April 2009

Insufficient numbers of users and industries exist in most of Alaska to support large-scale utilities. Distribution systems must be constructed in very rough country, which increase costs and accessibility for repairs….Alternative small-scale power systems have a place in rural Alaska. Potential improvements in power distribution, generation and efficiency are available to residents of Alaska. Distribution performance can be improved by the use of small-scale power generators. Smaller generators can be placed much closer to the actual point of power consumption. Disruptions to the power supply are reduced and access for line repairs is much easier. Short power lines lose less power in transmission, and the power delivered is also “cleaner”, since there are fewer opportunities for broken insulators and lightning storms. The generation of power is changing with improvements to technology. Small-scale power generation can take many forms. At a village level, there are gas or diesel fired co-generation systems available. Co-generation means there is an effort made to produce power efficiently and utilize the waste heat for community needs. Fuel cells are becoming feasible. Communities that gain access to new natural gas pipelines may make good use of these. Hybrid generation systems seem to make good sense for rural users. A primary generator is powered by diesel or natural gas. By using a computerized inverter, large banks of storage batteries are charged while the generator is running. During periods of low consumption, the generator shuts down and the household runs off of power inverted from the batteries.

Tagged as: alan sorum, alaska, power grids

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