Fueling fairbanks: the University of Alaska Fairbanks has received research money to help explore energy alternatives.

AuthorJones, Patricia

A dozen energy-related research projects have received more than 2 million in federal funding under a cooperative agreement between the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory.

The DOE money helps fund research in a variety of areas, ranging from determining the best use of a conventional energy source--coal--to continued laboratory development of cutting-edge technology involved in tapping an unconventional energy resource--gas hydrates.

Projects fall under one of two categories: remote power research or fossil energy research. Funds are allocated through the recently formed Arctic Energy Technology Development Laboratory (AETDL), part of DOE's Office of Fossil Energy, through a competitive proposal process.

All of the projects involve some sort of local match or cost share funds, whether it comes in the form of cash or in-kind contributions such as personnel, equipment or use of existing facilities, said Brent Sheets, the Arctic Energy office representative for the National Energy Technology Lab, part of DOE's Office of Fossil Energy.

While the immediate economic impact to the local community and to the state is negligible, the long-term spin-off could be great, said Sheets.

"Two to three years down the road, we hope to see lower electric costs and encourage more oil exploration, which obviously would be a benefit to the community," he said. "Those are the two areas we are emphasizing--affordable and reliable power, and oil and gas development."

Two fuel cell projects received the bulk of 2002 funding from DOE. Other remote power projects funded in 2002 include development and testing of a tilt-up guyed tower and foundation system for a wind turbine in Kotzebue; development of software and hardware for remote monitoring of a village power system; and design of a remote-operated hybrid power system that uses solar, wind and a back-up gasoline generator.

Fossil energy projects funded in 2002 include a tundra pond field study, a performance test of low-rank coal mined from Usibelli Coal Mine and lab oratory research using carbon dioxide in the recovery of methane gas.

Roughly two-thirds of the project funding stays in Alaska. said Dennis Witmer, UAF coordinator for AETDL. Most of that is spent on salaries for researchers.

The remaining one-third goes to purchase specialized equipment used in the energy research projects, such as specialized fuel cells, which are built Outside.

"Those companies look toward Alaska as the first potential niche market for their products," Witmer said.

INDUSTRY PANEL INVOLVED IN FUNDING ALLOCATION

Rather than term the federal assistance as a grant, the DOE funding is considered a cooperative agreement, awarded by contract with the research team.

"That...

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