will pro-

mote solid energy planning and de-cisions with news and information

from across the region.

Pilgrim Hot SpringsMany might benefitfrom a Univer-

sity of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)geothermal study this summer and

next at Pilgrim Hot Springs near

Nome. The projects main goal is toprove an innovative new survey

technique that can pinpoint the

source of geothermal fluids there.

The technique uses airborne infra-red cameras and satellite data. Simi-

lar methods have been used to studylava flows under volcanoes and to

(Continued on page 4)

The AEA Energy Pathway

The Alaska Energy Authority

(AEA) wants rural communities toconsider adding energy projects to

their list of priorities. Rural com-

munities recently got a hint at howinstabilities in world fossil fuel

markets can effect their economies.

Future prosperity hinges, in part, on

sustainable, safe, reliable, afford-

able energy supplies.(Continued on page 5)

Wales Wind

Wales is windy, its a good place to test cuttingedge wind energy systems. Roughly ten years ago,

Kotzebue Electric Association (KEA) and scientists

from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)installed a high penetration system there designed

to supply at least 50% of the villages electricity

and some of its heating with the wind, and for die-sel generators to be turned off on windy days.


Wind Energy 101

Wind energy is unlikely to reach its full potential untilsome key problems are solved. The better everybody un-

derstands rural Alaskas unique problems, perhaps, the

more quickly this will happen. Some of the biggest prob-lems come because most rural Alaskan communities are

not connected to a utility grid. Each operates its own die-

sel mini-grid. This raises a number of issues that engi-neers in the lower 48 dont normally have to deal with.



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Governor Parnell SignsAlaska Sustainable Energy Act

Governor Parnell signed,

The Alaska Sustainable En-ergy Act SB220 today. Thebill aims to reduce fossil fuel

dependence and stabilize en-

ergy costs, and to create jobsthrough conservation, effi-

ciency, and local and renew-

able energy. It is the first act to

make codified changes toAlaska law in pursuit of the

intent and policies laid down in

HB306 (see back page).Leading by example, the statewill develop methods to iden-

tify and pursue the least cost

highest return energy effi-ciency and conservation pro-

jects in its facilities. Once per-

fected, these methods might beput to use in communities

throughout the state.

While high fuel prices hurt,at

the same time state revenuesrise. A new program automati-

cally uses some of this in-

creased revenue to lessen theimpact of higher heating fuel

prices on Alaskas low and

middle income residents.

The Emerging Energy Tech-nology Grant Fund is created.

It is designed to compliment a

federal Denali program of the

same name that is already in

place. Now state and federalfunds can work together to solve

key energy problems and bringsolutions to market faster.

Nuclear Energy may be the only

alternative to fossil fuel in someremote communities. Manufac-

turers claim nuclear energy is

safer and that small reactors,

suitable for rural Alaska, areavailable. Communities with few

other options can now explorethe possibility of nuclear power.

Two revolving loan funds are

created to assist municipalities,

educational institutions, and

businesses, with conservationand efficiency improvements and

alternative energy systems.

Municipalities now have the op-tion of offering an incentive for

renewable energy improvements

by exempting them from the as-sessed value of a homeWithin one yearthe governors

office must complete a study on

the costs and benefits of creatinga separate Alaska Department of

Energy.

While energy officials have

been doing it on their own for

years, the new law requires a

yearly public energy efficiency

and conservation training and

education outreach program.

SB220 is long and complex.

This is just a general overview.

If you want to see the realthing, follow the link at the

bottom of the page.

Perhaps it is not as important

where we are in life as whatdirection we are headed. To-

days energy legislation ap-

pears to head Alaska awayfrom depending on unstable

world fossil fuel markets and

toward a future of conserva-tion, efficiency, and sustain-

able local and renewable en-

ergy supplies. This might be a

good thing.

June 16, 2010

By Walter H Rose Energy Specialist, Kawerak Inc. Email: [email protected]: 907-443-4366 Fax 907-443-4449

Link to SB220

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/26/Bills/SB0220Z.PDF


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Parnell Signs HB306Energy Legislative Intent & Policy

Alaskas economic prosperity depends on available, reliable, energy for electricity, heating,and transportation. The price of fossil fuels, which Alaska exports and its residents con-

sume, is set in world markets. Global climate change will affect the future price of fossil

fuels. The state recognizes the immense diversity of the state's geography, cultures, and re-

source availability.

It is the Alaska State Legislatures intent that:

The state achieve a 15% per-capita increase in energy efficiency by 2020

50% of the states electricity come from renewable and alternative sources by 2025,

The state work to insure a reliable in-state gas supply for residents of the state

The power project fund serve as the main source of assistance for energy projects

The state remain a leader in petroleum and natural gas production

The state become a leader in renewable and alternative energy development

Therefore it is the policy of the state to:

Promote conservation and efficiency through building efficiency codes, improvements

in public facilities, and public education programs.

Promote renewable and alternative energy related economic development.Assist communities in developing cost-effective long-term solutions.

Encourage private sector investment in renewable and alternative energy.

Further energy education, workforce development, and emerging technology R&D

Streamline the regulatory process and coordinate government functions

Centralize state energy affairs under one office or agency,

Collaborate with federal agencies to achieve the state's energy goals

Meet emissions, renewable and alternative energy, and energy production targets

HB306 packs a lot of meaning into a few words. Lots of work went into its creation. Both

houses of the Alaska legislature passed it unanimously. On June 16, 2010 Governor Parnell

signed it into law.

HB306 describes what Alaska intends to accomplish with energy legislation and declares

policies designed to further that intent. It describes the predicament fossil fuel dependence

has us in today then creates policies and offers guidelines showing us a way out. Even

though it was not the law yet, legislators referred to HB306 when writing SB220 (see back

page). Legislators will continue to refer to HB306 when discussing energy in the future.

NOTE: The language below was edited to save space.

Follow the link below for the full text

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/26/Bills/HB0306Z.PDF


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investigate coal fires underground.

If they succeed, the cost of geother-mal exploration could come down.

The project mightalso benefit

some of the region. Previous stud-ies suggest it could make economic

sense for Nome, Teller, and possi-

bly even Kotzebue to get powerfrom Pilgrim. These studies con-

clude by saying more information is

needed. UAF will be getting some

of that information this summer.

The UAF project includes a com-prehensive economic analysis as

soon as they know more.

The airborne survey might be of

particular interest to some of our

villages. Some suspect they havegeothermal resources nearby, but

this has been difficult to verify be-

cause the country around them is sorugged. If the UAF is right, and

their new method works, it might

be possible to get lots of informa-tion without ever setting foot on the

ground.

While no firm commitment has

been made, UAF appears willing to

discuss the possibility of flyingover areas around villages to look

for suspected springs. The airborne

equipment should be arriving in

early August. Villages interested in

discussing this with UAF, if theyhave not already done so, please

call me so I can point them in the

right direction.As I write this article scientists are

beginning their work. Summers are

short in the Bering Strait Region sothings are likely to happen fast. Fu-

ture editions of the MultiPower-

Local will continue the story and

keep readers posted with the latest

information and news.

(Pilgrim, Continued from page 1)

Villages with suspected geothermal resources nearby might benefit when

UAF has their airborne equipment in town. If your village is interested, and

not already speaking with UAF, please call me at (907)443-4366


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Energy is now a priority for thestate of Alaska. The governor re-

centlysigned HB306 into law (see

article p3). It sets goals for energyefficiency, conservation, and re-

newable energy. Like many of us,

the State has been thinking aboutenergy for a long time. Now they

have put it down in writing. The

Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)

would like rural communities toconsider doing the same.

Some seem to feel that previous

energy planning efforts in Alaska

fell short because they took toomuch of a top down take it or

leave it approach. The strategy

this time is to include communityleaders in the planning process.

They want to move forward with

something communities believe in.

Last April, as part of an ongoingenergy planning effort, The AEA

distributed a draft copy of Alaska

Energy Pathway, toward energy

independence. Their pathway

shows one possible way communi-

ties might mitigate the risk of fossilfuel dependence by adopting local

and renewable energy supplies.The AEAs Energy Pathway in-

cludes a detailed energy assess-ment of every community in rural

Alaska. It outlines ways each

might contribute to the statesoverall conservation, efficiency,and renewable energy goals.

AEAs state energy plan sets out

short (1-3 years), medium (2-10

years), and long term (5-15 years)

goals for increasing the percentage of

electrical and heating energy needs

provided by renewable energy

sources. The pathway estimates

capital requirements for specificprojects in each of our communi-

ties to help meet these goals.

The AEA long term goal for the

Bering Strait region is to get

80% of both heating and elec-

tricity from renewable sources

by 2025. It is more likely thatthis will happen with local buy-in

and support.The AEA looks at each commu-nitys energy needs and describes

how they are currently being satis-

fied. They look at opportunities for

conservation and efficiency, local,and renewable energy. They evalu-

ate the potential of options identi-

fied then estimate the cost of de-

veloping the most promising ones.Community assessments talk about

specific projects, timelines, and

budgets.

This could be useful for villages

in our region deciding how to in-

vest their NSEDC funds. It tellsthem the projects AEA will most

likely support and how much AEA

thinks they will cost. If their esti-

mates dont seem realistic or their

timelines and goals are not in linewith your communitys priorities

the AEA needs to hear from younow.

What you can do

I will be sending leaders of eachcommunity in the Bering Strait Re-

gion a copy of their AEA assess-ment right after I publish this

newsletter. First, to the best of your

ability, check it for accuracy. I will

be setting up an appointment witheach village to discuss their assess-

ment some time in July.

Between now and then leaders

should view their assessment in

the context of other communitypriorities. Ask how important re-

ducing your community exposureto fossil fuel related risk is in rela-

tion to other plans. What level of

commitment is your communitywilling to make. In this context,

does the AEA assessment make

sense?

Last year villages in our regionpassed resolutions supporting local

and renewable energy develop-

ment. Now villages, if they haventalready, should consider adding an

energy component to their eco-

nomic development plan. The

AEA will have an easier time se-curing funding for projects that are

well thought out, included in plans,

and supported by resolution(s).

The AEA intends to seek funding

for the projects defined in their as-

sessments. Regardless of what en-tity currently provides your power,

the AEAs assessment is important

to you.

(AEA Pathway Continued from page 1)


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Example AEA Assessment

The table below shows an exam-

ple of what the summary page of acommunity assessment might look

like. The top section of the chart

looks at Electricity, the bottomsection at heating. The first col-

umn shows current conditions.

The Second Immediate column

estimates how much it will cost toattain the governors 5% conser-

vation improvement and a 15%

efficiency improvement. The

Short, Mid, and Long-Term col-umns that follow estimate renew-

able energy costs and benefits.The Stretch Column shows

where we might be in outlying

years. Projects in the short-term

column are probably already un-derway. Mid-term and later pro-

jects are probably in earlier stages

and havent yet been funded.

It must be emphasized that the energy deploy-

ment scenario for each community is not a defi-

nite plan set forth by AEA, but a general pro-

posed pathway based on the best information

available to AEAs program managers. The intent

is to stimulate discussion on community energy

planning, and provide rough cost estimates of

community-scale projects. Individual communi-

ties must decide for themselves what their energy

development strategy should be, and how best touse local renewable energy resources. (AEA)

Determining a best-use scenario for each commu-

nity within the context of their unique needs and

potential is the key to ensuring a sustainable fu-

ture for Alaskas People. (AEA Director)


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The system workedfor a while butit was unreliable and expensive.

They shut it down several years ago

and, to date, it has not been re-

turned to service. Here are some of

the factors that might have contrib-uted to the decision to take the sys-

tem off line.

Wales wind was designed to be aretrofit to existing diesel generators.

This made things more difficult and

complicated from the start.System designers had counted on

reliable internet in order to keep the

system going and tweak its per-

formance. Internet service in Wales

is unreliable to this day.Turbines hada recurring problem

with their tip brakes and, each timeit happened, a technician had to fly

in from Kotzebue to fix it.

Costs piled up to the point thatwind power looked pretty expen-

sive compared to diesel. At some

point the decision was made to shut

things down.Summer 2008 offereda stark re-

minder of how risky diesel fuel de-pendence really is. Soaring fuel

prices ripped through village

economies and rekindled the inter-

est in renewable energy. The sys-tem in Wales was already installed.

Getting it back up and running

looked like a wise use of funds.

New, more reliable and less expen-

sive technologies have come alongsince Wales was installed. High

penetration wind looks much more

doable from a technical perspective.Dont get me wrong though, even

ten years down the road, high pene-

tration wind in a village is stilllikely to be no easy task.

Kotzebue Electric Association

(KEA) was recently awarded fund-

ing for Wales wind under the

Denali Commission Emerging En-ergy Technology Grant program.

KEAs grant proposal reveals aplan to fix the turbines, upgrade the

systems controls and communica-

tions, and then to operate and moni-tor the system in conjunction with

the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alaska Center for Energy and

Power. (UAF/ACEP) Their ulti-mate goal is to develop a high pene-

tration wind system that is viable inrural Alaska.

I spoke with Kat Keith and Gwen

Holdmann, from the Alaska CenterFor Energy and Power (UAF/

ACEP) about Wales. Before she

came to ACEP Kat helped write the

Denali grant application at KEA.

Kat and Gwen are both passionateabout getting Wales back on line

and proving high-penetration wind

is viable. Proving it works in Walesmight reshape wind projects across

the state.

Kat introduced me to Brad Reeve,her old boss, who is the manager at

KEA. I learned that while the

Alaska Village Electrical Coopera-

tive (AVEC) provides the power in

Wales, KEA owns the turbines.Two technicians recently returned

from travel to Wales. They reportthat the turbines arent in that bad

of shape. They hope to be ready to

return next month with what theythink they need to bring the tur-

bines back on line. Future issues of

theMultiPower Localand ofThe

Boltwill keep readers up to datewith the happenings in Wales as the

project proceeds.

(Wales Wind Continued from page 1)


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With a mini-grid, as you increase the

amount of energy supplied by the wind,the cost and complexity of additional

components needed to control the system

and store energy begins to go up dramati-cally.

Penetration, expressedas a percentage of

total power,is the word used to describehow much of a villages electricity comes

from the wind. Little more is needed than

wind turbines and controllers with lowpenetration wind (20% or less) The

Alaska Village Electrical Cooperative(AVEC) has been installing medium

penetration systems in our region. These

are designed to generate 20%-35% of thevillages electricity using the wind. They

are a bit more costly and complex.

High penetration systems are theoreti-cally capable of operating with the diesel generators turned completely off on windy days. Systems quickly

start getting expensive when they aim to provide 35% or more of a villages power, on average, from the

wind. The Alaska Energy Authority still considers high penetration wind to be an emerging technology. This

means that high penetration projects are not eligible for Renewable Energy Grant Fund assistance today. An

ongoing project in Wales, currently funded by a Denali Emerging Technology grant, may help to change allthis. When they get the bugs out of high penetration wind and the AEA begins to consider the technology ma-

ture rural Alaska may benefit.

Why High Penetration is More Difficult and ExpensiveWind speeds are constantly changing; this is called an intermittent resource. Villages, on the other hand, need

a pretty much continuous uninterrupted supply of electricity. With wind/diesel hybrid systems, wind suppliessome of the power and diesel generators make up the difference. The more energy you try to get from the

wind, the trickier and more expensive everything gets to control.

Energy storage systemshelp solve some of the problems, but the types available today either dont work inAlaska (because they freeze solid), or they are really expensive. Scientists have been working hard trying to

solvethe energy storage problem. Possible solutions appear to be on the horizon but they have not been

proven. Projects are underway to test a number of emerging storage technologies including a Denali EmergingTechnology grant funded vanadium redox flow battery test in Kotzebue (see drawing). Flywheel storage is alsoemerging. In Antarctica systems are reported to be approaching 90% penetration. I wouldnt be surprised to

see flywheel storage coming to our region soon.

(Wind Energy 101Continued from page 1)


Kotzebue Electric Plans to Test


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Wind StudiesIt is risky to invest a lot of moneyin wind turbines before knowingexactly how strong the wind is at a

site. Scientists conduct a wind

study so they can figure out howmuch power the wind can generate.

It takes at leasta year to complete

a wind study. Avoid the temptation

of cutting corners and keep the fol-lowing in mind.

Using calibrated instruments, in-stalling them where the turbineswill be located, and putting them at

the right height above the ground

all help reduce the risk of bad data.

Do notuse wind data from oldaviation or weather stations. The

instruments they use are not accu-

rate enough, they are usually in-stalled at the wrong location, and

they are measuring the wind speed

at the wrong height above theground.Small errors in measurements close

to the ground can mushroom

into huge errors in estimates ofhow much wind energy you

might produce because: the

amount of energy in the windvar-ies with the cube (third power) of

the wind speed. A 10% errorin

measured wind speed results in a

35% error in estimated power pro-duction.

The wind blows fasterup high. En-

gineers normally scale data col-

lected close to the ground to com-

pensate for this fact. In theory,

when airport data is scaled up tohigher above the ground where the

turbine hub will be, the 35% error

jumps to 75%. The size of the er-ror that actually results depends on

many other factors as well. It could

turn out to be more or less. The bot-tom line, however, is that taking

short cuts with wind data can be a

mistake.

Wind studies in this region shoulduse a heated anemometer (wind-

speedometer). Usually they dont

freeze solid, they just slow down.

Data from an iced up anemometeris difficult to tell from accurate

data.

AEA wind study Assistance

Working with the anemometer loanprogram at the Alaska Energy Au-

thority (AEA) can help villages

save money, time, and avoid costly

mistakes. The AEA has equipment

available for loan, and can provide

technical assistance. Currently theAEAs program requires villages to

pay for equipment transportation,

travel, and per-diem for the AEAs

technician, and the cost of two or

three local laborers; one day for

setup, one day for tear-down.Somebody in the village will also

need to keep an eye on the instru-

ments and collect data from time totime.

Wind Data Online

You can find a wind study onlinefor almost every place that turbines

are installed in Alaska. The first

place to look is the AEAs Alaska

Wind Resource Data web page (seelink). It is interesting, check it out.

Planned Studies this Summer

Several surveys are plannedstart-

ing this summer in our region.Golovin and White Mountain plan

to use Recovery Act funding to

conduct a study on a hill between

their two villages. AVEC is plan-ning three studies, one between

Stebbins and Saint Michael, one

between Teller and Brevig Mission,

and one near Shaktoolik.

Good wind data is valuable.

In the lower 48 proven data can beworth millions. If it leads to energy

independence, for some in rural

Alaska, it could be priceless.

(Wind Energy 101 Continued from page 8)

AEA wind study AssistanceJames Jensen (907)771-3403www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindlanemometerloan.html

Wind Resource Data Online

www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindresourcedata.html
http://www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindlanemometerloan.htmlhttp://www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindlanemometerloan.htmlhttp://www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindresourcedata.htmlhttp://www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindresourcedata.htmlhttp://www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindresourcedata.htmlhttp://www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindlanemometerloan.html


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Who is this guy?I am MultiPower-Locals author,

Kawerak Energy Specialist, Wal-ter H Rose, originally from Pasa-

dena, California (near Los Ange-

les)

My father, Dr. J.H. Rose Jr. is adoctor who specializes in cancer

treatment.

My motherDarlene Smith, isfrom a small citrus farming town

of Santa Paula, about 150 miles

northwest of Pasadena.

Joseph Holtof Kentucky, mygreat uncle on my fathers side, is

my most famous ancestor. He

played a big part in getting Ken-tucky to side with the Union in the

civil war. He was Judge Advocate

General. I am proud that Holt bit-

terly opposed slavery and did a lotto help bring it to an end. That is

why I always use the H when I

write my name.

I have a Masterof Business and aMaster of Science in Information

Systems Management from the

Drucker School of Management atClaremont Graduate Universityin

California (MBA/MIS), and a BA

in Economics from UC Santa

Cruz.Early in my careerI worked as

the buyer for a Japanese multina-tional machine tool manufacturer.After the Japanese, I spent about

fifteen years running my own

business that wrote software. Thateventually got so boring I couldnt

stay awake so I entered the scrap

metals business.

That landed me in Nome and Ihave been here ever since. I have

been working as Kaweraks en-

ergy specialist for more than ayear. I hope to be here longenough to see this regions energy

problems solved.

Scottish Clan Rose

Hunting Tartan Formal Tartan

Kawerak Energy

Phone:(907)443-4366

Fax: (907)443-4449

Email: [email protected]: www.kawerak.org

MultiPower-Local publishesnews and information of in-

terest to the Native Villagesof the Bering Strait Region of

Western Alaska.

Please feel free to send yourcomments and suggestions.

Multi Power Local Issue #1

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