Alaskan Energy Infrastructure
Alaskan Energy Infrastructure (AEI) Project is a bold initiative to bring sustainable, community-driven energy solutions to Alaska, including remote regions. Guided by Indigenous insight and real-time collaboration, AEI will deliver actionable policy to the 2026 legislative session.
Renewable Energy Explained
Renewable energy is power that is gathered from natural phenomena, like tidal motion or the sun. Renewables typically do not involve the removal of resources from the environment, or infrastructure that has a permanent effect on the environment. Examples include wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric power.
Solar Energy
Solar energy captures light (photons) from the sun and converts those photons into electrons. Solar panels convert sunlight to electricity in a grid pattern, the larger the area of the panel or panels, the more energy is captured for use. This solar array in Shungnak, Alaska is designed to optimize energy capture during long daylight hours.
Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric power harnesses the directed flow of water (such as in a dam) to rotate turbines that generate an electric current. Technological diversions can even have underground rerouting that minimizes ecosystem impact. Salmon Creek Dam represents early 20th-century innovation in hydroelectric energy. Today, it provides 20% of Juneau’s total energy consumption.
Wind Power
Windmills have been in use for centuries to power grain mills. Modern wind technology employs turbines that capture the kinetic energy of air currents with spinning blades to generate electricity. Offshore wind in particular has the potential to capture almost 80 TWH/yr, almost 15 times more than current consumption of 5.2 TWH/yr. In Southcentral Alaska, on Fire Island (Natul’iv in Dena’ina Athabascan) an 11 turbine system provides energy for over 7000 homes.
Geothermal
Geothermal energy uses heat generated deep underground to heat water into steam, powering generators that produce electricity. Geothermal heat can also be directly used for heating and cooling buildings. Chena Hot springs generates a total capacity of 680 kW that runs on 165 degrees Fahrenheit water, the lowest temperature for an operating geothermal power plant in the world.
Biomass
Biomass encompasses a number of processes that convert organic matter, such as plants and animal waste, into usable energy sources like heat, electricity, or fuel. These various methods include burning, bacterial decay, and chemical conversion processes. The municipality of Anchorage converts landfill waste into methane which is combusted into up to 7 MW of electricity.
Wave and Tidal Energy
Wave energy utilizes the motion of ocean waves, while tidal energy utilizes the rise and fall of tides and tidal currents. Both technologies employ mechanical movement other mechanisms to convert the mechanical energy of the water into electricity. The American Tidal Energy Project will develop a system that will provide up to 5 MW of electricity.