HomeMy WebLinkAboutAlaska Hydropower Presentation for the Community and Regional Affairs Committee 01-30-2020-HREDUCING THE COST OF ENERGY IN ALASKA
Alaska Hydropower
Curtis W. Thayer
Executive Director
Alaska Energy Authority
Community and Regional
Affairs Committee
January 30, 2020
Who We Are
Created in 1976 by the Alaska Legislature, the Alaska
Energy Authority (AEA) is a public corporation of the State
of Alaska governed by a board of directors with the
mission to “reduce the cost of energy in Alaska.” AEA is
the state's energy office and lead agency for statewide
energy policy and program development.
Alaska Energy Authority 2
What We Do
Energy Planning –In collaboration with
local and regional partners, AEA provides
critical economic and engineering analysis
to plan the development of cost effective
energy infrastructure.
Grants and Loans –AEA provides loans to
local utilities, local governments, and
independent power producers for the
construction or upgrade of power
generation and other energy facilities.
Railbelt Energy –AEA owns the Bradley
Lake Hydroelectric Project and the Alaska
Intertie. These assets benefit Railbelt
consumers by reducing the cost of power.
Renewable Energy –AEA provides
renewable energy and energy efficiency
grants, analysis, and expertise to benefit
Alaskans. These include hydro, biomass,
wind, solar, and others.
Power Cost Equalization –The Power Cost
Equalization Program reduces the cost of
electricity in rural Alaska for residential
customers and community facilities.
Rural Energy –AEA constructs bulk fuel
tank farms, diesel powerhouses, and
electrical distribution grids in rural villages.
AEA supports the operation of these
facilities through circuit rider and emergency
response programs.
Alaska Energy Authority 3
Our Projects
AEA works with
its Alaska partners
and stakeholders to
provide reliable and
affordable energy
solutions.
Alaska Energy Authority 4
Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project
Alaska Intertie
Bulk Fuel Upgrades
Rural Power System Upgrades
Rural Utility Assistance
Power Cost Equalization
Renewable Energy Fund Grants
Power Project Fund Loans
Alaska C-PACE
Alternative Energy
Energy Efficiency
Energy Project Development
Programs and Projects
Alaska Energy Authority 5
Hydropower Projects in Alaska
Alaska Energy Authority 6
3 Projects in Construction
6 Projects in Design
51 Projects in Operation
Alaska Electric Energy Generation (2017)
Alaska Energy Authority 7
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Coal
Natural
gas
Oil
Wind
Hydro18%
27%
Two Types of
Hydropower Projects
Alaska Energy Authority 9
Traditional Storage projects tend to
be more expensive, require terrain
chokepoints, and require more time
for permitting and construction.
Bradley Lake
Snettisham
Susitna-Watana
Swan Lake
Sweetheart Lake
Terror Lake
Traditional Storage
Alaska Energy Authority 10
Run of River projects are lower
cost and tend to be permitted
and constructed quicker.
Delta Creek
Five Mile Creek
Gartina Falls
Humpback Creek
Knutson Creek
Nuyakuk River
Thayer Creek
Run of River
Important Terms
Capacity of a generator is
measured in megawatts (MW) or
kilowatts (kW) at a single point
in time.
Project Energy is power over
time. Commonly measured as
Megawatt -hours (MWh) or
kilowatt-hours (kWh).
House on the Alaska Railbelt
may use 500-600 kWh per
month energy.
Alaska Hydropower
Projects in Operation
Alaska Energy Authority 13
Alaska Hydropower Projects in Operation
51 operational hydropower
projects in Alaska
Three projects under construction
to increase Statewide capacity by
5.5 MW to be completed in 2020
Projects in design/funding to
increase capacity by nearly 491
MW
14
Alaska Energy Authority 14
State Involvement in Hydropower Projects
State of Alaska owns over 40% of
Statewide hydropower capacity
Bradley Lake (AEA)
Snettisham (AIDEA)
State of Alaska through
AEA/AIDEA has supported the
development of more than two
thirds of Statewide hydropower
capacity
Alaska Energy Authority 15
Bradley Lake
Located 25 miles northeast of
Homer and serves Railbelt
Capacity of 120 MW
Completed in 1991
Funding by State of Alaska and
Railbelt utilities
Owned by AEA and managed to
maximum extent by Railbelt
utilities
Alaska Energy Authority 16
Located 30 miles southeast of
Juneau and serves Juneau
Capacity of 78 MW
Initial completion of 1973
Funded by Federal
Government
Owned by AIDEA, managed
by AEA, and operated by
Alaska Electric Light & Power
Snettisham
Alaska Energy Authority 17
Four Dam PoolPower Authority
AEA sold to local utilities
in 2002
Solomon Gulch
Swan Lake
Terror Lake
Tyee Lake
Proceeds helped establish
Power Cost Equalization
Program Endowment
Alaska Hydropower
Projects in Construction
Alaska Hydropower Projects in Construction
Four projects under construction
to increase Statewide energy by
5.5 MW to be completed in
2020.
Gunnuk Creek
Hidden Basin
Hiilangaay
West Fork Upper Battle Creek
Alaska Energy Authority 19
Alaska Energy Authority 20
Gunnuk Creek
Located in Kake, Alaska
Capacity 0.5 MW
Completion 2020
Funded by AEA grant and
Inside Passage Electric
Cooperative financing
Owned by Inside Passage
Electric Coop
Located 22 miles southeast
of Kodiak, and serves City of
Kodiak and surrounding
communities
Capacity zero
Completed December 2019
Financed and owned by
Kodiak Electric Association
Alaska Energy Authority 21
Hidden Basin
Alaska Energy Authority 22
Located 8 miles East of
Hydaburg and serve Prince
of Wales Island
Capacity 5 MW
Completion 2020
Funded by AEA ,grants, loans
and Alaska Power &
Telephone
Owned by Haida Energy
Hiilangaay
West Fork UpperBattle Creek
Located 2 miles southwest
of Bradley Lake dam
Capacity zero
Completion 2020
Funded by AEA grant and
Railbelt utilities
Owned by AEA
Alaska Energy Authority 23
Alaska Hydropower
Projects in Design
Alaska Energy Authority 25
Alaska Hydropower Projects in Design
Projects in design/funding
to increase Statewide
energy by greater than 491
MW hours
Nuyakuk River
Susitna-Watana
Sweetheart Lake
Thayer Creek
Alaska Energy Authority 26
Located 50 miles north of
Dillingham and would serve regional
communities
Capacity ~12 MW
Completion date: TBD
Funding: TBD
Owned by Nushagak Electric &
Telephone Cooperative
2019 Senate Bill 91 passed and
allows for the development and
operation of a hydro facility in the
State Park
Nuyakuk River
Located ~125 miles northeast
of Anchorage and serve
Railbelt
Average capacity 459 MW
Average annual energy
2,800,000 MWh
Completion Date: TBD
Funding: TBD
Owned by: TBD
Alaska Energy Authority 27
Susitna-Watana
28
Alaska Energy Authority 28
Located 33 miles
southeast of Juneau and
serve region
Capacity 19.9 MW
Completion Date: TBD
Funding: TBD
Juneau Hydropower Inc.
Sweetheart Lake
Located 6 miles north of
Angoon and serve Angoon
Capacity 0.85 MW
Completion Date: TBD
Funding by AEA,
Kootznoowoo Inc. and Inside
Passage Electric Cooperative
Owned by Kootznoowoo Inc.
Alaska Energy Authority 29
Thayer Creek
AEA provides energy solutions
to meet the unique needs and
opportunities of Alaska’s rural
and urban communities.
REDUCING THE COST OF ENERGY IN ALASKA
SAFE,
RELIABLE, &
AFFORDABLE
ENERGY
SOLUTIONS
ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY
813 West Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Phone: (907) 771-3000
Fax: (907) 771-3044
Toll Free (888) 300-8534
akenergyauthority.org
For more information, please contact AEA Executive Director Curtis W. Thayer
REDUCING THE COST OF ENERGY IN ALASKA