Alaska’s natural gas dilemma – Everyone agrees Cook Inlet needs help. No one agrees on how or where to get it. 

June 6, 2009

This article by Eric Lidji details the potential energy crisis that could result from Southcentral’s dependence on Cook Inlet natural gas for electricity and heat.

Deliverability, the ability of gas line companies to deliver natural gas to consumers, is dwindling, particularly at times of peak demand.  There are several options to fix this problem in the short term, but as gas reserves decline changes in gas supply or gas demand will be necessary.  Lidji explores the current problems facing gas producers, gasline suppliers and consumers, and potential solutions here.

5th Annual Alaska Renewable Energy Fair 

Join REAP for a day of live music, workshops, food, and fun at the 5th Annual Renewable Energy Fair!   This year’s music will include Justin Farren, Diana Z, Emily Kurn, Melissa Mitchell and Dan Lesperance, the Jack River Kings, Spiff, and the Whipsaws.  At the West Delaney Park Strip, 11 am to 9 pm.

REAP at the Alaska State Fair 

REAP will be at the Alaska State Fair August 27 – September 7!  Stop by our booth to learn the latest in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska, renew your membership, buy cool gear and great reads, or to pick up a copy of the updated Renewable Energy Atlas of Alaska.

REAP monthly forum – Southcentral energy plan 

6-8 pm at the Anchorage Museum auditorium

The supply of cheap, available natural gas is dwindling in Cook Inlet, and the Railbelt has tough choices to make to secure power for our homes and businesses for the coming decades. So where should that power come from and how do we ensure we make the right choices now to secure the best energy future?

Natural gas production in Cook Inlet is declining. Blue line shows current output. Red line is a projection of where demand could start to exceed supply. Natural gas currently supplies more than 90 percent of the power needs for Southcentral Alaska. To see a 2009 Powerpoint summarizing the Cook Inlet natural gas situation, click on the link on the bottom left.

Come hear what the state is doing to find solutions for powering Southcentral Alaska (and Fairbanks), and give your input at REAP’s free monthly energy forum.

Jim Strandberg, of the Alaska Energy Authority, will discuss the options being considered and talk about the Regional Integrated Resource Plan, a state-funded study that is a key element to answering those questions. The study, now out for public comment, analyzes a variety of options over the next 50 years from building an in-state gas pipeline to tapping geothermal and hydroelectric power. Securing a good, long-term supply of energy is one of the biggest issues facing the state. Come be a part of the discussion. For more information, call 929-7770 or email s.nowers@REalaska.org.

To download a copy of the draft Regional Integrated Resource Plan(RIRP), click here

2009 Energy Forum Powerpoint

REAP monthly forum – The Future of Commuter Rail 

A big thankyou to Bruce Carr, Director of  Strategic Planning for the Alaska Railroad, who gave an excellent and engaging update on plans for commuter rail service between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Borough. Progress has been made on commuter rail, but there is still much work to do, including getting a Regional Transit Authority established, which the currently proposed Senate Bill 152 seeks to do.

Bruce made several interesting points, including noting that while commuter rail will need to subsidized, the alternative – our road system – is also heavily subsidized with the federal government paying 90 percent of the cost of roads like the Glenn Highway. He also noted commuter rail has a long history in Anchorage dating back to 1979 and talk then of installing light rail along C Street and on Northern Lights Boulevard. Imagine where we would be now if we had put in such service, he said.

If you weren’t able to make the forum, you can look at at Bruce’s PowerPoint by clicking here.

We hope to catch you next month, Dec. 9 at the Anchorage Museum, when Jim Strandberg of the Alaska Energy Authority, will present an udpate on the state’s Regional Integrated Resource Plan.

For more information, contact REAP at 929-7770 or s.nowers@REalaska.org.

Energy-efficient lighting dos and don’ts 

Many thanks to David Badger, of Brown’s Electrical Supply, for his presentation at our Oct. 7, 2009 Monthly Forum on the dos and don’ts of energy-efficient lighting. We had many folks unable to attend. REAP has posted the PowerPoint from his presentation below as well as two information sheets that cover the basics of energy-efficient lighting and what to look for on lighting bulb labels. David made some key points during his presentation. We can’t cover them all. But in the category of never, never do this, he said:

-       Do not use CFLs on a dimmer switch unless they are specifically rated as dimmable. This can be a fire hazard. The packaging should say whether they are rated to be on a dimmer switch.

-       Do not totally enclose CFL bulbs unless they are specifically rated to be enclosed. Otherwise they can overheat and burn out. Again, look for the information on the package.

-       Don’t put CFLs in recessed cans unless they are reflector bulbs. These are the bulbs that are cone shaped and have the silver coating on the back. This will keep the light and heat pointed down instead of wasting it inside the recessed area. It can also cause overheating if you use a bulb not specifically designed for recessed lighting application.

-       For outdoor lighting, find bulbs rated to start up in cold weather. Panasonic makes a bulb that has a minimum starting temperature of minus 22 degrees. Wow! Some bulbs are rated to go even colder, down to minus 40 degrees.

Do look for Energy Star-rated bulbs. This is a government-backed program. To get the rating, the bulbs have been indepedently tested on a number of factors including their longevity and that they start up quickly and don’t have that lag time before they come to full strength.

On LEDs, David said they’ve come a long way but are, in most cases, still not cost effective in terms of the amount of light you get compared to cost. They also can produce undesired lighting effects such as halo lighting, where it creates a dark hole in the center of where the light is shining. LEDs are, however, excellent in some applications such as under cabinets for lighting counters, for highlighting items in show cases such as in jewelry stores, and in high, hard to reach spots where people want to minimize the number of times they have to change a bulb.

David relayed lots of humorous personal stories with lighting and brought some fun to look at designs with him. One that drew lots of oohs and aahs was a combination CFL and LED. It had the traditional curlicue CFL, but then inside the curlicue on the base of the light were two small LEDs. With one click, you could have the full strength CFL. Click again and just the two LEDs would come on giving off a nightlight-like glow.  That was cool. If you have more questions, feel free to call me at 929-7770 or send an email to s.nowers@realaska.org

More Information:

About CFLs
Reading the label

PowerPoint Presentation by David Badger

REAP monthly forum 

6-8 pm at the Anchorage Museum
Topic: TBA

Wind/Diesel Hybrid Systems: An Alaska answer to high rural energy costs 

REAP’s June forum will feature information on the technology and application of wind/diesel hybrid systems in rural Alaska.  Join us at the Anchorage Museum June 24, 6 – 8 pm.

CHENA HOT SPRINGS – 2009 RENEWABLE ENERGY FAIR 

Held from 10am to 6pm at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, this year a revolutionary mobile organic rankine cycle geothermal power plant (mobile ORC for short) will be unveiled to the public. In addition to the mobile ORC, new electric vehicles that could change the way we look at transportation here in Alaska will be showcased. You will actually have the opportunity to drive one yourself!

For the children we will have a kid’s activities center chock full of educational and fun science experiments (see schedule for details). There will be a face painter and a Lego robotics crash course. In addition to experiments there will also be a petting zoo where the children can feed various animals.

There will be demonstrations of creative sustainability concepts and alternative energy solutions that specifically address environmental challenges which Alaskans face every year. Complimentary transportation, food, and tours of our facilities available to all participants. A wide range of vendors and speakers from throughout Alaska and the country will be here. This is a great opportunity to spend an educational and fun day with your family at Chena Hot Springs Resort! For more information, contact Michael, go to Chena Hot Springs, or check out our Facebook!

Alaska Oceans Festival 

This year’s festival is headlining with the New Orleans/Brooklyn funk powerhouse the Pimps of Joytime. There will be lots of music, events, Run for the Waves 5K Information, Marine Treasure Hunt, and speakers and film.  On the West Delaney Park Strip, noon to 10 pm.