DECD0000069

This project aims to deploy high-penetration solar PV and battery storage systems into existing microgrids in eight remote tribal communities currently relying on diesel for 100% of their electrical production.

All eight tribal communities are inaccessible by road and have limited seasonal accessibility by boat or small airplane, which leads to electricity costs that are more than four times higher than the national average.

In collaboration with the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, the project team plans to modernize grid infrastructure, provide job training to tribal communities and develop Alaska’s largest tribally owned and operated independent power producer (IPP).

The project will strive to offset the region’s diesel consumption by 40%, which will lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,550 metric tons per year over the project’s 25-year lifespan.

As part of its community benefits plan, this project aims to improve grid reliability, enhance air quality, and decrease community energy burdens with potential savings of more than $100,000 annually.

Moreover, the tribal ownership model is projected to generate a net income of $150,000 annually, which can be shared with tribal governments and used to develop future renewable projects in tribal communities across the region.

The project team plans to engage with the communities through radio, online/print publications, and quarterly engagement meetings with village councils, and establish a utility board of tribal leaders from across the region to oversee the newly established IPP.

Dena Nena Henash

PROJECT OBJECTIVES 1. ANVIK. IN THE VILLAGE OF ANVIK, AK, CONSTRUCT AND COMMENCE OPERATIONS OF AT LEAST 0.1 MW OF SOLAR GENERATION, AT LEAST 0.2 MWH OF BATTERY ELECTRIC STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS) CAPACITY, AND A MICROGRID TO BALANCE SOLAR, DIESEL, AND BESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. 2. GRAYLING. IN THE VILLAGE OF GRAYLING, AK, CONSTRUCT AND COMMENCE OPERATIONS OF AT LEAST 0.2 MW OF SOLAR GENERATION, AT LEAST 0.4 MWH OF BESS CAPACITY, AND A MICROGRID TO BALANCE SOLAR, DIESEL, AND BESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. 3. HOLY CROSS. IN THE VILLAGE OF HOLY CROSS, AK, CONSTRUCT AND COMMENCE OPERATIONS OF AT LEAST 0.2 MW OF SOLAR GENERATION, AT LEAST 0.4 MWH OF BESS CAPACITY, AND A MICROGRID TO BALANCE SOLAR, DIESEL, AND BESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. 4. HUSLIA. IN THE VILLAGE OF HUSLIA, AK, CONSTRUCT AND COMMENCE OPERATIONS OF AT LEAST 0.3 MW OF SOLAR GENERATION, AT LEAST 0.6 MWH OF BESS CAPACITY, AND A MICROGRID TO BALANCE SOLAR, DIESEL, AND BESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. 5. KALTAG. IN THE VILLAGE OF KALTAG, AK, CONSTRUCT AND COMMENCE OPERATIONS OF AT LEAST 0.2 MW OF SOLAR GENERATION, AT LEAST 0.4 MWH OF BESS CAPACITY, AND A MICROGRID TO BALANCE SOLAR, DIESEL, AND BESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. 6. MINTO. IN THE VILLAGE OF MINTO, AK, CONSTRUCT AND COMMENCE OPERATIONS OF AT LEAST 0.2 MW OF SOLAR GENERATION, AT LEAST 0.4 MWH OF BESS CAPACITY, AND A MICROGRID TO BALANCE SOLAR, DIESEL, AND BESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. 7. NULATO. IN THE VILLAGE OF NULATO, AK, CONSTRUCT AND COMMENCE OPERATIONS OF AT LEAST 0.3 MW OF SOLAR GENERATION, AT LEAST 0.6 MWH OF BESS CAPACITY, AND A MICROGRID TO BALANCE SOLAR, DIESEL, AND BESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. 8. SHAGELUK. IN THE VILLAGE OF SHAGELUK, AK, CONSTRUCT AND COMMENCE OPERATIONS OF AT LEAST 0.1 MW OF SOLAR GENERATION, AT LEAST 0.2 MWH OF BESS CAPACITY, AND A MICROGRID TO BALANCE SOLAR, DIESEL, AND BESS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. 9. FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGES IDENTIFIED, INCREASE RELIABILITY OF THE ELECTRIC GRID, IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND LOWER ENERGY COSTS BY REDUCING DIESEL CONSUMPTION.

81.255 - Clean Energy Demonstrations

Department of Energy (DOE)

Alaska United States

State-Wide

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0002970)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 528% from $4,149,099 to $26,062,370.