HomeMy WebLinkAboutAEA REF Round 14 Akiachak Submission[4]Renewable Energy Fund Round 14
Grant Application – Standard Form
AEA 23001 Page 1 of 31 11/16/2021
SECTION 1 – APPLICANT INFORMATION
Please specify the legal grantee that will own, operate, and maintain the project upon completion.
Name (Name of utility, IPP, local government, or other government entity)
Akiachak Native Community
Tax ID # 92-0081755
Date of last financial statement audit:
Mailing Address: Physical Address:
PO Box 51070 51070 Main Street
Akiachak, AK 99551-1010 Akiachak, AK 99551
Telephone: Fax: Email:
(907) 825-4626 (907) 825-4029 tribaladmin@akiachak.org
1.1 Applicant Point of Contact / Grants Coordinator
Name: Title:
Edward George Tribal Administrator
Mailing Address:
PO Box 51070
Akiachak, AK 99551-1010
Telephone: Fax: Email:
(907) 825-2626 tribaladmin@akiachak.org
1.1.1 Applicant Signatory Authority Contact Information
Name:
Same as above Title:
Mailing Address:
Same as above
Telephone: Fax: Email:
1.1.2 N/A
1.2 Applicant Minimum Requirements
Please check as appropriate. If applicants do not meet the minimum requirements, the application
will be rejected.
1.2.1 Applicant Type
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☐ An electric utility holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity under AS 42.05
CPCN #______, or
☐ An independent power producer in accordance with 3 AAC 107.695 (a) (1)
CPCN #______, or
☐ A local government, or
☒ A governmental entity (which includes tribal councils and housing authorities)
Additional minimum requirements
☒ 1.2.2 Attached to this application is formal approval and endorsement for the project by the
applicant’s board of directors, executive management, or other governing authority. If the
applicant is a collaborative grouping, a formal approval from each participant’s governing
authority is necessary. (Indicate yes by checking the box)
☒ 1.2.3 As an applicant, we have administrative and financial management systems and follow
procurement standards that comply with the standards set forth in the grant agreement
(Section 3 of the RFA). (Indicate yes by checking the box)
☒ 1.2.4 If awarded the grant, we can comply with all terms and conditions of the award as
identified in the Standard Grant Agreement template at
https://www.akenergyauthority.org/What-We-Do/Grants-Loans/Renewable-Energy-
Fund/2021-REF-Application (Any exceptions should be clearly noted and submitted with the
application.) (Indicate yes by checking the box)
☒ 1.2.5 We intend to own and operate any project that may be constructed with grant funds for
the benefit of the general public. If no please describe the nature of the project and who will
be the primary beneficiaries. (Indicate yes by checking the box)
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SECTION 2 – PROJECT SUMMARY
2.1 Project Title
Provide a 4 to 7 word title for your project. Type in the space below.
Akiachak Wind Feasibility Study
2.2 Project Location
2.2.1 Location of Project – Latitude and longitude (preferred), street address, or
community name.
Latitude and longitude coordinates may be obtained from Google Maps by finding you project’s
location on the map and then right clicking with the mouse and selecting “What is here? The
coordinates will be displayed in the Google search window above the map in a format as follows:
61.195676.-149.898663. If you would like assistance obtaining this information, please contact
AEA’s Grants Coordinator by email at grants@akenergyauthority.org or by phone at (907) 771-
3081.
Latitude 60.9094° N Longitude 161.4314° W
[Other description of location]
The Community of Akiachak is 14 air miles from Bethel, with the villages of Tuluksak, Akiak, Kwethluk,
Napaskiak, Napakiak within a radius of 16 airmiles. Bethel, Napaskiak and Kwethluk have measured wind
resources demonstrated to be viable wind energy production.
Specific Site Location and Description:
Akiachak is located on the Kuskokwim river approximately 14 air miles from Bethel. The project proposes to
erect the meter tower in an open area southwest of the community, which has relatively good exposure to
winds coming from the north, and southwest. This study will determine the best potential locations for wind
turbines in the community, and determine the impacts the nearby vegetation has likely affected measurement
of wind from the north west, north, and north east.
2.2.2 Community benefiting – Name(s) of the community or communities that will be the
beneficiaries of the project.
Akiachak, Alaska, as well as other communities across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region and elsewhere
in Alaska with potentially viable wind resources will benefit significantly from this project.
2.3 Project Type
Please check as appropriate.
2.3.1 Renewable Resource Type
☒ Wind ! Biomass or Biofuels (excluding heat-only)
☐ Hydro, Including Run of River ! Hydrokinetic
☐ Geothermal, Excluding Heat Pumps ! Transmission of Renewable Energy
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☒ Solar Photovoltaic ☒ Storage of Renewable
! Other (Describe) ! Small Natural Gas
2.3.2 Proposed Grant Funded Phase(s) for this Request (Check all that apply)
Pre-Construction Construction
☒ Reconnaissance ! Final Design and Permitting
☒ Feasibility and Conceptual Design ! Construction
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2.4 Project Description
Provide a brief, one-paragraph description of the proposed project.
The Reconnaissance Study phase of this project will focus on collecting data and analyzing Akiachak’s
current diesel system and wind and solar resources along with electric and thermal load data. These baseline
data will then be used to create a conceptual design for an energy system that integrates wind/solar/battery
with the current diesel system. A detailed cost estimate and financing plan will also be included in the final
Reconnaissance Study Report.
For the Phase II portion, we seek to investigate the economic viability of installing wind turbine generators
for electrical generation facilities. AC is proposing to install a reference 50-meter meteorological tower as
well as a LIDAR meterological unit to simultaneously collect and correlate wind data across the community
at heights greater than or equal to 50 meters. The monitoring program will evaluate specific sites in and
around Akiachak and can be easily expanded to surrounding communities through redeployment of the Lidar
unit, and continued use of the Akiachak reference station. The monitoring program in Akiachak will
continue for 12 months. Monthly wind resource reports will be produced with a final report summarizing the
data collection, and opportunities for the application of low interia wind turbines on taller towers.
2.5 Scope of Work
Provide a short narrative for the scope of work detailing the tasks to be performed under this
funding request. This should include work paid for by grant funds and matching funds or performed
as in-kind match.
Reconnaissance: Tasks will be to analyze the availability of wind and solar resources; and collect and
analyze electric and thermal load data; evaluate the capacities of the current energy system; create a
conceptual design to integrate renewable energy (i.e., wind, solar) and technologies (i.e., battery energy
storage, electric thermal stoves) into the current system; provide a proposed cost and financing
report/economic analysis study; assess environmental factors (including land ownership and permitting
needs); and lastly analyze the data and provide community members with the best and most complete
information available to support decision making for future energy planning.
Phase II: This work involves the installation of both an instrumented 50 meter wind monitoring tower and a
Lidar unit. The 50 meter tower will serve as the reference station and the Lidar unit will be moved around the
community to identify the most optimal sites. Together the taller met tower and the Lidar unit will be used
for simultaneous correlation of wind speed, temperature and wind direction and shear data at rotor reference
heights 30, 40, 50 meters and beyond.
The project is designed around the installation of a traditional 50 meter met tower (with FAA paint and
lighting). The mast will be instrumented at 20, 30 and 50 meters. The wind resource met tower
measurements will be correlated to a 3D scanning lidar unit to provide a vertical wind profile excess of 80
meters. The Met Tower will serve as reference base station, and Lidar unit will be deployed at different
locations across the community and to nearby communities to validate higher level wind speed
measurements. The lidar unit can be redeployed every 3 months to prospect for efforts to improve and test
local wind conditions. The base met tower data and lidar data will be correlated for direction, speed and
shear.
In summary, this work includes installation and instrumentation of a meteorological tower; collection and
analysis of resource and load data; examination of potential development sites; identification of system
configuration options; analysis of potential operational and financial impacts; development of initial site
plan; identification of permitting requirements; and development of project cost estimates.
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The primary deliverables will be: Resource Assessments, Final Conceptual Design, and a proposed costs and
financing report.
2.6 Previous REF Applications for the Project
See Section 1.15 of the RFA for the maximum per project cumulative grant award amount
Round
Submitted
Title of application Application
#, if known
Did you
receive a
grant? Y/N
Amount of REF
grant awarded
($)
4 Akiachak Wind Feasibility & Conceptual
Design (Note: The earlier funded project was
for a very different scope and technology, as
described in the provided cost estimates and
summaries below.)
Y $110,000
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SECTION 3 – Project Management, Development, and Operation
3.1 Schedule and Milestones
Please fill out the schedule below (or attach a similar sheet) for the work covered by this funding
request. Be sure to identify key tasks and decision points, including go/no go decisions, in your
project along with estimated start and end dates for each of the milestones and tasks. Please
clearly identify the beginning and ending of all phases (I. Reconnaissance, II. Feasibility and
Conceptual Design, III. Final Design and Permitting, and IV. Construction) of your proposed
project. See the RFA, Sections 2.3-2.6 for the recommended milestones for each phase. Add
additional rows as needed.
The following schedule outlines milestones associated with project Phase I: Reconnaissance Study.
Task
# Milestones Tasks
Start
Date
End
Date Deliverables
1 Preliminary
report and
work
plan
Collect studies and mechanical
electrical drawings related to
existing base system
Identify site condition, community
information
Research and writing to develop a
project plan and site description.
Within
1
month
of start
Within
3
months
of start
Base systems, as-builts and
energy studies
Base System Design
Documentation Binder
Draft Conceptual Design
2 On-site data
collection
Travel to site with team to verify
site conditions
Confirm as-built drawings and
survey electrical distribution,
select site
Data collection plus travel to
Akiachak from Anchorage with a
project team consisting of an
electrical engineer, diesel
mechanic, project manager and
research assistant
Within
1
month
of start
Within
3
months
of start
Condition report
System condition report
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3 Install
monitoring
equipment
Field support including
installation of a 34-meter met
tower, data logger and sensor. This
includes purchasing and installing
the met tower, data logger, and
sensors for wind speed, direction,
solar insolation, and temperature
with 12 months of data collection
and a resource report. This task is
estimated to require 10 days of
equipment procurement,
mobilization, installation, and
demobilization.
Data gateway for load
information at power plant
Map of electrical distribution
Within
1
month
of start
Within
6
months
of start
Installation report on
monitoring equipment
Load profile
Distribution map
4 Options
Analysis and
Cost
Estimates
Field support including
documentation, remote
troubleshooting and diagnostics,
training activities, assistance with
maintenance, assistance with data
collection and evaluation, and
availability to attend workshops
and tutorials.
Technology survey of proposed
wind, solar and battery systems
Options Analysis
Within
3
months
of start
12-18
months
from
start
Draft and final operating
manuals
Identify potential system
components, and collection
of design, installation,
support and documentation
HOMER and PV Watts
analysis
5 Feasibility
and
Conceptual
Design Report
Compile and write resource
assessments
Compile and write final conceptual
design
Compile and write projected
costs/financing
Within
6
months
of start
18
months
from
start
Resource Assessments
Final Conceptual Design
Projected Costs/Financing
The following schedule outlines milestones associated with project Phase II: Feasibility and Conceptual
Design.
Milestone Task Deliverables Projected
Completion
Date
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1 Site characterization Preliminary report 3 months from
start
2 Plan base system design and
instrumentation procurement
Onsite assessment report 3 months from
start
3 Installation of monitoring
equipment
Monitoring system report 6 months from
project start
4 Data collection and analysis Options analysis report 12 to 18
months from
project start
5 Wind Resource Modeling
and site report
Final design report 18 months
from project
start
This scope of work includes:
· Permitting Installation and instrumentation of a meterological tower
· Equipment rental
· Location of Wind Cube trailer
· Establish cell communication and data collection
· Daily downloading of data
· Resource analysis of resource
· Monthly data comparison and performance estimates
· Potentially 3 relocations of Lidar unit potential development sites
· 4 quarterly reports.
· Final report
· Removal of tower and equipment
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3.2 Budget
3.2.1 Funding Sources
Indicate the funding sources for the phase(s) of the project applied for in this funding request.
Grant funds requested in this application $ 371,000
Cash match to be provideda $-
In-kind match to be provideda $-
Energy efficiency match providedb $-
Total costs for project phase(s) covered in application (sum of
above)
$371,000
Describe your financial commitment to the project and the source(s) of match. Indicate whether
these matching funds are secured or pending future approvals. Describe the impact, if any, that
the timing of additional funds would have on the ability to proceed with the grant.
We are unable to contribute direct match funding at this time. However, we recently were awarded a USDA
High Energy Costs Grant in the amount of $2,265,809 for the installation and integration of solar PV,
addition of battery storage, and energy efficiency upgrades to 9 community buildings. This project
represents a substantive and significant, de facto match that will greatly aid the project being proposed. The
notification of that award came too close to the date that this AEA REF application was due to allow
sufficient time for our community leaders to quantify and approve the amount the awarded grant represents
in match, but it is our hope that AEA will take these contributions into account when assessing the
cost/benefit ratio of the proposed project. Verification and documentation of the USDA award are provided
in attachments.
a Attach documentation for proof (see Section 1.18 of the Request for Applications)
b See Section 8.2 of this application and Section 1.18 of the RFA for requirements for Energy Efficiency
Match.
3.2.2 Cost Overruns
Describe the plan to cover potential cost increases or shortfalls in funding.
3.2.3 Total Project Costs
Indicate the anticipated total cost by phase of the project (including all funding sources). Use actual
costs for completed phases. Indicate if the costs were actual or estimated.
Reconnaissance Estimated $ 91,000
Feasibility and Conceptual Design Estimated $280,000
Final Design and Permitting [Actual/Estimated] $ --
Construction [Actual/Estimated] $ --
Total Project Costs (sum of above) Estimated $ 371,000
Metering/Tracking Equipment [not included in
project cost]
Estimated $ --
3.2.4 Funding Subsequent Phases
If subsequent phases are required beyond the phases being applied for in this application,
describe the anticipated sources of funding and the likelihood of receipt of those funds.
● State and/or federal grants
● Loans, bonds, or other financing options
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● Additional incentives (i.e. tax credits)
● Additional revenue streams (i.e. green tag sales or other renewable energy subsidies or
programs that might be available)
This information is part of the Reconnaissance Study final report.
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3.2.3 Budget Forms
Applications MUST include a separate worksheet for each project phase that was identified in
Section 2.3.2 of this application — I. Reconnaissance, II. Feasibility and Conceptual Design, III.
Final Design and Permitting, and IV. Construction. Please use the tables provided below to detail
your proposed project’s total budget. Be sure to use one table for each phase of your project, and
delete any unnecessary tables. The milestones and tasks should match those listed in 3.1 above.
If you have any question regarding how to prepare these tables or if you need assistance preparing
the application please feel free to contact AEA’s Grants Coordinator by email at
grants@akenergyauthority.org or by phone at (907) 771-3081.
Phase 1—Reconnaissance
Milestone or Task
Anticipated
Completion
Date
RE- Fund
Grant Funds
Grantee
Matching
Funds
Source of Matching
Funds:
Cash/In-kind/Federal
Grants/Other State
Grants/Other
TOTALS
(List milestones based on
phase and type of project. See
Sections 2.3 thru 2.6 of the
RFA )
$ $ $
1 Preliminary
report and work
plan
Within 3
months of
start
$6,000 - $6,000
2 On-site data collection
Within 3
months of
start
$8,000 - $8,000
3 Install monitoring
equipment
Within 6
months of
start
$45,000 - $45,000
4 Options Analysis and Cost
Estimates
12-18
months from
start
$7,000 - $7,000
5 Feasibility and Conceptual
Design Report
18 months
from start $26,000 - $26,000
TOTALS $91,000 - $91,000
Budget Categories:
Direct Labor & Benefits $ $ $
Travel & Per Diem $ $ $
Equipment $ $ $
Materials & Supplies $ $ $
Contractual Services $91,000 $ $91,000
Construction Services $ $ $
Other $ $ $
TOTALS $91,000 $ $91,000
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Phase II Budget
IES offers to supply and install a fully functional wind monitoring tower with new, calibrated anemometers,
as well as Wind Cube Lidar unit. The unit will be equipped with an I-Pack for daily downloading of wind
data.
The equipment will be leased for 18 months
Task 1 Total $144,000
Task 2 - Install equipment in Akiachak
Equipment will be installed in Akiachak on a fixed price basis. The installation will consist of the following
tasks:
· Install anchors
· Assemble and erect towers
· Program loggers
· Activate cellular loggers
· Prepare site installation report
Assumptions:
· Sites are level and cleared and are accessible by skid steer and trailer
· Equipment will be delivered to Akiachak by barge.
· Ground is assumed to appropriate for the use of screw anchors, embedment with up to two
anchors per guy and 4 per tower base. Tower base will require a ballasted foundation frame.
· FAA permitting requires painting of tower and the installation of navigation lights, which will
require have been ordered.
Tower Installation $ 41,000
Task 2 Total $ 41,000
Task 3 - Monitor equipment, perform QC on data and submit monthly report
$2000/ month/site/12 months
Additional Equipment needed Cell phone/ ISP - $160/month
3 redeployments of Lidar
Task 3 Total $ 39,000
Task 4 - Prepare final report
Task 4 Total $ 24,000
Task 5 – Remove equipment
Equipment will be removed from Akiachak; estimated early October 2024.
Tower Removal
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Task 5 Total $32,000
Cost Summary – IES Wind Resource Assessment
Milestone FY 2022/24 Total
1 Lease equipment to Project Q1 2023 $ 144,000
2 Install Tower Q3 2023 $ 41,000
3 Data management and Lidar
redeployment
Q3-2023 thru
Q3-2024
$ 39,000
4 Prepare Final Report Q4 2024 $ 24,000
5 Remove Tower Q3-Q4 2024 $ 32,000
Total $ 280,000
3.2.4 Cost Justification
Indicate the source(s) of the cost estimates used for the project budget, including costs for future
phases not included in this application.
Detailed cost justifications and project quotes are provided in attachments. The quotes are from an experienced
consultant/contractor well versed in the constraints of rural energy construction projects.
3.3 Project Communications
3.3.1 Project Progress Reporting
Describe how you plan to monitor the progress of the project and keep AEA informed of the status.
Who will be responsible for tracking the progress? What tools and methods will be used to track
progress?
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Project will be monitored and reported as required by AEA. Akiachak will require reports from contractor and will
provide these and Akiachak oversight reports to AEA.
All grant funds will be expended on costs directly related to the performance of the scope of work and administration
and reporting of grant activities.
3.3.2 Financial Reporting
Describe the controls that will be utilized to ensure that only costs that are reasonable, ordinary
and necessary will be allocated to this project. Also discuss the controls in place that will ensure
that no expenses for overhead, or any other unallowable costs will be requested for reimbursement
from the REF Grant Program.
Quotes for project services are attached. Akiachak is confident that the quoted amount for these services is
reasonable. Work will be completed by a highly experienced Alaskan firm very familiar with AEA grant
reporting requirements. Only contractual costs will be requested from the REF Grant Program.
Operating under DUNS: 152196598 / EIN: 92-0081755 the Akiachak Native Community is capable and
prepared to enter into an agreement with the State Government. Previous state funding awards have been
managed to successful completion through in-house or subcontracted services.
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SECTION 4 – QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
4.1 Project Team
Include resumes for known key personnel and contractors, including all functions below, as an
attachment to your application. In the electronic submittal, please submit resumes as separate
PDFs if the applicant would like those excluded from the web posting of this application.
4.1.1 Project Manager
Indicate who will be managing the project for the Grantee and include contact information. If the
applicant does not have a project manager indicate how you intend to solicit project management
support. If the applicant expects project management assistance from AEA or another government
entity, state that in this section.
Dennis Meiners (Lead Project Manager), Principal and Founder of Intelligent Energy Systems, LLC (IES).
This project will benefit from Dennis’s many years of experience, and his support team and network of
energy and technology specialists. IES will coordinate reconnaissance and engineering activities, drawing on
experience with similar projects and the abilities of several experts in the field of wind-diesel-battery
systems. IES intends to establish the same level of ongoing commitment to Akiachak as it has to other
remote, rural communities in Alaska.
4.1.2 Project Accountant
Indicate who will be performing the accounting of this project for the grantee. If the applicant does
not have a project accountant indicate how you intend to solicit financial accounting support.
Pati Crofut (Grants Manager) is a highly experienced rural utility accounting consultant and trainer. She has
been solely responsible for the grant accounting and financial management on numerous USDA High Energy
Cost grants awarded to villages in Western Alaska and administered through IES. She is familiar with all
reporting requirements for the REF program.
4.1.3 Expertise and Resources
Describe the project team including the applicant, partners, and contractors.
For each member of the project team, indicate:
● the milestones/tasks in 3.1 they will be responsible for;
● the knowledge, skills, and experience that will be used to successfully deliver the tasks;
● how time and other resource conflicts will be managed to successfully complete the task.
If contractors have not been selected to complete the work, provide reviewers with sufficient detail
to understand the applicant’s capacity to successfully select contractors and manage complex
contracts.
The following are the senior team members for this project. Each person listed is considered an expert in
their respective specialties. Responsibilities span all milestones and tasks for both proposed projects.
Key Personnel
Lead local contact and organizer for this project is Edward George, Tribal Administrator. Mr. George has
extensive experience coordinating projects of this type and is familiar with all required capacities for our Tribe
administration, including managing dozens of employees and overseeing all financial aspects for the
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organization. His attached resume and letter provide further details on the experience and expertise Mr. George
brings to this role.
The following contracted individuals and organizations will be the primary technical support for this project.
Intelligent Energy Systems, LLC
Dennis Meiners (Lead Project Manager), Principal and Founder of Intelligent Energy Systems, LLC (IES).
Mr. Meiners will draw on his many years of experience, to manage the overall project and the project support
team, which includes wind technology specialists. IES will be responsible for the installation and operation
of the resource evaluation and equipment deployment. Mr. Meiners will draw upon many years of Alaskan
operating experience with similar projects. Through Mr. Meiners, IES has demonstrated an on-going
commitment to improving the energy independence of rural Alaskan communities.
Pati Crofut (Grants Manager), Highly experienced rural utility accounting consultant and trainer. She has
been solely responsible for the grant accounting and financial management on numerous USDA High Energy
Cost grants awarded to villages in Western Alaska and administered through IES.
Dale Letourneau (Electrical Engineer), Specializing in remote, independent energy generation and both off-
grid and grid connected power systems. Mr. Letourneau, has more than 40 years of experience in design,
construction and operation of energy systems. Mr. Letourneau’s practical engineering approaches originate
from his formative years before and during university working with his family’s electrical supply and
contracting business.
Jean-Paul Pinard, PhD, P.Eng. (Consulting Engineer), 27 years of experience in the energy sector as an
engineer, scientist, lecturer, and advocate on renewable energy. Specializes in wind resource assessments in
Arctic and complex terrain. Jean-Paul is the leading wind resource expert in Northern Canada. His PhD is in
cold weather modeling of wind resources. Mr. Pinard has conducted over 50 detailed wind resource
assessments in nearly every community in Yukon and Northwest Territories. He will be the principal
investigator responsible to installation, set-up and maintenance of the instrumentation. conducting energy
modelling and data analysis. Extensive work with Indigenous communities to empower their renewable
energy economies. Mr. Pinard will be responsible for tower placement, equipment installation and
calibration, as well as data analysis, data quality, and site evaluation.
Carl Brothers, P.E., (Power Integration and Wind Energy Specialist) President of Frontier Power Systems.
Mr. Brothers is the former director of the Atlantic Wind Test Site, Canada’s premier wind energy test
facility. He has been responsible for the development of over 100 MW of large scale grid connected wind
systems and is familiar with the full range of wind technologies. Mr. Brothers has evaluated the performance
of over 20 wind turbines, and is responsible for some of the most successful community scale and off grid
wind diesel systems in Eastern Canada. Mr. Brothers has been responsible for design improvements to mid-
sized wind turbines, and is familiar with cost, deployment, installation and integration issues. He is involved
with the growth of high penetration wind diesel systems across the Arctic. Mr. Brothers will assist with
equipment and site selection, evaluation of data and comparison with similar projects in other parts of the
Arctic and Alaska. Mr. Brothers will assist with program design and site selection.
Greg Egan (Field Support Specialist), President of Remote Power, Inc. in Fairbanks has over 30 years of
experience in remote power systems, data collection and telemetry integration, drawings, maintenance plans
and specifications, and in renewable energy system feasibility studies. Greg is a journeyman electrician, and
expert at small system remote power supplies for communications equipment across Alaska. He will
responsible for the Lidar power supply design.
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Ian Knapp Research Technical Specialist, Graduate in statistics with a focus on technical analysis with a
strong desire to contribute to the future of Alaska while becoming a more being a more skilled and
knowledgeable statistician.
Adam Schandler, PEng (Mechanical ), Mr. Schandler has 10 years of mechanical engineering expertise
specifically related to the data collection, analysis, modeling, monitoring and design of wind power plants.
He has expertise in data analysis, sensor calibration, wind resource assessment, tower placement, Wind
Farmer, Windographer, and WASp models. Mr Schandler and Mr. Pinard together will be responsible for
Wind Atlas Analysis and Applications Program (WAsP) modeling, data quality, and interpretation.
4.2 Local Workforce
Describe how the project will use local labor or train a local labor workforce.
Project personnel will interact with the local utility manager and operators to understand how Akiachak’s
power plant functions and to collect accurate information/data. However, there are no plans to hire local
individuals for this Reconnaissance Study. Local forces will be used to the greatest extent possible for all
field and utility work required for Phase II.
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SECTION 5 – TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY
5.1 Resource Availability
5.1.1 Assessment of Proposed Energy Resource
Describe the potential extent/amount of the energy resource that is available, including average
resource availability on an annual basis. For pre-construction applications, describe the resource to
the extent known. For design and permitting or construction projects, please provide feasibility
documents, design documents, and permitting documents (if applicable) as attachments to this
application (See Section 11). Likelihood of the resource being available over the life of the project.
See the “Resource Assessment” section of the appropriate Best Practice Checklist for additional
guidance.
A prior wind resource assessment was conducted for the Community of Akiachak in (2007). There are
several factors which indicate that the community and the surrounding communities could benefit from a re-
evaluation of the wind resource in this area. This project is responsive to both a local and regional need to
develop renewable resources as well as evaluate the potential for expanding the harvesting wind energy
across the state. This study is especially relevant in light of advances in wind technology, which have
demonstrated the viability of the economic application of large rotor diameter wind turbines on taller towers.
First, the wind resource assessment was conducted using a 30 meter tower in a wooded area. That early study
indicated that wind resource was marginal and at the time less than what is needed for the economic
deployment of wind power. However, the community is located 14 air miles from Bethel, in similar terrain
and topography, where there is a definite commercial wind resource. Extrapolating the wind resource from
earlier studies to higher levels, say 50 to 60 meters, estimated to be significantly improved beyond 5.5 m/sec.
The re-evaluation of the resource, is proposed for the following important reasons:
1. Wind technology, specifically low wind speed, wind technology has and continues to improve. The
100 kW wind turbines recently installed in Atmautluak, and at the Kwethluk project which is under
construction, are installed on 40 and 50 meter meter tilt-up towers respectively. These turbines are
equipped with low inertia, high efficiency 24 meter rotors are able to harvest wind energy across a
broad spectrum of lower average wind speeds. Technical developments are underway from several
companies to increase this and other 100 kW machine’s rotor diameter to 30 meters. These advances
are designed to improve turbine capacity factors in low wind speed regimes, ( 4.0 m/s measured at 30
meters) in the 30% range. This resource is previously characterized in the earlier study by Vaught.
Additionally, much development is underway which scales these platform to the 40 meter rotor and
250 kW range. Technical improvements in rotor efficiency, increased rotor diameter combined with
taller guyed towers are making the use of wind power, in communities, like Akiachak, and
surrounding communities like Akiak and Tulusak, with more moderate wind resources, potentially
economically viable.
2. The communities of Akiachak, as well the surrounding communities of Akiak and Tuluksak, have
few renewable energy opportunities, beyond wind and solar. Solar is unlikely to provide sufficient
energy to meet the majority of the community’s needs throughout the year, or represent significant
potential for large scale fuel displacement. The fact that these communities are so close to other
communities with a viable wind resource, ( Kwethluk, Bethel and Napaskiak). It is proposed that the
potential for wind resource at or above the 50 meter height is indicated, with consideration that there
may be detrimental influences on the previous study from local terrain, tower height and tower
placement. The fact these communities are so is so close to other communities with a viable wind
resource merits further investigation.
Renewable Energy Fund Round 14
Grant Application – Standard Form
AEA 23001 Page 20 of 31 11/16/2021
3. This study proposes to install and instrument a 50 meter meterological tower, in Akiachak. This
tower will be installed with navigational lighting, and used as subregional reference tower. A Lidar
unit will be placed in various locations around the community to collect simulatenous data, and
compare the wind potential at various heights and locations around the community. The study area
could easily be expanded to other nearby communities, through redeployment of the Lidar unit. This
method would benefit multiple communities, and more accurately define the actionable wind
resources.
Please note: HOMER data are provided in the attachments.
5.1.2 Alternatives to Proposed Energy Resource
Describe the pros and cons of your proposed energy resource vs. other alternatives that may be
available for the market to be served by your project.
Due to our remote location and isolation, there are few options to heat homes in Akiachak, and what options
do exist are inevitably expensive and logistically challenging.
Residents in Akiachak currently use diesel generation and firewood to heat their homes. Heating fuel costs
over $5.00 per gallon, and an average household uses approximately 55 gallons every 3 weeks. Firewood is
similarly costly at $350 for ½ cord and inconvenient to harvest.
The high cost of heat is a significant burden for residents, whose average earnings according to the 2019 ACS
5-Year Survey are $18,906 annually. Most households qualify for and 24-35% are enrolled in the federal Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Many households in Akiachak are multiple generations
living together, and it is not uncommon to have eight or more people living together in one home.
According to the State of Alaska Energy Authority’s 2020 Power Cost Equalization Report, the average cost
of electricity per kWh in Akiachak was $0.63. This is almost 500% of the national average and more than
three times the benchmark delineating “high energy cost communities” set forth by AEA REF regulations.
For these reasons, AC has a long history of pursuing ways to lower the cost of energy through integration of
renewable resources, and recently these efforts have been rewarded in the form of project funding from the
USDA High Energy Costs Grant program. Less than one week before this current grant application was due
(i.e., mid-January 2022), AC learned that the community has been awarded $2,265,809 to install and
integrate 200 kW solar PV along with a battery energy storage system as well as complete energy efficiency
upgrades on community facilities (“HGECG” RD-RUS-HECG21CFDA Number: 10.859).
That project will provide a significant contribution toward our energy needs and aid our resiliency; however,
the savings anticipated to result from that project are no comparison for the potential benefit of wind energy
in our community and other communities facing similar energy challenges across Alaska.
Renewable Energy Fund Round 14
Grant Application – Standard Form
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5.1.3 Permits
Provide the following information as it may relate to permitting and how you intend to address
outstanding permit issues. See the “Environmental and Permitting Risks” section of the appropriate
Best Practice Checklist for additional guidance.
● List of applicable permits
● Anticipated permitting timeline
● Identify and describe potential barriers including potential permit timing issues, public
opposition that may result in difficulty obtaining permits, and other permitting barriers
Part of the purpose of the Reconnaissance Study is to identify permitting requirements/needs.
5.2 Project Site
Describe the availability of the site and its suitability for the proposed energy system. Identify
potential land ownership issues, including whether site owners have agreed to the project or how
you intend to approach land ownership and access issues. See the “Site control” section of the
appropriate Best Practice Checklist for additional guidance.
Akiachak Native Community is the only local government in Akiachak and as such we are responsible
for the betterment and safety of our community members. he project will be owned by the Tribe and
operated by Akiachak, Ltd. our ANCSA village corporation, which owns the Akiachak Native
Community Electric Company (ANEC). ANEC is the only utility/power producer in Akiachak,
Alaska. ANEC holds the certificate of public convenience issued by the State of Alaska.
Regarding the suitability of the project site for the proposed feasibility study, the WAsP model and
Wind Farmer are two most widely used wind power analysis software models in the world. These
models use met tower wind data (or wind atlas) reference data placed on a digital elevation base map.
The model assigns a wind turbine location, and uses the published wind turbine power curves to
perform annual energy production calculations. WAsP uses available data to determine terrain effects
on the wind resource. The modeling software has a number of limitations especially when evaluating
surface roughness, obstacles and increases and decreasing in wind velocity at specific heights due to
changing terrain features and obstacles, such as buildings, trees, hills, etc. The model outputs
incorporate the assumption the overall wind regime of the turbine site is same as the met tower
reference site, and that prevailing weather conditions are stable over time, and surrounding terrain at
the wind data reference point and turbine sites is sufficiently gentle and smooth to ensure laminar,
attached wind flow.
In terrain like Akiachak, it is likely that both a lower level 30 meter wind resource evaluation and a
simplified WAsP model without a detailed roughness map can result in moderate resource error.
This error becomes significant when projecting wind speed from the brushy terrain where the met
tower had been located to taller towers with larger rotors where wind shear and roughness length
would be much less. But, the purpose here is to illustrate possible site options should alternate sites
be considered. Two such alternate sites are the more exposed brushy west of town and locations
closer to the river. These two locations are primary sites for redeployment of the Lidar unit for
more accurate higher elevation resource assessments.
Renewable Energy Fund Round 14
Grant Application – Standard Form
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What is learned from this level of study will be valuable for establishing the wind potential of many
villages across Alaska.
5.3 Project Technical & Environmental Risk
5.3.1 Technical Risk
Describe potential technical risks and how you would address them.
● Which tasks are expected to be most challenging?
● How will the project team reduce the risk of these tasks?
● What internal controls will be put in place to limit and deal with technical risks?
See the “Common Planning Risks” section of the appropriate Best Practice Checklist for additional
guidance.
Technical risks are low (installing the 50-meter met tower, data logger and sensor). This will likely be
weather/wind dependent and we may need to have an extra dose of patience if there is a storm when these
tasks are due to be conducted.
5.3.2 N/A
5.4 Technical Feasibility of Proposed Energy System
In this section you will describe and give details of the existing and proposed systems. The
information for existing system will be used as the baseline the proposal is compared to and also
used to make sure that proposed system can be integrated.
Only complete sections applicable to your proposal. If your proposal only generates electricity, you
can remove the sections for thermal (heat) generation.
5.4.1 Basic Operation of Existing Energy System
Describe the basic operation of the existing energy system including: description of control system;
spinning reserve needs and variability in generation (any high loads brought on quickly); and
current voltage, frequency, and outage issues across system. See the “Understanding the Existing
System” section of the appropriate Best Practice Checklist for additional guidance.
Part of the Reconnaissance Study is to detail the existing energy system.
5.4.2 N/A
5.4.2.1 N/A
5.4.2.2 Existing Distribution System
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Grant Application – Standard Form
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Describe the basic elements of the distribution system. Include the capacity of the step-up
transformer at the powerhouse, the distribution voltage(s) across the community, any transmission
voltages, and other elements that will be affected by the proposed project.
Part of the purpose of the Reconnaissance Study is to detail the existing energy system.
5.4.2.3 N/A
5.4.2.4 N/A
5.4.2.5 N/A
5.4.2.6 N/A
5.4.3 Future Trends
Describe the anticipated energy demand in the community, or whatever will be affected by the
project, over the life of the project. Explain how the forecast was developed and provide year by
year forecasts. As appropriate, include expected changes to energy demand, peak load, seasonal
variations, etc. that will affect the project.
Part of the purpose of the Reconnaissance Study is to identify potential future trends and impacts on a future
energy system.
5.4.4 N/A
5.4.4.1 N/A
5.4.4.2 N/A
5.4.5 Basic Operation of Proposed Energy System
● To the best extent possible, describe how the proposed energy system will operate: When will
the system operate, how will the system integrate with the existing system, how will the
control systems be used, etc.
● When and how will the backup system(s) be expected to be used
See the “Proposed System Design” section of the appropriate Best Practice Checklist for additional
guidance.
Part of the purpose of the Reconnaissance Study is to identify basic operation of the proposed energy system.
For Phase II of this project, the study proposes to use a combination of reference met tower (50 meter) plus a
WindCube® type of LIDAR unit to correlate time series vertical profiling to accurately and more rapidly and
rigorously validate the wind resource in Akiachak. While the reference tower is fixed, the Lidar unity can be
easily be relocated on a period basis to prospect for the most productive location in the community. Once
Akiachak has been accurately characterized, the Lidar unit can be cost-effectively deployed to other
locations, and other communities as a replacement for met masts. The Lidar data can be used to accurately
define the resources, reduce deployment and improve decision-making. This region has limited renewable
resources. This level of study would be of great value to surrounding communities, both upriver and
downriver.
Renewable Energy Fund Round 14
Grant Application – Standard Form
AEA 23001 Page 24 of 31 11/16/2021
Wind Monitoring Equipment
The wind monitoring equipment consists of a guyed 50m tubular steel mast.
Anemometers are mounted at the 30, 40, and 50 meter levels. Direction vanes are mounted at the 40 and 50m
levels. A data logger and temperature sensor are mounted at 2m. The data logger is equipped with a cellula r
data transmission device which transmits recorded data to an email account on a daily basis.
The configuration and type of instrumentation will include site photos, vegetation heights and types, GPS,
location, elevation, and sensor descriptions, orientations, logger type, collection channels and installation and
placement details.
A LIDAR Unit: WindCube® type or equivalent, will be mounted on a small trailer with an accompanying
power supply. Both the NRG data logger cell modem. The Lidar unit will initially be deployed adjacent to
the met tower, and then redeployed to other locations across the community.
Please see attached cost justification proposals from contractor IES for more complete information.
5.4.3.1 N/A
5.4.5.2 N/A
5.4.5.3 N/A
5.4.6 N/A
5.4.7 N/A
5.5 Performance and O&M Reporting
For construction projects only
5.5.1 Metering Equipment
Please provide a short narrative, and cost estimate, identifying the metering equipment that will be
used to comply with the operations reporting requirement identified in Section 3.15 of the Request
for Applications.
Reconnaissance Study will provide recommendations for metering equipment.
5.5.2 O&M reporting
Please provide a short narrative about the methods that will be used to gather and store reliable
operations and maintenance data, including costs, to comply with the operations reporting
requirement identified in Section 3.15 of the Request for Applications
Reconnaissance Study will provide recommendations for metering equipment.
SECTION 6 – ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY AND BENEFITS
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Grant Application – Standard Form
AEA 23001 Page 25 of 31 11/16/2021
6.1 Economic Feasibility
6.1.1 Economic Benefit
An accurate understanding of the wind resource at higher elevations is necessary for determining wind
system viability. The data analysis will enable accurate evaluation of resource potential and choices
optimized around parameters of interest such as, turbine production compared to local and regional reference
sites, These options will be compared to the diesel operational base lines, and evaluated with respect to the
community’s goals.
The turbines to be included in the evaluation include:
· Frontier, 24.4, and 30
· EWT 54, 61
The final report will include an estimate of expected annual energy production from these turbines at various
locations and configurations as potential renewable energy sources for the community. The report will also
include an initial construction cost estimate for the most productive options.
The outcome of this project will provide a basis for determining the economic viability of wind energy for
this and other similarly situated communities in the Yukon and Kuskokwim regions.
6.1.2 Economic Benefit
Explain the economic benefits of your project. Include direct cost savings and other economic
benefits, and how the people of Alaska will benefit from the project. Note that additional revenue
sources (such as tax credits or green tags) to pay for operations and/or financing, will not be
included as economic benefits of the project.
Where appropriate, describe the anticipated energy cost in the community, or whatever will be
affected by the project, over the life of the project. Explain how the forecast was developed and
provide year-by-year forecasts
The economic model used by AEA is available at https://www.akenergyauthority.org/What-We-
Do/Grants-Loans/Renewable-Energy-Fund/2021-REF-Application. This economic model may be
used by applicants but is not required. The final benefit/cost ratio used will be derived from the
AEA model to ensure a level playing field for all applicants. If used, please submit the model with
the application.
Reconnaissance Study will identify and elaborate on potential economic benefits of renewable energy
implementation. Feasibility study will provide accurate and reliable estimates of true wind potential that hasn’t
been able to be captured in past studies.
6.1.3 Economic Risks
Discuss potential issues that could make the project uneconomic to operate and how the project
team will address the issues. Factors may include:
● Low prices for diesel and/or heating oil
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AEA 23001 Page 26 of 31 11/16/2021
● Other projects developed in community
● Reductions in expected energy demand: Is there a risk of an insufficient market for energy
produced over the life of the project.
● Deferred and/or inadequate facility maintenance
● Other factors
Reconnaissance Study will provide insights about Economic Risks.
6.1.4 Public Benefit for Projects with Direct Private Sector Sales
For projects that include direct sales of power to private sector businesses (sawmills, cruise ships,
mines, etc.), please provide a brief description of the direct and indirect public benefits derived from
the project as well as the private sector benefits and complete the table below. See Section 1.6 in
the Request for Applications for more information.
These projects do not benefit any private sector businesses. All benefits will be captured by the Akiachak
community and other communities with wind resources across Alaska. These benefits will go a long way
toward helping to lower the high energy costs experienced in our community.
6.2 Other Public Benefit
Describe the non-economic public benefits to Alaskans over the lifetime of the project. For the
purpose of evaluating this criterion, public benefits are those benefits that would be considered
unique to a given project and not generic to any renewable resource. For example, decreased
greenhouse gas emission, stable pricing of fuel source, won’t be considered under this category.
Some examples of other public benefits include:
● The project will result in developing infrastructure (roads, trails, pipes, power lines, etc.) that can
be used for other purposes
● The project will result in a direct long-term increase in jobs (operating, supplying fuel, etc.)
● The project will solve other problems for the community (waste disposal, food security, etc.)
● The project will generate useful information that could be used by the public in other parts of the
state
● The project will promote or sustain long-term commercial economic development for the
community
Reconnaissance Study will address Other Public Benefits.
The wind resource assessment is a crucial factor in wind energy development. Legacy technologies, and
legacy studies which employed 20 to 30 meter met masts, have shown limitations with today’s improved
turbines, especially projects.
This study proposes to use a combination of reference met tower (50 meter) plus a WindCube® type of
LIDAR unit to correlate time series vertical profiling to accurately and more rapidly and rigorously validate
the wind resource in Akiachak. While the reference tower is fixed, the Lidar unity can be easily be relocated
on a period basis to prospect for the most productive location in the community. Once Akiachak has been
accurately characterized, the Lidar unit can be cost-effectively deployed to other locations, and other
communities as a replacement for met masts. The Lidar data can be used to accurately define the resources,
Renewable Energy Fund Round 14
Grant Application – Standard Form
AEA 23001 Page 27 of 31 11/16/2021
reduce deployment and improve decision-making. This region has limited renewable resources. This level of
study would be of great value to surrounding communities, both upriver and down river.
The study area could easily be expanded to other nearby communities, through redeployment of the Lidar
unit. This method would benefit multiple communities, and more accurately define the actionable wind
resources.
Renewable Energy Fund Round 14
Grant Application – Standard Form
AEA 23001 Page 28 of 31 11/16/2021
SECTION 7 – SUSTAINABILITY
Describe your plan for operating the completed project so that it will be sustainable throughout its
economic life.
At a minimum for construction projects, a business and operations plan should be attached and the
applicant should describe how it will be implemented. See Section 11.
7.1.1 Operation and Maintenance
Demonstrate the capacity to provide for the long-term operation and maintenance of the proposed
project for its expected life
● Provide examples of success with similar or related long-term operations
● Describe the key personnel that will be available for operating and maintaining the
infrastructure.
● Describe the training plan for existing and future employees to become proficient at operating
and maintaining the proposed system.
● Describe the systems that will be used to track necessary supplies
● Describe the system will be used to ensure that scheduled maintenance is performed
Reconnaissance Study will address Sustainability and Finances.
7.1.2 N/A
7.1.2.1 N/A
7.1.2.2 Power Purchase/Sale
The power purchase/sale information should include the following:
● Identification of potential power buyer(s)/customer(s)
● Potential power purchase/sales price - at a minimum indicate a price range (consistent with the
Section 3.16 of the RFA)
Identify the potential power buyer(s)/customer(s) and anticipated power purchase/sales price
range. Indicate the proposed rate of return from the grant-funded project. Include letters of support
or power purchase agreement from identified customers.
Reconnaissance Study will address Power Purchase/Sale options, but all benefits will be retained by the
public. No private entities or businesses are involved in these projects.
SECTION 8 – PROJECT READINESS
8.1 Project Preparation
Describe what you have done to prepare for this award and how quickly you intend to proceed with
work once your grant is approved.
Specifically address your progress towards or readiness to begin, at a minimum, the following:
● The phase(s) that must be completed prior to beginning the phase(s) proposed in this application
● The phase(s) proposed in this application
● Obtaining all necessary permits
● Securing land access and use for the project
● Procuring all necessary equipment and materials
Refer to the RFA and/or the pre-requisite checklists for the required activities and deliverables for
each project phase. Please describe below and attach any required documentation.
Renewable Energy Fund Round 14
Grant Application – Standard Form
AEA 23001 Page 29 of 31 11/16/2021
We have sought a quote for this work from a highly experienced team. The quote provides good and
sufficient details including tasks and milestones for this Reconnaissance Study, and a pathway forward for
this work to be conducted within a reasonable timeframe.
8.2 N/A
SECTION 9 – LOCAL SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION
Describe local support and opposition, known or anticipated, for the project. Include letters,
resolutions, or other documentation of local support from the community that would benefit from
this project. Provide letters of support, memorandum of understandings, cooperative agreements
between the applicant, the utility, local government and project partners. The documentation of
support must be dated within one year of the RFA date of November 16, 2021. Please note that
letters of support from legislators will not count toward this criterion.
Local support is verified as this application is being submitted by the federally recognized Native American
Tribal Government in Akiachak.
SECTION 10 – COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER AWARDS
Identify other grants that may have been previously awarded to the Applicant by AEA for this or
any other project. Describe the degree you have been able to meet the requirements of previous
grants including project deadlines, reporting, and information requests.
N/A
SECTION 11 – LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR PRIOR PHASES
In the space below, please provide a list of additional documents attached to support completion of
prior phases.
N/A
SECTION 12 – LIST OF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION
In the space below, please provide a list of additional information submitted for consideration.
Quote from experienced contractor/consultant submitted in separate document.
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SECTION 13 – AUTHORIZED SIGNERS FORM
Community/Grantee Name: Akiachak Native Community
Regular Election is held:
Date:
Authorized Grant Signer(s):
Printed Name Title Term Signature
I authorize the above person(s) to sign Grant Documents:
(Must be authorized by the highest ranking organization/community/municipal official)
Printed Name Title Term Signature
Grantee Contact Information:
Mailing Address: PO Box 51070
Akiachak, AK
99551
Phone Number:
(907) 825-4626
Fax Number:
Email Address:
tribaladmin@akiachak.org
Federal Tax ID #:
92-0081755
Please submit an updated form whenever there is a change to the above information.
l
I
I
I
AKIACHAK LTD & SUBSIDIARIES
P.0. BOX 51010
Akiachak, AK 99551-1010
(907)825-4328
akiachakltd@hotmail.com
generalmanager@akiachuk.com
A Resolution supporting the application of the Akiachak Native Community (ANC) for financial
assistance to the Alaska Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund-Round 14 for a wind
feasibility study. The purpose of ANC's application is two-fold -to assist our com!T'unity to
advance our efforts to develop renewable energy resources and to serve as the grantee and
grant administrator for this effort.
WHEREAS, the funds for the proposed study are to document the available wind resource and
assess its potential for renewable energy technology deployment.
WHEREAS, wind energy technology can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, provide cost
savings and local jobs, and help mitigate the impact of climate change.
WHEREAS, the Akiachak Native Community is a federally recognized Tribal entity in the State
of Alaska, and is the governing body for the community of Akiachak; and
WHEREAS, Akiachak Ltd & Subsidiaries is the owner of Akiachak Native Community Electric
Company our certified electric utility that provides services to our community; and
WHEREAS, Akiachak Ltd & Subsidiaries works closely with the Akiachak Native Community;
and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund is seeking applications for
eligible renewable energy projects through the Renewable Energy Fund-Round 14 to produce
cost-effective renewable energy for heat and power to benefit Alaskans statewide; and
WHEREAS, Akiachak Native Community and its utility desire to pursue renewable energy to
lower cost of diesel purchases to our community; and
WHEREAS, the Akiachak Native Community is experienced in grant administration, and will
coordinate closely with Akiachak Ltd. & Subsidiaries, is requesting funding from the Alaska
Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund to conduct a wind feasibility study to document the
available wind resource.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Akiachak Ltd. & Subsidiaries supports Akiachak
Native Community (ANC) and supports its application to the Renewable Energy Fund-Round
14 and recognizes Mr. Edward George, tribal administrator for ANC to represent us as an
applicant for our community's efforts to apply for, secure, and obtain funding to investment in
renewable resource development.
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Akiachak Ltd. & Subsidiaries commits to provide the matching
resources for the project at the match amounts indicated in the application.
CERTIFICATION. The following resolution was passed and approved by a duly convened
meeting of the Akiachak Ltd. & Subsidiaries board of directors.
This day of __5th__ 2022 by a vote of _5_ YES, _0_ No, and _0_
ABSTAINING.
Date: I -s -z_, c>
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Akiachak Native Community is in good standing with
respect to its existing credit and federal tax obligations.
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Akiachak Native Community commits to provide the matching
resources for the project at the match amounts indicated in the application.
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Akiachak Native Community authorizes those individual(s)
signing the application has the authority to commit Akiachak Native Community to the
obligations under the grant.
CERTIFICATION. The following resolution was passed and approved by a duly convened
meeting of the Akiachak Native Community tribal council.
This day of __5th__ 2022 by a vote of _5_ YES, _0_ No, and _0_
ABSTAINING.
Signed: /�,��c7
Printed: &r·��v�&t ,
""'-,
Title: ���4�
Attest: ��(�
Date:
Date:
/r tYf· 2Le
/,_5,...z_z_
-
.
The information in this document is proprietary and shall not be distributed, reproduced, used or copied without the
express written consent of IES, LLENERGY SYSTEMS
Page | 1
Intelligent Energy Systems, LLC
110 W. 15th Avenue, Suite A • Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 770-6367 • iesconnect.net • (907) 677-1886 Fax
Akiachak Power Company
Cost Quotation for Reconnaissance Study, and Conceptual Design for
Wind+Solar+Battery+Diesel Power System
The information in this document is proprietary and shall not be distributed, reproduced, used or copied without
the express written consent of IES, LLENERGY SYSTEMS
Page | 2
Contents
1.0 Project Overview .............................................................................................................................. 3
2.0 Cost Quotation .................................................................................................................................. 9
3.0 Project Timeline and Schedule ....................................................................................................... 11
4.0 Project Team ................................................................................................................................... 13
Tables
Table 1: Milestone #1- Preliminary Report and Work Plan………………………………….……...9
Table 2: Milestone #2 On-site Data Collection………………………………………….………….10
Table 3: Milestone #3 - Installation of Monitoring Equipment……………………………………10
Table 4: Milestone #4 - Options Analysis and Cost Estimates……………………………………11
Table 5: Milestone #5 - Feasibility and Conceptual Design Report……………………………...11
The information in this document is proprietary and shall not be distributed, reproduced, used or copied without
the express written consent of IES, LLENERGY SYSTEMS
Page | 3
1.0 Project Overview
The purpose of this cost quotation is to provide Akiachak with a task list and associated
cost to provide a Reconnaissance Study, defined by AEA Renewable Energy Fund as a
preliminary, “desktop” study designed to ascertain whether additional study is
warranted.
IES’ proposed Reconnaissance Study focuses on collecting and analyzing Akiachak’s
current diesel system and its wind and solar resources along with its electric and
thermal load data. This baseline data will then be used to create a conceptual design for
an energy system that incorporates wind/solar/battery with the current diesel system. A
proposed cost and financing scheme will also be included in the final Reconnaissance
Study Report.
This quote consists of tasks to:
• Collect and analyze wind, solar, and electric and thermal load data
• Assess current energy system
• Create a conceptual energy system integrating renewables with the current
system
• Provide a proposed cost and financing report/economic analysis study
• Identify environmental items, including land ownership and permitting needs, and
lastly
• Analyze the data and make recommendations to the community
This work includes:
• Installation and instrumentation of a meterological tower
• Collection and analysis of resource and load data
• Examination of potential development sites
• System configuration options
• Analyzing potential operational and financial impacts
• Developing initial site plans
• Identifying permitting requirements, and developing project cost estimates
The primary deliverables will be:
• Resource Assessments
• Final Conceptual Design
• Proposed Costs and Financing
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Proposed Scope of Work - in 5 Phases
This scope of work will involve five phases, or project milestones.
These milestone-phases are:
1. Preliminary report and work plan
2. On-site data collection
3. Installation of monitoring equipment
4. Options analysis and cost estimates
5. Conceptual design report
1) Preliminary report and work plan
The first phase of the project will involve collecting existing community and resource data, as well
as a review of previous studies. This phase of work will include identif ying potential development
sites for wind and solar , population community history, existing facilities, local economy, climate
and community infrastructure . The purpose of this work is to improve the efficiency of the study
and to incorporate previous information identified to improve the conceptual design.
2) On-site data collection
The second phase of the project will involve collection of on-site data. This will involve
community electrical and thermal load, and existing asset condition surveys. In every
community the load tends to vary in more or less a regular way, over the course of the
day, week, and season. As well as the gradual cha nges, there are also fluctuations of
much shorter duration caused by switching in and out of large electrical loads. There are
also likely to be substantial changes in the load with the day of the week, or season of
the year.
From an economic point of view it is necessary to understand the profiles of the load, and
to understand how variations in wind and solar potential corresponds to the load , or if
there is a substantial mismatch.
Initial information indicates that incorporating a wind-to-heat component, in a
wind+solar+battery+diesel system will enable the community to take full advantage of the
greatest amount of wind energy potential. This is important, especially for application of
larger capacity wind systems, which during the winter can generate surplus energy that
can then be used to displace heating fuel. These kinds of systems, which are designed
for lower wind resource applications, can match well with battery energy storage. In a
similar manner, during the summer months when wind speeds tend to be lower, the
wind+battery system would be supplemented by solar PV.
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On-site data will be collected to determine energy load profiles, assessing the condition
of electrical generation, and distribution readiness to incorporate renewables into the
existing power system.
The principle outcome will be to develop coincident load profile, and will involve power
plant monitoring. This phase will also include investigatin g existing geotechnical
information through the use of a “desk study” to guide foundation design concepts for
wind and solar systems. In addition, initial consultations with permitting agencies and
equipment inventories.
3) Installation of Monitoring Equipment
This phase will involve install ing a 34 meter tall, NRG Systems, tubular-type
meteorological (met) tower in an open area selected by the City. The monitoring
equipment will be instrumented to measure wind speed, direction, temperature, solar
insolation and electrical load. At the same time, monitoring of electrical production in the
power plant will begin. The renewable resource data will be analyzed by Doug Vaught,
of V3 energy an experienced resource assessment engineer. The load profile will be
developed from monitoring data, and summarized in a report by IES.
Primary outcome of this phase will be a report that assesses and validates the wind
resource, along with the solar resource. This data will be used to estimate annual
energy production from various wind and solar configurations. The studies in Akiachak
will focus on the application of large rotor wind turbines, designed for productivity in
lower wind speed regimes, to be supplemented by solar and battery storage
capabilities, which all serve to reduce the community’s dependency on diesel fuel.
4) Options Analysis and Cost Estimates
The wind, solar and electrical and thermal load data will be compared with wind turbine
power, and diesel generation fuel curves to develop time series estimates of wind, solar,
diesel and battery fuel displacement scenarios using th e HOMER program. The
analysis will include a review of available and practical wind systems, potential solar
arrays, and battery energy storage systems. Both PV watts, and HOMER w ill be used to
estimate energy produced from various size fixed solar arrays.
HOMER analysis will be used to compare system configuration s in relative rather than
absolute terms, with the understanding that renewable resources vary considerably
from year to year. HOMER output will enable design choices optimized around
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Page | 6
parameters of interest such as, renewable contribution, potential for fuel displacement,
diesel off hours of operation, and surplus renewable energy available for heat. These
options will be compared to the diesel operational base line, and evaluated with respect
to the community’s goals.
The turbines to be included in the evaluation include but are not limited to:
• EoCycle 25,
• Northwind 100, 21 and 24
• Xant 21 and 24
• Frontier, 24.4, and 30
• Vestas V-27
• EWT 61
Construction cost estimates will be developed for the most productive options. This will
include capital, installed, and operational cost estimates. The overall costs will include,
power line, additional infrastructure and integration costs.
5) Conceptual System Design Report
The following information for the proposed renewable energy system will be developed:
• Wind and solar resource assessment
• Technology options analysis
• Proposed system configurations
• Estimated annual energy production from renewable generation
• Project cost estimates
• Economic feasibility based on diesel base case
• Methods of integration
• Site Plan
• Geo technical desk study
• System readiness
Summary of conceptual development and operations plan
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Permits
• List of applicable permits
• Anticipated permitting timeline
• Identify and discussion of potential barriers
Environmental
The following environmental and land use issues will be addressed:
• Threatened or Endangered species
• Habitat issues
• Wetlands and other protected areas
• Archaeological and historical resources
• Land development constraints
• Telecommunications interference
• Aviation considerations
• Visual, aesthetics impacts
• Identify and discuss other potential barriers
Proposed New System Costs and Benefits
Sufficient cost information will be developed to determine a cost of construction and the
financial benefits of the proposed system, along with projected debt financing.
Business Plan
Initial plans will be developed for operating the proposed pro ject so that it will be
sustainable.
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PROJECT BENEFIT
The economic and public benefits of the wind/solar/battery energy project will be
determined based on the following criteria:
• Potential annual fuel displacement (gal and $) over the lifetime of the renewable
energy project
• Potential impacts on fuel purchases, and investments in fuel and bulk fuel
infrastructure
• Comparison with diesel operational base case
• Potential for local jobs to displace fuel purchases
BUDGET
The following budget is based on project milestones
Milestone # Phase Price
1 Preliminary report and work plan
$6,000
2 On-site data collection $8,000
3 Installation of monitoring equipment $45,000
4 Options analysis and cost estimates $7,000
5 Conceptual design report $26,000
Total $91,000
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Cost Quote
Tables 1 through 5 detail the milestones, deliverables, and costs associated with each within IES’
proposed scope of work.
Table 1: Milestone #1- Preliminary Report and Work Plan
Table 2: Milestone #2 On-site data collection
Tasks Milestone/Deliverable Price
Travel to site with team to verify site conditions Condition report Included
Confirm as-built drawings, and survey electrical
distribution, select site Included
Data collection plus travel to Akiachak from
Anchorage with a project team consisting of an
electrical engineer, diesel mechanic, and project
manager and research assistant
System condition report Included
Total $ 8,000
This item is estimated to require 70 hours of professional services.
Tasks Deliverable Price
Collect studies and mechanical electrical drawings
related to existing base
Base systems, as, builts and
energy studies Included
Identify site condition, community information Base System Design
Documentation Binder Included
Research and writing to develop a project plan and
site description
Draft Conceptual Design
Workplan Included
Total $6,000
This item is estimated to require 55 hours of professional services.
Tasks Milestone/Deliverable Price
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Table 3: Milestone #3 - Installation of Monitoring Equipment
Table 4: Milestone #4 - Options Analysis and Cost Estimates
Field support, to include installation of a 34 meter
met tower, data logger and sensor.
This includes purchasing and installing the met
tower, data logger and sensors, for wind speed,
direction, solar insolation and temperature , with 12
months data collection and resource report. This
task is estimated to require 10 days of equipment
procurement, mobilization, installation and
demobilization
Installation report on monitoring
equipment Included
Data gateway for load information at power plant Load profile
Map of electrical distribution Distribution map
Total $45,000
This item is estimated to require 375 hours of professional services.
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Table 5: Milestone #5 - Feasibility and Conceptual Design Report
3.0 Project Timeline and Schedule
The table below summarizes the timeline, milestones and deliverables associated with this
quote.
Task Milestone/Deliverable Price
Field support, including documentation, remote
troubleshooting and diagnostics, training activities,
assistance with maintenance, assistance with data
collection and evaluation, and availability to attend
workshops and tutorials
Draft and final Operating
Manuals
Technology survey, of proposed wind, solar and
battery systems
Identify potential system
components, and collection of
design, installation, support and
documentation
Options Analysis HOMER and PVWatts analysis
Total $7,000
This item is estimated to require 60 hours of professional services.
Item Includes Amount
Resource Assessments
Final Conceptual Design
Projected Costs/Financing
Total $26,000
This project is estimated to require 200 hours of professional services.
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Associated
Milestone Task Deliverable
Projected
Completion
Date
1 assessment of existing base system
components Preliminary report 3 months from
start
2 Plan base system design and
instrumentation Onsite assessment report 3 months from
start
3 Installation of monitoring equipment Monitoring system report 6 months from
project start
4 Data collection and analysis Options analysis repoer
12 to 18
months from
project start
5 Conceptual design, cost estimate and
financial and operational feasibility Conceptual design report
18 months
from project
start
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4.0 Project Team
The following are the senior team members for this project.
Key Personnel
The following individuals and organizations will be the primary technical support for this
project. Their resumes along with others can be found in the Resume file, section 12 of this
application.
Intelligent Energy Systems, LLC
Dennis Meiners (Lead Project Manager), Principal and Founder of Intelligent Energy Systems,
LLC (IES). This project will benefit from Dennis’s many years of experience, and his support
team and network of energy and technology specialists. IES will coordinate reconnaiss ance and
engineering activities, drawing on experience with similar projects and the abilities of a number
of experts in the field of wind-diesel-battery systems. IES intends to establish the same level of
on-going commitment to Akiachak as it has to other remote, rural communities in Alaska.
Pati Crofut (Grants Manager), Highly experienced rural utility accounting consultant and
trainer. She has been solely responsible for the grant accounting and financial management on
numerous USDA High Energy Cost grants awarded to villages in Western Alaska and
administered through IES.
Dale Letourneau (Electrical Engineer), Specializing in remote, independent energy generation
and grid systems, with more than 40 years of experience in design and construction of these
systems. He has an extensive experience managing and conducting energy projects in Alaska’s
harsh, remote conditions and communities.
Jean-Paul Pinard, PhD, P.Eng. (Consulting Engineer), 27 years of experience in the energy sector
as an engineer, scientist, lecturer, and advocate on renewable energy. Specializes in piloting
smart wind to energy storage in homes and businesses. Evaluates wind and renewable energy
in remote communities of Alaska and Canada by conducting energy modelling and data
analysis. Extensive work with Indigenous communities to empower their renewable energy
economies.
Carl Brothers, P.E., (Power Integration and Controls Specialist) President of Frontier Power
Systems, pioneered a number of successful wind diesel systems for Alaska and Canada and is
involved with the growth of high penetration wind diesel systems across the Arcti c.
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Greg Egan (Solar PV Specialist), President of Remote Power, Inc. in Fairbanks has over 30 years
of experience in renewable energy design, data collection and telemetry integration, drawings,
maintenance plans and specifications, and in renewable energy system feasibility studies. As the
first NABCEP certified PV installer in Alaska and a journeyman electrician he has been responsible
for the design and installation of hundreds of photovoltaic power systems for residential,
commercial and industrial applications across the state. Mr. Egan has extensive experience
working in rural Alaska. This includes the design of the solar power systems and custom array
racking that were installed at the Water Treatment Facilities located in Deering, Kobuk, Noatak,
and Noorvik and Shungnak in 2013.
Ian Knapp Research Technical Specialist, Graduate in statistics with a focus on technical analysis
with a strong desire to contribute to the future of Alaska while becoming a more being a more
skilled and knowledgeable statistician.
John Columbus (Mechanical Engineer - E.I.T.), Expertise in HOMER and other methods of
modeling energy systems and load profiles such as CAD modeling, logistics and procurement
experience for remote/rural Alaska procuring materials, transportation logistics, and
construction field work in rural Alaska.
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Page | 1
Intelligent Energy Systems, LLC
110 W. 15th Avenue, Suite A • Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 770-6367 • iesconnect.net • (907) 677-1886 Fax
Akiachak Power Company
Cost Quotation for Feasibility Analysis and Conceptual
Design for Wind+Solar+Battery+Diesel Power System
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Contents
1.0 Project Overview ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.0 Cost Quotation ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.0 Project Timeline and Schedule ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.0 Project Team ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
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Project Overview
The Community of Akiachak is 14 air miles from Bethel, with the villages of Tuluksak, Akiak,
Kwethluk, Napaskiak, Napakiak within a radius of 16 airmiles. Bethel, Napaskiak and Kwethluk
have measured wind resources demonstrated to be viable wind energy production.
The Akiachak Corporation (AC) is investigating the economic viability of installing wind turbine
generators for electrical generation facilities. AC is proposing to install a reference 50m
meteorological tower as well as a LIDAR meterological unit to simultaneous collect and
correlate wind data across the community at heights greater than or equal to 50 meters. The
monitoring program will evaluate specific sites in and around Akiachak and can be easily
expanded to surrounding communities through redeployment of the Lidar unit, and continued
use of the Akiachak reference station. The monitoring program in Akiachak will continue for 12
months. Monthly wind resource reports will be produced with a final report on a summarizing
the data collection, and opportunities for the application of low interia wind turbines on taller
towers.
A prior wind resource assessment was conducted for the Community of Akiachak in (2007).
There are several factors which indicate that the community and the surrounding communities
could benefit from a re-evaluation of the wind resource in this area. This project is responsive to
both a local and regional need to develop renewable resources as well as evaluate the potential
for expanding the harvesting wind energy across the state . This study is especially relevant in
light of advances in wind technology which has demonstrated the viability of the economic
application of large rotor diameter wind turbines on taller towers.
First, the wind resource assessment was conducted using a 30 meter tower in a wooded area.
That early study indicated that wind resource was marginal and at the time less than what is
needed for the economic deployment of wind power. However, the community is located 14 air
miles from Bethel, in similar terrain and topography, where there is a definite commercial wind
resource. Extrapolating the wind resource from earlier studies to higher levels, say 50 to 60
meters, estimated to be significantly improved beyond 5.5 m/sec. The re-evaluation of the
resource, is proposed for the following important reasons:
1. Wind technology, specifically low wind speed, wind technology has and continues to
improve. The 100 kW wind turbines recently installed in Atmautluak, and at the
Kwethluk project which is under construction, are installed on 40 and 50 meter meter
tilt-up towers respectively. These turbines are equipped with low inertia, high efficiency
24 meter rotors are able to harvest wind energy across a broad spectrum of lower
average wind speeds. Technical developments are underway from several companies
to increase this and other 100 kW machine’s rotor diameter to 30 meters. These
advances are designed to improve turbine capacity factors in low wind speed regimes, (
4.0 m/s measured at 30 meters) in the 30% range. This resource is previously
characterized in the earlier study by Vaught. Additionally, much development is
underway which scales these platform to the 40 meter rotor and 250 kW range.
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Technical improvements in rotor efficiency, increased rotor diameter combined with taller
guyed towers are making the use of wind power, in communities, like Akiachak, and
surrounding communities like Akiak and Tulusak, with more moderate wind resources,
potentially economically viable.
2. The communities of Akiachak, as well the surrounding communities of Akiak and
Tuluksak, have few renewable energy opportunities, beyond wind and solar. Solar is
unlikely to provide sufficient energy to meet the majority of the community’s needs
throughout the year, or represent significant potential for large scale fuel displacement.
The fact that these communities are so close to other communities with a viable wind
resource, ( Kwethluk, Bethel and Napaskiak). It is proposed that the potential for wind
resource at or above the 50 meter height is indicated, with consideration that there may
be detrimental influences on the previous study from local terrain, tower height and
tower placement. The fact these communities are so is so close to other communities
with a viable wind resource merits further investigation.
3. This study proposes to install and instrument a 50 meter meterological tower, in
Akiachak. This tower will be installed with navigational lighting, and used as subregional
reference tower. A Lidar unit will be placed in various locations around the community
to collect simulatenous data, and compare the wind potential at various heights and
locations around the community. The study area could easily be expanded to other
nearby communities, through redeployment of the Lidar unit. This method would benefit
multiple communities, and more accurately define the actionable wind resources.
This work involves the installation of both an instrumented 50 meter wind monitoring tower and
a Lidar unit. The 50 meter tower will serve as the reference station and the Lidar unit will be
moved around the community to identify the most optimal sites. Together the taller met tower
and the Lidar unit will be used for simultaneous correlation of wind speed, temperature and wind
direction and shear data at rotor reference heights 30, 40, 50 meters and beyond.
The project is designed around the installation of a traditional 50 meter met tower (with FAA
paint and lighting). The mast will be instrumented at 20, 30 and 50 meters. The wind resource
met tower measurements will be correlated to a 3D scanning lidar unit to provide a vertical wind
profile excess of 80 meters. The met tower will serve as reference base station, and the Lidar
unit will be deployed at different locations across the community and to nearby communities
validate higher level wind speed measurements. The lidar unit can be redeployed every 3
months to prospect for efforts to improve and test local wind conditions. The base met tower
data and lidar data will be correlated for direction, speed and shear.
The wind resource assessment is a crucial factor in wind energy development. Legacy
technologies, and legacy studies which employed 20 to 30 meter met masts, have shown
limitations with today’s improved turbines, especially projects.
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This study proposes to use a combination of reference met tower (50 meter) plus a WindCube®
type of LIDAR unit to correlate time series vertical profiling to accurately and more rapidly and
rigorously validate the wind resource in Akiachak. While the reference tower is fixed, the Lidar
unity can be easily be relocated on a period basis to prospect for the most productive location in
the community. Once Akiachak has been accurately characterized, the Lidar unit can be cost-
effectively deployed to other locations, and other communities as a replacement for met masts.
The Lidar data can be used to accurately define the resources, reduce deployment and improve
decision-making. This region has limited renewable resources. This level of study would be of
great value to surrounding communities, both upriver and down river.
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Project Details
Site Location and Description
The community of Akiachak is located on the Kuskokwim river approximately 14 airmiles from
Bethel. The project proposes to erect the meter tower in an open area southwest of the
community, which has relatively good exposure winds coming from the north, and southwest.
This study will determine the best potential locations for wind turbines in the community, and
determine the impacts the nearby vegetation has likely effected measurement of wind from the
north west, north, and north east.
Wind Monitoring Equipment
The wind monitoring equipment consists of a guyed 50m tubular steel mast.
Anemometers are mounted at the 30, 40, and 50 meter levels. Direction vanes are mounted at
the 40 and 50m levels. A data logger and temperature sensor are mounted at 2m. The data
logger is equipped with a cellular data transmission device which transmits recorded data to an
email account on a daily basis.
The configuration and type of instrumentation will include site photos, vegetation heights and
types, GPS, location, elevation, and sensor descriptions, orientations, logger type, collection
channels and installation and placement details.
A LIDAR Unit: WindCube® type or equivalent, will be mounted on a small trailer with an
accompanying power supply. Both the NRG data logger cell modem. The Lidar unit will initially
be deployed adjacent to the met tower, and then redeployed to other locations across the
community.
The tower installed is anticipated to be installed during the Fall 2023 and the monitoring
program conducted through 2023-2024
This scope of work includes:
• Permitting Installation and instrumentation of a meterological tower
• Equipment rental
• Location of Wind Cube trailer
• Establish cell communication and data collection
• Daily downloading of data,
• Resource analysis of resource
• Monthly data comparison and performance estimates
• Potentially 3 relocations of Lidar unit potential development sites
• 4 quarterly reports.
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• Final report
• Removal of tower and equipment
Wind Shear Analysis and Vertical Extrapolation
The 50 m wind data was extrapolated to 80 m hub height for wind flow and energy yield
modeling. The measured data was used to determine power law shear exponents and log
law roughness lengths in 12 direction sectors. Then the directional frequency distribution
will be used to calculate a weighted average shear exponent and roughness length for all
wind directions.
Due to the location and ground cover around the met tower, the wind resource will be evaluated
by comparing wind potential measurements from the Lidar unit with reference plane
displacement (RPD) shear analysis extrapolated to hub height of selected wind turbines. With
RPD and Lidar measurements from various locations, both the height and proximity of trees are
used to calculate an effective offset of the ground surface to account for wind flow over
vegetated and forested areas.
Following the summary shear analysis and extrapolation, the correlated met tower/Lidar
reference plane data can be extrapolated to other selected wind sites and compared to various
hub height and power curves of low wind speed turbines. ( Frontier 24, Frontier 30, EWT 61).
This level of study is expected to determine and confirm the estimated hub height wind speed
at which the average annual wind speed is in the 5-6 m/s range. The ratio of long term hub
height wind speed to measurement height will be used to scale to wind speed, direction and
frequency distribution for subsequent wind flow and energy yield modeling.
Wind Flow Model
The Wind Atlas Analysis and Applications Program (WAsP) will used to extrapolate the
hub height wind resource data from the measurement site to each of the wind turbine
sites. The long term hub height wind speed and direction frequency distribution,
described previously, will be used along with ground elevation and aerodynamic surface
roughness data to produce the WAsP model.
A discreet wind resource file will be calculated for each potential wind turbine site at which the
Lidar is located. Because the Lidar unit is portable, the Lidar measurement unit can be
redeployed on a monthly or quarterly basis to compare resource productivity from multiple
locations around and outside of the community to produce comparative energy yield models.
From a met tower reference site in Akiachak, the Lidar unit can be redeployed to nearby
communities of Akiak, Tuluksak, Kwethluk, and Napaskiak for rapid and subsequently more cost
effective subregional resource assessment.
Task 1 – Lease Equipment to Project
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IES offers to supply and install a fully functional wind monitoring tower with new, calibrated
anemometers, as well as Wind Cube Lidar unit. The unit will be equipped with an I-Pack for
daily downloading of wind data.
The equipment will be leased for 18 months
Task 1 Total $144,000
Task 2 - Install equipment in Akiachak
Equipment will be installed in Akiachak on a fixed price basis. The installation will consist of the
following tasks:
• Install anchors
• Assemble and erect towers
• Program loggers
• Activate cellular loggers
• Prepare site installation report
Assumptions:
• Sites are level and cleared and are accessible by skid steer and trailer
• Equipment will be delivered to Akiachak by barge.
• Ground is assumed to appropriate for the use of screw anchors, embedment with up to
two anchors per guy and 4 per tower base. Tower base will require a ballasted
foundation frame.
• FAA permitting requires painting of tower and the installation of navigation lights, which
will require have been ordered.
Tower Installation $ 41,000
Task 2 Total $ 41,000
Task 3 - Monitor equipment, perform QC on data and submit monthly report
$2000/ month/site/12 months
Additional Equipment needed Cell phone/ ISP - $160/month
3 redeployments of Lidar
Task 3 Total $ 39,000
Task 4 - Prepare final report
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Task 4 Total $ 24,000
Task 5 – Remove equipment
Equipment will be removed from Akiachak; estimated early October 2024.
Tower Removal
Task 5 Total $32,000
Cost Summary – IES Wind Resource Assessment
Milestone FY 2022/24 Total
1 Lease equipment to Project Q1 2023 $ 144,000
2 Install Tower Q3 2023 $ 41,000
3 Data management and Lidar
redeployment
Q3-2023
thru Q3-
2024
$ 39,000
4 Prepare Final Report Q4 2024 $ 24,000
5 Remove Tower Q3-Q4 2024 $ 32,000
Total $ 280,000
Deliverables
IES will provide monthly summary reports on the wind data as well as an annual wind resource
assessment report summarizing the extent of the wind resource.
Schedule
The equipment will be installed before September 30, 2023 , if Authorization to Proceed is
received prior to March 1, 2023. Period of performance is 18 months.
The project can commence work on this project with a purchase order or letter of committal from
an authorized representative.
PROJECT BENEFIT
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An accurate understanding of the wind resource at higher elevations is necessary for
determining wind system viability. The data analysis will enable accurate evaluation of resource
potential and choices optimized around parameters of interest such as, turbine production
compared to local and regional reference sites, These options will be compared to the diesel
operational base lines, and evaluated with respect to the community’s goals.
The turbines to be included in the evaluation include:
• Frontier, 24.4, and 30
• EWT 54, 61
The final report will include an estimate of expected annual energy production from thse turbines
at various locations and configurations as potential renewable energy sources for the community.
The report will also include a initial construction cost estimate for the most productive options.
The outcome of this project will provide a basis for determining the economic viability of wind
energy for this and other similarly situated communities in the Yukon and Kuskokwim regions.
3.0 Project Timeline and Schedule: The table below summarizes timeline, milestones and
deliverables associated with this quote.
Milestone Task Deliverables
Projected
Completion
Date
1 Site characterization Preliminary report 3 months from
start
2 Plan base system design and
instrumentation procurement Onsite assessment report 3 months from
start
3 Installation of monitoring
equipment Monitoring system report 6 months from
project start
4 Data collection and analysis Options analysis repoer
12 to 18
months from
project start
5 Wind Resource Modeling and
site report Final design report 18 months from
project start
The information in this document is proprietary and shall not be distributed, reproduced, used or copied without
the express written consent of IES, LLENERGY SYSTEMS
Page | 11
4.0 Project Team
The following are the senior team members for this project.
Key Personnel
The following individuals and organizations will be the primary technical support for this project.
Intelligent Energy Systems, LLC
Dennis Meiners (Lead Project Manager), Principal and Founder of Intelligent Energy Systems,
LLC (IES). Mr. Meiners will draw on his many years of experience, to manage the overall project
and the project support team, which includes wind technology specialists. IES will be
responsible for the installation and operation of the resource evaluation and equipment
deployment. Mr. Meiners will draw upon many years of Alaskan operating experience with
similar projects. Through Mr. Meiners, IES has demonstrated an on-going commitment to
improving the energy independence of rural Alaskan communities.
Pati Crofut (Grants Manager), Highly experienced rural utility accounting consultant and trainer.
She has been solely responsible for the grant accounting and financial management on
numerous USDA High Energy Cost grants awarded to villages in Western Alaska and
administered through IES.
Dale Letourneau (Electrical Engineer), Specializing in remote, independent energy generation
and both off-grid and grid connected power systems. Mr. Letourneau, has more than 40 years
of experience in design, construction and operation of energy systems. Mr. Letourneau’s
practical engineering approaches originate from his formative years before and during university
working with his family’s electrical supply and contracting business.
Jean-Paul Pinard, PhD, P.Eng. (Consulting Engineer), 27 years of experience in the energy
sector as an engineer, scientist, lecturer, and advocate on renewable energy. Specializes in
wind resource assessments in Arctic and complex terrain. Jean-Paul is the leading wind
resource expert in Northern Canada. His PhD is in cold weather modeling of wind resources.
Mr. Pinard has conducted over 50 detailed wind resource assessments in nearly every
community in Yukon and Northwest Territories. He will be the principal investigator responsible
to installation, set-up and maintenance of the instrumentation. conducting energy modelling and
data analysis. Extensive work with Indigenous communities to empower their renewable energy
economies. Mr. Pinard will be responsible for tower placement, equipment installation and
calibration, as well as data analysis, data quality, and site evaluation.
Carl Brothers, P.E., (Power Integration and Wind Energy Specialist) President of Frontier
Power Systems. Mr. Brothers is the former director of the Atlantic Wind Test Site, Canada’s
premier wind energy test facility. He has been responsible for the development of over 100 MW
of large scale grid connected wind systems and is familiar with the full range of wind
technologies. Mr. Brothers has evaluated the performance of over 20 wind turbines, and is
responsible for some of the most successful community scale and off grid wind diesel systems
The information in this document is proprietary and shall not be distributed, reproduced, used or copied without
the express written consent of IES, LLENERGY SYSTEMS
Page | 12
in Eastern Canada. Mr. Brothers has been responsible for design improvements to mid-sized
wind turbines, and is familiar with cost, deployment, installation and integration issues. He is
involved with the growth of high penetration wind diesel systems across the Arctic. Mr. Brothers
will assist with equipment and site selection, evaluation of data and comparison with similar
projects in other parts of the Arctic and Alaska. Mr. Brothers will assist with program design and
site selection.
Greg Egan (Field Support Specialist), President of Remote Power, Inc. in Fairbanks has over 30
years of experience in remote power systems, data collection and telemetry integration, drawings,
maintenance plans and specifications, and in renewable energy system feasibility studies. Greg
is a journeyman electrician, and expert at small system remote power supplies for
communications equipment across Alaska. He will responsible for the Lidar power supply design.
Ian Knapp Research Technical Specialist, Graduate in statistics with a focus on technical
analysis with a strong desire to contribute to the future of Alaska while becoming a more being a
more skilled and knowledgeable statistician.
Adam Schandler, PEng (Mechanical ), Mr. Schandler has 10 years of mechanical
engineering expertise specifically related to the data collection, analysis, modeling, monitoring
and design of wind power plants. He has expertise in data analysis, sensor calibration, wind
resource assessment, tower placement, Wind Farmer, Windographer, and WASp models. Mr
Schandler and Mr. Pinard together will be responsible for Wind Atlas Analysis and Applications
Program (WAsP) modeling, data quality, and interpretation.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF),
found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form.
You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by
mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410,
by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
Rural Development
Rural Utilities Service
1400 Independence
Ave. SW,
Room 4121-S
Mail Stop 1568
Washington, D.C.
20250
Voice 202.720.9452
Fax 844.929.9883
January 11, 2022
Mr. Edward George
Tribal Administrator
Akiachak Native Community
51070 Main Street
Akiachak, Alaska 99551
Dear Mr. George:
On behalf of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Electric
Programs, I would like to congratulate you on the selection of the Akiachak Native Community for a
competitive High Energy Cost Grant of up to $2,265,809 under the Funding Opportunity
Announcement (FOA) published May 4, 2021 at www.grants.gov (Opportunity No. RD-RUS-HECG21).
This letter confirms your selection for a grant award for the Akiachak Solar-Battery Storage & Energy
Efficiency project to serve the native village of Akiachak, Alaska. (the Project), as described in your
application and additional supporting documents. This letter sets forth the project-specific conditions
for this award.
Our Engineering and Environmental Staff (EE Staff) have classified the project activities as falling
under 7 CFR 1970 sections 1970.54(c)(10), 1870.53(a)(2)(iii), and 1970.53(c)(3), such that an
Environmental Report is required to be prepared in accordance with RD Instruction 1970-B Exhibit C
Guide to Applicants for Preparing Environmental Reports for Categorical Exclusions Under §1970.54.
Before we can obligate funds, our EE staff must determine whether more information is required. The
EE Staff specialist assigned to review this project is listed below along with their contact information:
Suzanne Kopich
Environmental Protection Specialist
Water and Environmental Programs
USDA Rural Utilities Service Room 4121-S
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
Phone: (202) 961-8514
Email: suzanne.kopich@usda.gov
Please coordinate with the EE Staff specialist to facilitate the completion of the environmental review
for your project. Once we receive the proper environmental approval from the EE Staff specialist then
we can proceed forward.
If there is a change in scope, Akiachak Native Community must contact RUS to determine if additional
environmental review is required. Akiachak is responsible for acquiring the necessary permits for
construction and operation of the Project, and for fulfilling any environmental commitments made in the
environmental report for the project.
The Electric Programs staff reviewed your proposal and recommended that the following project-
specific conditions be incorporated into the grant agreement:
1. The Grantee shall carry out the project construction activities as described in the Grant
Project, environmental review, and supporting documents with any subsequent amendments or
revisions as approved by RUS.
2. The Grantee shall submit a proposed project implementation plan including a proposed
project schedule, proposed performance measures, key personnel, and a proposed project budget
including any changes since the submission of the project application for RUS review and approval.
Akiachak Native Community
Notice of Selection and Conditions Letter HECG AK0085-A84 Page 2 of 3
The project implementation plan must be approved in writing by RUS before any request for
reimbursement or advance of funds will be approved. The Grantee will immediately notify RUS in
writing of any changes in project design, schedule, key personnel, or budget.
3. The Grantee shall obtain all necessary permits, licenses, easements, and rights of way for
construction and operation of the Grant and shall incorporate any proposed mitigation into the
project to offset potential impacts to the environment or cultural resources. The Grantee shall contact the
RUS Engineering and Environmental staff immediately if any subsequent changes are proposed related to
the project’s scope prior to or during construction so that they may determine if further Agency environ-
mental review and approval of the revised project are necessary
4. The Grant term will run for three years from the date of the Grant agreement.
5. This Grant Award requires match funding in the amount of $24,000 to be contributed on a pro
rata basis and which must be identified and committed prior to the first advance of funds under this grant.
The Grantee reporting shall ensure that a full description of the nature and cost of the match contribution is
included as part of the overall project implementation plan and cost tracking. RUS reserves the right to
withhold grant disbursements pending confirmation of match contributions consistent with the
Implementation Plan.
6. The Grant Award may be used for advances and reimbursements of eligible project costs as
provided in program regulations at 7 CFR part 1709 and 2 CFR part 200, including eligible pre-award project
costs, where advances are limited to expenditures to be made within 30 days following the advance. Pre-
award expenditures may be reimbursed under certain circumstances where those expenditures are included
in the budget approved in writing by RUS.
7. The Grantee shall request draws under the grant in writing from RUS using Form SF 271
“Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs” and supporting documentation.
RUS will approve the advance or reimbursement for eligible grant activities over the term of the Grant.
8. The Grantee shall provide periodic reports as required by the Grantor.
Quarterly Reports: The Grantee shall report on the expenditure of Grant Funds and any non-
Federal project funds or matching contributions in quarterly financial and progress and performance
narrative reports during the term of the grant. The Grantee shall attach Form SF 425 “Federal Financial
Report” to these reports. Quarterly reports shall be due 30 days from the end of each quarter ending March
31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year. Each quarterly report shall a narrative
description of project implementation actions completed during the period.
Final Expenditure Report: The quarterly report filed after the project has been completed and all
project expenditures finalized shall serve as the final expenditure report.
Annual Report: The last quarterly report of each calendar year shall serve as the project annual
report.
Final Project Report: The Grantee shall provide RUS with a final project report detailing project
performance, final project expenditures, and one full year of operating data including energy produced, fuel
savings, and/or cost savings associated with the project, and community benefits. This report shall include
data which demonstrates whether the following performance objectives with respect to the project as listed
in the grant application have been met:
a. Achieve annual diesel off operations ≥ 900 hours @ $16 = reduced O&M costs $14,400
b. Displace 9,000 gallons of fuel used for power generation @ $5.00 = $45,000
c. Achieve $ 38,903 in annual savings in energy costs incurred for 9 community facility
buildings resulting from energy efficiency improvements
At the written request of the Grantee, RUS may extend the period for filing quarterly, annual, and
final reports.
9. The Grantee shall provide bonding and insurance coverage for the project as described in the
Grant Project and consistent with its own practices and 2 CFR Part 200, or its successors, as applicable.
Akiachak Native Community
Notice of Selection and Conditions Letter HECG AK0085-A84 Page 3 of 3
10. The Grantee shall submit to RUS a copy of an audit prepared in accordance with RUS
regulations on audit requirements at 7 CFR section 1709.21 and consistent with subpart F of 2 CFR Part
200 for any fiscal year in which it expends $750,000 or more in Federal Grant Funds.
Please indicate your acceptance and agreement to the above conditions by returning the attached Form RD 1942-46,
“Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions” signed by an authorized representative of your organization.
To expedite processing of your grant award, you may scan and transmit these forms electronically by e-mail to
robin.meigel@usda.gov or by faxing a single copy of the original to us at (844) 929-9883.
If you cannot agree to these conditions as drafted, please contact me by email to arrange to discuss your concerns.
We will hold your executed Form RD 1942-46 until such time as the environmental review is complete. We then
expect to complete the obligation of funds and issue final award documents. We will forward to you the final grant
agreement incorporating these conditions for your signature.
This letter is not an obligation of Federal funds. No advance of funds will be made until we have received the grant
agreement executed by the individual duly authorized to enter into agreements with the Federal Government on
behalf of your organization.
Once again, congratulations on your selection as a High Energy Cost Grant Award finalist. We look forward to
working with you to deliver the benefits of this program for the native community of Akiachak, Alaska.
Sincerely,
Robin Meigel
Finance Specialist
Electric Programs
cc: Suzanne Kopich, USDA Rural Utilities Service
Dennis Meiners, Intelligent Energy Systems
Enclosure: Form RD 1942-46
AKIACHAK HOMER SUMMARY
Solar PV
(W)
Battery
Storage
(kWh)
Excess
Electricity
(kWh)
Diesel Off
Hours
Fuel
Consumption
(Gal)
Renewable
Fraction
(%)
Diesel
Base Case
- - - - 166,080 0
200 - 526,165 0 160,821 0
200 500 0 2,029 123,776 9.63