Alternative energy: the new age of power; while not expected to replace traditional fossil fuels, alternative energy resources can be particularly useful in remote areas of the state not currently served by the existing power grid.

• Author: Jones, Patricia
• Position: Alaska, energy use - Statistical Data Included

Alaska's vast supply of traditional energy sources--oil, natural gas and coal-is well known throughout the world. Using conventional and developing recovery methods, these underground accumulations can and will supply energy for years to come.

Yet industry experts here and throughout the United States are looking at ways to develop alternative energy sources, to augment reliance on traditional fossil fuels and to help reduce emissions related to those power sources.

Currently, fossil fuels provide 85 percent of the nation's energy consumption, according to the National Energy Technology Laboratory, one of the U.S. Department of Energy's 17 national labs.

That percentage of fossil fuel reliance is even greater here in Alaska. According to R.B. Stiles, president of DRven Corp., 85 percent to 90 percent of Alaska's electrical power comes from coal, natural gas or diesel generators located within the state's railbelt.

"Except for Southeast, virtually all nonrailbelt generation is diesel based," Stiles said, during an energy conference held at the University of Alaska Fairbanks this spring.

That's with the exception of some hydropower electric generators used in Southeast Alaska, he added.

While adequate supplies of fossil fuels have been identified nationwide, and work continues to mitigate environmental impacts from consuming those traditional energy resources, NETL and other research entities are working to develop alternative sources of energy.

And in the field of alternative energy, Alaska can offer significant resources--wind, solar, hydro and fuel cell power projects, as well as research and development of unconventional fossil fuel sources.

While not expected to replace traditional fossil fuels, such alternative energy resources can be particularly useful in remote areas of the state not currently served by the existing power grid.

From small, weekend cabins to year-round residences to small villages, all can benefit from combining existing natural resources such as wind, sun and water currents with advancing technologies in conventional energy sources.

And continued research in nontraditional fuels, such as gas-to-liquids and methane gas, offers hope to larger, rural communities for a more affordable electric power supply.

CHUGACH EXPLORES ENERGY ALTERNATIVES

Although Chugach Electric Association provides its customers throughout Alaska's railbelt with conventionally powered electricity, alternatives to these traditional generators are currently being explored and developed.

"We believe our customers want us to investigate alternatives," said Steve Gilbert, manager of energy projects development, operation and maintenance at Chugach. "We have seen an upsurge in the number of customers who ask about on-site generation, and there is a great deal of interest in renewable energy."

On-site electric generation involves equipment located at a utility customer's facility, whether it be an office complex, a warehouse or other large building. Whether using traditional power generation sources on a smaller...