HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectrical Emergency Assistance Program Fact Sheet 04-2018-AALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY
WWW.AKENERGYAUTHORITY.ORG
REDUCING THE COST
OF ENERGY IN ALASKA
FOR MORE INFO
CONTACT:
Alan Fetters
Rural Assistance Manager
AFETTERS@AIDEA.ORG
907.771.3000
QUICK FACTS
ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
"Electrical
Emergency"
means a
condition in a
utility's
system that
presents an
imminent
danger to life
or likelihood
of significant
disruption of
electrical
service.
CURRENT STATUS
In the first quarter of calendar year 2018, AEA received two requests for electrical
emergency assistance: one from Kwethluk and one from Newtok.
AEA provided electrical emergency assistance to the community of Kwethluk. The utility
Kwethluk Incorporated, contacted AEA late afternoon of December 18, 2017 indicating
power was out in the community. The problem appeared to be distribution related. AEA
was able to walk them through restoring partial power the next day. About noon on
December 19, 2017 AEA staff located a contractor that was in the area in Kipnuk and asked
if they could assist. The contractor agreed and was able to arrive in Kwethluk that early
evening. The contractor located and isolated the distribution fault and was able to restore
power to the entire community.
AEA provided electrical emergency assistance to the community of Newtok. On the
morning of Feb 5th, the power in Newtok went out. The Ungusraq Power Company’s (UPC)
only available diesel engine generator set went offline. It was emitting black smoke and
when under load would backfire. The UPC local operators unsuccessfully attempted to
diagnose and fix the unit. They have no other available units. Wednesday morning Feb 6th
they called the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management State
Emergency Operation Center (SEOC). The SEOC contacted AEA and asked if they could
provide assistance to UPC. The school, water plant and telco were on their standby diesel
engine generator sets. AEA contacted UPC and telephonically worked with the local
operators to diagnose the issue as failed injectors. The utility had only two new injectors
but the engine potentially needed a total of six. AEA located 3 additional injectors in
Wasilla. Coincidentally AEA had its Circuit Rider technician already in route to Bethel
Tuesday morning for another project. The technician was diverted to standby for the
injectors in Bethel and then flew onto Newtok Wednesday Feb 7th. The injectors were
replaced and the engine inspected for damaged. Power was restored Wednesday night. The
UPC should procure another set on replacement injectors to have on site as spares. It is
recommended they have at least one additional diesel engine set available, total of at least
two, to provide reliable power to their customers.
APRIL 2018
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Under 3 AAC 108.200 -240 the Alaska Energy Authority provides on-call emergency response
to a communities to reduce imminent threat to life or property during extended power
outages.
If an eligible utility suffers an electrical emergency, the Authority will, subject to the
availability of appropriations, assist the utility in responding to the emergency and recovering
the ability to generate and transmit power to the utility's customers. Assistance may include
financial assistance or technical assistance, including emergency repairs.
"Electrical emergency" means a condition in a utility's system that presents an imminent
danger to life or likelihood of significant disruption of electrical service.
AEA responds to a real or potential emergency situation before disaster or major loss occurs.
Emergency response can include the repair of existing infrastructure or the procurement
and/or installation of new equipment including engines, generators, and transformers.
Current funding is by Alaska legislative appropriation for procurement of manpower,
materials, and equipment during the emergency.