Why MultiPower-Local?

Pilgrim Hot Springs The AEA Energy Pathway

Village leaders from the Bering
Strait Region used the term Multi-
Power during an energy meeting in
Nome last year. With MultiPower,
each community reduces the need
for 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.
Many might benefit from a Univer-
sity of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
geothermal study this summer and
next at Pilgrim Hot Springs near
Nome. The project’s main goal is to
prove 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 study
lava flows under volcanoes and to
(Continued on page 4)
The Alaska Energy Authority
(AEA) wants rural communities to
consider adding energy projects to
their list of priorities. Rural com-
munities recently got a hint at how
instabilities 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 Wind Energy 101

Wales is windy, it’s a good place to test cutting
edge 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 village’s electricity
and some of its heating with the wind, and for die-
sel generators to be turned off on windy days.
(Continued on page 7)
Wind energy is unlikely to reach its full potential until
some key problems are solved. The better everybody un-
derstands rural Alaska’s 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 don’t normally have to deal with.
(Continued on page 8)

1
 Governor Parnell Signs
Alaska Sustainable Energy Act
Governor Parnell signed , same name that is already in
“The Alaska Sustainable En-
ergy Act SB220” today. The
bill aims to reduce fossil fuel
dependence and stabilize en-
ergy costs, and to create jobs
through conservation, effi-
ciency, and local and renew-
able energy. It is the first act to
make codified changes to
Alaska law in pursuit of the
intent and policies laid down in
HB306 (see back page).
Leading by example, the state
will 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 be
put to use in communities
throughout the state.
While high fuel prices hurt, at
the same time state revenues
rise. A new program automati-
cally uses some of this in-
creased revenue to lessen the
impact of higher heating fuel
prices on Alaska’s 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
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/26/Bills/SB0220Z.PDF
By Walter H Rose
June 16, 2010
place. Now state and federal
funds can work together to solve
key energy problems and bring
solutions to market faster.
Nuclear Energy may be the only
alternative to fossil fuel in some
remote communities. Manufac-
turers claim nuclear energy is
safer and that small reactors,
suitable for rural Alaska, are
available. Communities with few
other options can now explore
the possibility of nuclear power.
Two revolving loan funds are
created to assist municipalities, and conservation training and
educational institutions, and education outreach program.
businesses, with conservation SB220 is long and complex.
and efficiency improvements and This is just a general overview.
alternative energy systems. If you want to see the real
Municipalities now have the op- thing, follow the link at the
tion of offering an incentive for bottom of the page.
renewable energy improvements Perhaps it is not as important
by exempting them from the as- where we are in life as what
sessed value of a home direction we are headed. To-
Within one year the governor’s day’s energy legislation ap-
office must complete a study on pears to head Alaska away
the costs and benefits of creating from depending on unstable
a separate Alaska Department of world fossil fuel markets and
Energy. toward a future of conserva-
While energy officials have tion, efficiency, and sustain-
been doing it on their own for able local and renewable en-
years, the new law requires a ergy supplies. This might be a
yearly public energy efficiency good thing.
Link to SB220
Energy Specialist, Kawerak Inc. Email: wrose@kawerak.org
Phone: 907-443-4366 Fax 907-443-4449
2
 Parnell Signs HB306
Energy Legislative Intent & Policy
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

It is the Alaska State Legislature’s intent that:

The state achieve a 15% per-capita increase in energy efficiency by 2020
50% of the state’s 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
Alaska’s 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.

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

3
(Pilgrim, Continued from page 1) The airborne survey might be of equipment should be arriving in
investigate coal fires underground. particular interest to some of our early August. Villages interested in
If they succeed, the cost of geother- villages. Some suspect they have discussing this with UAF, if they
mal exploration could come down. geothermal resources nearby, but have not already done so, please
The project might also benefit this has been difficult to verify be- call me so I can point them in the
some of the region. Previous stud- cause the country around them is so right direction.
ies suggest it could make economic rugged. If the UAF is right, and As I write this article scientists are
sense for Nome, Teller, and possi- their new method works, it might beginning their work. Summers are
bly even Kotzebue to get power be possible to get lots of informa- short in the Bering Strait Region so
from Pilgrim. These studies con- tion without ever setting foot on the things are likely to happen fast. Fu-
clude by saying more information is ground. ture editions of the MultiPower-
needed. UAF will be getting some While no firm commitment has Local will continue the story and
of that information this summer. been made, UAF appears willing to keep readers posted with the latest
The UAF project includes a com- discuss the possibility of flying information and news.
prehensive economic analysis as over areas around villages to look
soon as they know more. for suspected springs. The airborne

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

4
(AEA Pathway Continued from page 1)
Energy is now a priority for the
state of Alaska. The governor re-
cently signed HB306 into law (see
article p3). It sets goals for energy
efficiency, conservation, and re-
newable energy. Like many of us,
the State has been thinking about
energy for a long time. Now they
have put it down in writing. The
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
would like rural communities to
consider doing the same.
Some seem to feel that previous
energy planning efforts in Alaska
fell short because they took too
much of a top down “take it or
leave it” approach. The strategy
this time is to include community
leaders in the planning process.
They want to move forward with
something communities believe in.
Last April, as part of an ongoing
energy 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 fossil
fuel dependence by adopting local
and renewable energy supplies.
The AEA’s Energy Pathway in-
cludes a detailed energy assess-
ment of every community in rural
Alaska. It outlines ways each
might contribute to the state’s
overall conservation, efficiency,
and renewable energy goals.
“AEA’s 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 specific
projects 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 that
this will happen with local buy-in
and support.
The AEA looks at each commu-
nity’s 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 tells
them the projects AEA will most
likely support and how much AEA
thinks they will cost. If their esti-
mates don’t seem realistic or their
timelines and goals are not in line
with your community’s priorities
the AEA needs to hear from you
now.
5
What you can do
I will be sending leaders of each
community 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 with
each village to discuss their assess-
ment some time in July.
Between now and then leaders
should view their assessment in
the context of other community
priorities. Ask how important re-
ducing your community exposure
to fossil fuel related risk is in rela-
tion to other plans. What level of
commitment is your community
willing to make. In this context,
does the AEA assessment make
sense?
Last year villages in our region
passed resolutions supporting local
and renewable energy develop-
ment. Now villages, if they haven’t
already, 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 AEA’s assessment is important
to you.
Example AEA Assessment
The table below shows an exam-
ple of what the summary page of a
community assessment might look
like. The top section of the chart
looks at Electricity, the bottom
section at heating. The first col-
umn shows current conditions.
The Second “Immediate” column
estimates how much it will cost to
attain the governor’s 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 haven’t 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 AEA’s 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 to
use 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 Alaska’s People. (AEA Director)
6
(Wales Wind Continued from page 1)
The system worked for a while but
it 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 a
retrofit 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 had a recurring problem
with their tip brakes and, each time
it happened, a technician had to fly
in from Kotzebue to fix it.
Costs piled up to the point that
wind power looked pretty expen-
sive compared to diesel. At some
point the decision was made to shut
things down.
Summer 2008 offered a 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 along
since Wales was installed. High
penetration wind looks much more
doable from a technical perspective.
Don’t get me wrong though, even
ten years down the road, high pene-
tration wind in a village is still
likely 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.
KEA’s grant proposal reveals a
plan to fix the turbines, upgrade the
system’s 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 in
rural Alaska.
7
I spoke with Kat Keith and Gwen
Holdmann, from the Alaska Center
For 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 passionate
about getting Wales back on line
and proving high-penetration wind
is viable. Proving it works in Wales
might 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 report
that the turbines aren’t in that bad
of shape. They hope to be ready to
return next month with what they
think they need to bring the tur-
bines back on line. Future issues of
the MultiPower Local and of The
Bolt will keep readers up to date
with the happenings in Wales as the
project proceeds.
(Wind Energy 101—Continued from page 1)
With a mini-grid, as you increase the Kotzebue Electric Plans to Test
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, expressed as a percentage of
total power, is the word used to describe
how much of a village’s electricity comes
from the wind. Little more is needed than
wind turbines and controllers with low
penetration 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 the
village’s 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 village’s 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 all
this. 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 Expensive
Wind 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 supplies
some 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 systems help solve some of the problems, but the types available today either don’t work in
Alaska (because they freeze solid), or they are really expensive. Scientists have been working hard trying to
solve the 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 Emerging
Technology grant funded vanadium redox flow battery test in Kotzebue (see drawing). Flywheel storage is also
emerging. In Antarctica systems are reported to be approaching 90% penetration. I wouldn’t be surprised to
see flywheel storage coming to our region soon.
(Continued on page 9)

8
 pensate for this fact. In theory,
(Wind Energy 101 Continued from page 8) three local laborers; one day for
Wind Studies when airport data is “scaled up” to setup, one day for tear-down.
It is risky to invest a lot of money higher above the ground where the Somebody in the village will also
in wind turbines before knowing turbine hub will be, the 35% error need to keep an eye on the instru-
exactly how strong the wind is at a jumps to 75%. The size of the er- ments and collect data from time to
site. Scientists conduct a wind ror that actually results depends on time.
study so they can figure out how many other factors as well. It could Wind Data Online
much power the wind can generate. turn out to be more or less. The bot- You can find a wind study online
It takes at least a year to complete tom line, however, is that taking for almost every place that turbines
a wind study. Avoid the temptation short cuts with wind data can be a are installed in Alaska. The first
of cutting corners and keep the fol- mistake. place to look is the AEA’s Alaska
lowing in mind. Wind studies in this region should Wind Resource Data web page (see
Using calibrated instruments, in- use a heated anemometer (wind- link). It is interesting, check it out.
stalling them where the turbines
will be located, and putting them at Wind Resource Data Online
the right height above the ground www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindresourcedata.html
all help reduce the risk of bad data.
Do not use wind data from old speedometer). Usually they don’t Planned Studies this Summer
aviation or weather stations. The freeze solid, they just slow down. Several surveys are planned start-
instruments they use are not accu- Data from an iced up anemometer ing this summer in our region.
rate enough, they are usually in- is difficult to tell from accurate Golovin and White Mountain plan
stalled at the wrong location, and data. to use Recovery Act funding to
they are measuring the wind speed AEA wind study Assistance conduct a study on a hill between
at the wrong height above the Working with the anemometer loan their two villages. AVEC is plan-
ground. program at the Alaska Energy Au- ning three studies, one between
Small errors in measurements close thority (AEA) can help villages Stebbins and Saint Michael, one
to the ground can mushroom
into huge errors in estimates of AEA wind study Assistance—James Jensen (907)771-3403
how much wind energy you www.akenergyauthority.org/programwindlanemometerloan.html
might produce because: the
amount of energy in the wind var-
ies with the cube (third power) of save money, time, and avoid costly between Teller and Brevig Mission,
the wind speed. A 10% error in mistakes. The AEA has equipment and one near Shaktoolik.
measured wind speed results in a available for loan, and can provide Good wind data is valuable.
35% error in estimated power pro- technical assistance. Currently the In the lower 48 proven data can be
duction. AEA’s program requires villages to worth millions. If it leads to energy
The wind blows faster up high. En- pay for equipment transportation, independence, for some in rural
gineers normally “scale” data col- travel, and per-diem for the AEA’s Alaska, it could be priceless.
lected close to the ground to com- technician, and the cost of two or

9

Who is this guy?
I am MultiPower-Local’s 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 a
doctor who specializes in cancer
treatment.
My mother Darlene Smith, is
from a small citrus farming town
of Santa Paula, about 150 miles
northwest of Pasadena.
Joseph Holt of Kentucky, my
great uncle on my father’s 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 lot
to help bring it to an end. That is
why I always use the “H” when I
write my name.
Scottish Clan Rose
Hunting Tartan Formal Tartan
I have a Master of Business and a
Master of Science in Information Kawerak Energy
Systems Management from the
Drucker School of Management at
Claremont Graduate University in
California (MBA/MIS), and a BA Phone:(907)443-4366
in Economics from UC Santa
Cruz. Fax: (907)443-4449
Early in my career I worked as
the buyer for a Japanese multina- Email: wrose@kawerak.org
tional machine tool manufacturer.
After the Japanese, I spent about
Web: www.kawerak.org
fifteen years running my own
business that wrote software. That MultiPower-Local publishes
eventually got so boring I couldn’t news and information of in-
stay awake so I entered the scrap terest to the Native Villages
metals business. of the Bering Strait Region of
That landed me in Nome and I
have been here ever since. I have
Western Alaska.
been working as Kawerak’s en-
ergy specialist for more than a Please feel free to send your
year. I hope to be here long comments and suggestions.
enough to see this region’s energy
problems solved.
10