Kotzebue Clean Energy Coalition Newsletter

The latest from just above the Arctic Circle. Here is what I'm thinking about.

Small Alaskan Villages Need Tailored Wind Energy Solutions

The growth of wind energy has been remarkable in recent years, with larger and more powerful wind turbines becoming the norm as the Federal Government continues to invest in off-shore wind (https://doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-approves-third-major-offshore-wind-project-us-waters). However, this trend towards bigger turbines and centralized grid-tied systems does not align with the energy needs of small Alaskan villages. These remote communities face unique challenges that require tailored solutions to address their energy generation requirements. This article explores the untapped wind resources along the Alaskan coast, the tension between resilience and scale, the devastating impact of high shipping costs on Alaskan coastal communities, the mismatch between large-scale offshore wind development and local needs, and the potential of excess energy generation for Alaska’s coastal communities.

Untapped Wind Resources along the Alaskan Coast

Alaska's coastal regions boast excellent wind resources, in some places average wind speeds range from 16 mph to 19+ mph at 50 meters. There is tremendous potential for harnessing wind energy as a viable power source for small Alaskan villages. By utilizing smaller wind turbines designed specifically for remote and extreme weather conditions, these communities can tap into their abundant wind resources and establish sustainable energy systems. Customized solutions can optimize energy production while minimizing costs and environmental impact.

Resilience versus Scale: Distributed Systems versus Giant Turbines

The size and scale of wind turbines have been increasing due to the economies of scale associated with larger units (https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/wind-turbines-bigger-better). Large wind farms with a few high energy producing turbines are efficient in terms of installation, maintenance, transmission infrastructure and physics. However, the reliance on one large system creates a single point of failure, compromising the resilience of the energy supply. In contrast, a multiunit distributed system, consisting of smaller turbines can enhance resilience. In remote Alaskan villages, where accessibility and weather conditions can affect maintenance and repairs, a more distributed system ensures continued power generation even if one or more turbines experience issues. Then there is the issue of maintenance on giant turbines which requires extreme specialization of skills in villages without access to giant scale equipment. A more human-scale set of turbines lends itself to repair by human-scale humans, the local workforce and resources and skills they have on hand.

High Cost of Living on the Alaskan Coast: Impact of Fuel Shipping

The cost of living in Alaskan coastal communities is extremely high due to the dependence on fuel shipments and the cost, including fuel burned by freighters, to deliver these shipments. Everything, from groceries to housing, bears the burden of expensive transportation costs. The reliance on diesel generators for electricity further exacerbates the problem. By embracing renewable energy sources like wind power, Alaskan villages can reduce (and ultimately end) their dependence on costly imported fuel, leading to a more sustainable and affordable way of life. Investment in wind energy has happened as proven by this map (https://eerscmap.usgs.gov/uswtdb/viewer/#4.45/65.61/-163.02), but we Alaska needs more. Imagine all the money sent to outside fuel producers and freight handlers being circulated in Alaskan communities. It truly could be a game changer for the economics of village life.

The Mismatch with Biden Administration's Offshore Wind Development

The Biden Administration's focus on offshore wind development may not be suitable for addressing the energy needs of small Alaskan villages. Offshore wind projects often involve massive turbines designed for high-wind, oceanic environments and huge investment in transmission lines. While these turbines might be effective in large, densely populated communities, they are unlikely to be practical for remote Alaskan communities. Instead, local solutions that consider the unique challenges of these villages, such as smaller-scale turbines and localized wind energy generation, may be more appropriate. The administration has spent billions to incentivize the manufacturing of giant off-shore wind turbines for population centers but a similar investment in innovation sized for under-resourced Alaskan Villages has not occurred to my knowledge. But the federal government isn’t the only one who needs to step up their game the Denali Commission, Alaska Energy Authority, the Governors newly formed Energy Security Task Force https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-announces-energy-security-task-force-members/ all need to push for more innovation and deployment. I have heard talks of regionalization in order to use resources, both human and economic, efficiently to deploy renewable energy for small communities and that is a viable model. But another model could be voluntary confederation were a larger statewide organization worked closely small tribal communities to solve the economic, human capacity and technical problems associated with deploying renewable energy while the village still had autonomy to make decision that affect their members and the communities future. Maybe it’s a utopian dream but it seems we have the technology to make sure that real dialog and decision making to happen in an equitable way and we have not utilized it to its highest potential (IMHO).

What If We Produced Too Much Power?

Energy is the base-layer of an economy. Too much potential energy is a good problem to have. With more energy we can heat our homes with heat pumps and thermal energy storage devices, we can teach our children to swim in heated pools, we manufacture and recycle with 3D printers for metals or and plastics, we can create and innovate in ways that are outside the reach of my tiny imagination.

Conclusion:

While the wind energy industry tends to favor larger turbines for economies of scale, this approach does not necessarily align with the energy needs of small Alaskan villages. Resilient distributed systems, tailored to the unique challenges of these remote communities, offer an interesting alternative solution. Reducing the high cost of living caused by shipping fuel to coastal areas and investing in locally appropriate energy solutions including wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal can contribute to a sustainable future for Alaskan villages. By recognizing the untapped resources along the Alaskan coast, working together and embracing customized solutions, these communities can address their energy generation needs effectively while reducing their dependence on costly and environmentally harmful fossil fuel imports.

Maybe this is a silly idea or would never work...what do you think. Let me know chad.nordlum@qira.org

Article Worth Reading

​“Five Organizations Turning Community Solar Into Savings for Low-Income Americans” by Nicole Steele

I love reading articles about people I know doing great things, especially when they are recognized at higher levels. This article also reminded me I was planning and article about community solar on rooftops and PCE disincentives, but that will have to wait.

Quote

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."
― Jimmy Dean​
​​
I love getting feedback, please email: chad.nordlum@qira.org and tell me what you thought.
Have a wonderful weekend.
​
Take care,
​
Chad

​P.S. Sign up by clicking the link below to get this newsletter every week.

​SUBSCRIBE HERE!​