REAP is made up of a coalition of over 75 dues-paying member organizations that are at the heart and soul of our mission. Throughout the year, we will be highlighting some of these members in our Meet the Members series. We are so excited to be starting this series with one of our founding members, the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC).
What is the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative?
The Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) has been an energy provider in rural Alaska for more than 50 years. As a member-owned cooperative, our commitment to providing safe, reliable and affordable power has never been stronger.
How does clean energy align with your mission?
AVEC continuously seeks ways to improve efficiencies through implementation of new diesel technologies and integration of renewable generation, thus promoting member savings and reducing our carbon emissions.
What inspired AVEC to join REAP?
As a founding member of REAP, AVEC strives to provide direction to the goals of the organization and reap the benefit of collaborating with the people and organizations that are on the forefront of promoting renewable energy in Alaska.
What recent activities or projects would you like to share with the REAP community?
Renewable readiness projects have prepared the way for reducing the use of costly fuel in several AVEC communities. AVEC is proactive in improving engine and system efficiencies to our existing power plants and is focused on reducing diesel burn by integrating renewable generation and energy storage. New automated switchgear was recently installed in Noatak and Shungnak that allow the generators to work in conjunction with solar renewable. The installation of the Shungnak project is nearing completion and the Noatak project is expected to break ground next summer. AVEC anticipates the installation of its first battery storage in Shungnak next summer. AVEC has also begun upgrading the power plant controls in Wales, Marshall, New Stuyahok and Goodnews Bay.
learn more: shungnak power plant upgrades benefit the community and the solar project
Stay up to date with AVEC’s work
If you are interested in becoming a member of REAP, click here to apply or contact REAP’s Outreach Director, Donovan Russoniello, at drussoniello@realaska.org.