Results: Calendar of Events
November 8, 2009
A deep seawater air-conditioning system provides cooling for facilities at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.(nelha.org)
From Kate Galbraith at the NYT’s Green Inc. Blog: In today’s “Business of Green” special section, I write about how Lockheed Martin and other companies are exploring an early-stage technology to generate electricity from the ocean. The technology, called “ocean thermal,” uses the temperature difference between warm surface water in the tropics and the ocean’s chilly depths to make power. Read more
November 6, 2009
A very cool essay posted today on Alaska Dispatch: Earlier this year, the Alaska Federation of Natives sponsored Native Insight: Thoughts on Recession, Recovery & Opportunity, an essay contest that asked competitors to offer their perspectives on the current economic and political landscape, as well as thoughts and ideas related to economic renewal. Seven winners were recognized at AFN’s annual convention in Anchorage in October, and they will share $60,000 in prize money. Alaska Dispatch is pleased to be able to publish the winning essays, which will appear over the course of this week. The following is Harold Frank Jr.’s winning essay, “Renewing our future.”
By Harold Frank Jr.
Ibelieve the key to economic renewal in rural Alaska begins with providing good education and career training for any tribal member that wants to improve their world. Economic and social advances must begin and end with our tribal members becoming competitive. Education and career training provide maximum flexibility in the workplace.
I am a current graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree at Central Washington University. The topic of my thesis is “Developing Tidal Energy in Angoon, Alaska.” I decided to explore renewable energy alternatives because methods to reduce the burdensome cost of energy would be welcomed by fellow tribal members in my hometown. My personal vision is to identify a need and educate myself to fill the void. Education is the key. Read more
November 6, 2009
Susitna Energy Systems crews attach the blades on a Skytream 3.7 turbine at Sherrod Elementary School in Palmer on Nov. 6, 2009. The turbine will be used primarily for educational purposes, but will also produce power for the school.
1/7/10 Update: The Sherrod turbine now has its own web page where you can watch in real time how much power its producing.
Congratulations to Sherrod Elementary in Palmer which today put up the state’s first wind turbine at a school. The turbine – a Skystream 3.7 installed by Susitna Energy Systems, Inc. – will provide power to the school, but will primarily be an educational tool for students.
The 51-foot tall turbine could also be the first in Alaska to be part of a national program called “Wind For Schools.” There’s an ongoing effort by many groups, including REAP and the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, to add Alaska to the list of six states that are part of the program. Wind for Schools is run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which is based in Colorado and is the federal government’s key research center for renewable energy.
The project was a community effort with Matanuska Electric Association, Mat-Su Borough, Mat-Su Borough School District, Local Rotary 5010 and JD Steel all pitching in volunteer help. Principal Mark Hoffman estimated the total cost of the project at about $29,000 not including the many in-kind contributions. To see more photos, click here
Also additional coverage in the Frontiersman and on KTUU
Skystream turbine at BIONIC Chiropractic (Courtesy Joe Hawkins)
The turbine is the second installed recently in Palmer. BIONIC Chiropractic owner Joseph Hawkins installed a Skystream 3.7 in October at his office on Arctic Avenue. While too soon to say how much the turbine has saved on his electric bills, Hawkins said he’s managed to sell a little power back to Matanuska Electric Association. Hawkins, whose parents installed solar panels on their Utah home in the 1970s, said he hopes the turbine will serve as an example for the community.
For those who might be interested in their own project and like to know the numbers, he said the overall project cost was about $22,000. Hawkins, however, estimated the total cost would have been about $15,000 outside city limits because of the cost of complying with city regulations.
Alaska’s Wind for Schools program to launch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 5, 2009
Fairbanks, Alaska—Wind for Schools, a nationwide program connecting schoolchildren to green energy will get its start in Alaska Friday, Nov. 6 at Sherrod Elementary School in Palmer. Installation of the program’s first wind turbine will begin at 9:15 a.m.
The Alaska Center for Energy and Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is leading the Wind for Schools program in Alaska, along with partners Renewable Energy Alaska Project and the National Renewable Energy Lab. The program is part of the federal Department of Energy and matches elementary schools with universities. Schools host a small wind generator and implement a corresponding curriculum, while college students provide the technical knowledge and support.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Palmer residents and students as well as for the university,” said ACEP director Gwen Holdmann. “The Wind for Schools program helps students develop a knowledge base and skill set in science and energy and supports workforce development and community involvement for students in elementary school through college.”
Sherrod Elementary’s proactive approach and motivated staff made the school a natural choice to launch the program in Alaska.
“This program will provide students with a way to explore basic ideas about energy in a hands-on environment,” said Mark Hoffman, principal of Sherrod Elementary. “We look forward to what the kids will take home and out into the world from this experience.”
ACEP and its partners are planning to expand the program to 10 Alaska schools over the next year and are seeking funding through the state’s Renewable Energy Fund.
CONTACT: Kat Keith, coordinator, at 907-590-0751 or kmkeith@alaska.edu. Julie Estey at 907-474-1144 or julie.estey@alaska.edu.
November 19, 2009 12:00 am to November 22, 2009 12:00 am
Presented by the Palmer Arts Council and featuring FIVE movies: Good Food, Fresh, Eating Alaska, Ingredients and Voices From the Field. Most start at 7 pm (except Sunday) If you want a pdf flyer with all the info email Mark at m.masteller@acat.org.
In celebration of yet another great Bioneers in Alaska conference, and to continue the inspiration, education and connections found there: Please join us for a viewing of Garbage Warrior, “The epic story of radical Earthship eco architect Michael Reynolds, and his fight to build off-the-grid self-sufficient communities.”
Thursday, November 12th, 7:30 at Out North (3800 Debarr Rd). Free and open to the public.
{Conference volunteers, please come an hour early for a potluck celebration! RSVP to Amy at amyhettinger@gmail.com}
What do beer cans, car tires and water bottles have in common? Not much unless you’re renegade architect Michael Reynolds, in which case they are tools of choice for producing thermal mass and energy-independent housing. For 30 years New Mexico-based Reynolds and his green disciples have devoted their time to advancing the art of “Earthship Biotecture” by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. However, these experimental structures that defy state standards create conflict between Reynolds and the authorities, who are backed by big business. Frustrated by antiquated legislation, Reynolds lobbies for the right to create a sustainable living test site. While politicians hum and ha, Mother Nature strikes, leaving communities devastated by tsunamis and hurricanes. Reynolds and his crew seize the opportunity to lend their pioneering skills to those who need it most. Shot over three years and in four countries, Garbage Warrior is a timely portrait of a determined visionary, a hero of the 21st century.
(description from http://www.garbagewarrior.com/)
The Senate Energy/Resources Committee will meet in Anchorage at the Legislative Information Offices, 716 W. 4th Avenue, in the 2nd Floor Conference Room on Tuesday, November 10th, at 2:00 p.m. to hear public testimony on the DRAFT Energy Plan and Program Recommendations.
If you cannot make the meeting in person, you can participate via teleconference by dialing 1-888-295-4546.
November 5, 2009
From APRN: The Naknek Electric Association was recently awarded the 4th largest grant in the nation from the latest round of federal energy stimulus funds to push the development of a geothermal power plant in Bristol Bay. The grant was part of $338M awarded nationwide by the U.S. Department of Energy to spur geothermal work. To hear the APRN story about Naknek, click here
Other Alaska projects that received funding were:
*$4.6 million to University of Alaska Fairbanks to test of combination of exploration techniques to assess the geothermal resource at Pilgrim Hot Springs near Nome. For more info, click here
*$2.25 million to the Trabits Group LLC, working in various locations including Wasilla and Fairbanks, to develop an improved cement for high temperature geothermal wells.
To read more about the grants awarded, go here
November 4, 2009
From APRN’s Libby Casey: Alaskans, including REAP Executive Director Chris Rose, gave their input to top members of the Interior Department on Monday at a Clean Energy Economic Forum in Washington DC. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and others, including Bureau of Indian Affairs head Larry EchoHawk gathered at the White House for discussions on renewable energy and climate change. To hear the full story, click here
ACCAP Monthly Alaska Climate Webinar topic is CHANGES TO PERMAFROST IN ALASKA: OBSERVATIONS and MODELING led by VLADIMIR ROMANOVSKY, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Observed and predicted climatic changes will inevitably change the energy and mass fluxes at the land surface and, as a result, the near-surface and subsurface physical conditions in the Alaskan Arctic and Sub-Arctic. This will trigger changes in ecosystems and infrastructure because the stability of these systems in the north relies on the stability of ice that, so far, holds these systems together. If recent warming trends in the Arctic continue, it will take several centuries to millennia for permafrost to disappear completely in the areas where it is now actively warming and thawing. In losing permafrost, we are losing the stability of these systems. Negative consequences of this degradation will be pronounced from the very beginning because the highest ice content in permafrost is usually found in the upper few tens of meters. In this presentation we will discuss possible effects of degrading permafrost in the Alaskan Arctic and Sub-Arctic on hydrology, ecosystems, infrastructure, and the carbon cycle. Registration is strongly encouraged! Please fill out the web-form at: http://www.uaf.edu/accap/teleconference.htm#register or contact: Brook Gamble, Outreach and Education Specialist, at 907) 474-7812 or email accap@uaf.edu. For directions on how to Participate / Call and Log-In to the Webinar: http://www.uaf.edu/accap/teleconference.htm. To join us in person: If you are in Fairbanks, go to ACCAP/SNAP’s new office: Floor 2 of the Denali Building, 3354 College Road.
November 19, 2009
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Do you ever wonder what local resources exist to build sustainable communities? Rich Seifert is an Energy and Housing Specialist with the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Community gardens, home weatherization, renewable energy, education, and local organizations are topics that will be discussed. The Transition Towns Movement will also be introduced by Sharon Ferguson.
Suggested donation $5.
Thursday, November 19 from 7:00 – 9:30
Location – The Den in the Student Union, UAA
For directions to the Student Union http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/map/ Student Union 2921 Spirit Way. The den is located on the bottom floor next to the cafeteria.
For questions, contact Terri Brown at 947-8217 or terrib@artlover.com for more information
