HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmmonak Alakanuk Wind Turbines 2016-WEmmonak, Alaska
Emmonak School participates in Wind for Schools program
Quick Facts
Total Project Costs: $8.9 million
Funding: Renewable Energy Fund & Local Match
Capital Costs
Design: $24,235
Construction: $8,867,392
Equipment Specifications
Make/Model: (4) Northern Power 100B
Rated Capacity: 100 kW
Net Capacity Factor: 17.7%
Rotor Diameter: 21 meters
Hub Height: 37 meters
Total Rated Capacity: 400 kW
Diesel Fuel Offset
Estimated Annual: 55,785 gallons
Actual Annual: 35,000 gallons
Sept. 2011-Dec. 2014: 111,000 gallons
Fuel Savings
Estimated Annual: $205,017
Actual Annual: $136,000
Sept. 2011-Dec. 2014: $435,000
Emmonak/Alakanuk Wind Turbines
Project Overview
In partnership with the Alaska Energy Authori-
ty (AEA), the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative
(AVEC) completed the final design and construction
of a wind project to provide power to the communi-
ties of Emmonak and Alakanuk. Four 100 kW North-
wind turbines were installed in additon to a 9.5 mile,
160-pole transmission line from Emmonak to Alaka-
nuk.
Objectives
The main objectives of this project were to displace
expensive diesel fuel and provide Emmonak and
Alakanuk with a renewable, reliable, and cost effective
energy source.
Economic Feasibility
The project became operational in September of 2011.
Between September of 2011 and December of 2014,
it generated 1,560 Megawatt hours of electricity and
displaced 111,000 gallons of diesel fuel. This displace-
ment saved the communities $435,000 in just over
three years. Over its 20-year projected lifespan, the
project has a calculated benefit/cost ratio of .99.
Project Specifications
The four 100 kW turbines were provided by Northern
Power. They have a design life of over 20 years and
an operating temperature between -40 degrees F to
+122 degrees F. Winter temperatures in Emmonak
and Alakanuk typically range from -35 to +25 degrees
F, so the turbines have no trouble operating during
the coldest months. Wind energy is classified on a
scale from 1 to 7, 1 being poor and 7 being superb.
Emmonak is a high Class 3 for power generation. The
9.5-mile transmission line connects the communities Emmonak School, photo courtesy of Skweskimos.com
of Emmonak and Alakanuk so that they can share the
harnessed energy.
Allocation of Funding
The Alaska Energy Authority’s Renewable Energy
Fund (REF) granted $8 million for the project’s design
and construction. Local funds contributed $891,627
which were used for the same project phases.
Learning Experiences/Challenges
Although originally proposed as a $10.7 million proj-
ect, the scope changed with the $4 million cap applied
to each community for a total REF grant of $8 million.
The scope was reduced from 6 to 4 turbines and the
transmission line increased to 9.5 miles due to better
ground and barge access.
Like much of northern Alaska, Emmonak and Alaka-
nuk are located on permafrost zones. Construction
crews took this into account by engineering 60-foot
steel pilings with a prefabricated concrete sectional cap
on each turbine’s foundation. These were engineered
to isolate the turbine from the permafrost and damp-
en vibrations. This was a necessary innovation to deal
with unique geotechnical and logistical conditions.
Community Benefits
Electricity costs from diesel average about $0.50/kWh,
compared with $0.21/kWh with wind energy. This
savings is important for the schools especially, which
use substantial electricity for lighting and heating
during the school year. Both Emmonak and Alakanuk
are subject to subzero temperatures, extended periods
of darkness, blowing snow, and other factors that make
electricity and heat essential.This project also provides
excess energy for water heating at the school and water
plant.
Emmonak School was one of five Alaska schools cho-
sen to participate in the 2014 spring Wind for Schools
(WfS) program. The Renewable Energy Alaska Project
brought the WfS curriculum to classes. During their
visit they facilitated WfS activities with teachers and
students, provided the school with a wind experiment
kit, and brought in real wind data so that students
could see how the wind turbines contribute to their
community’s overall energy production. Using wind
energy as a keystone, students learn about energy
science, energy sources, climate change, physics, and
mathematics.
Project Contact Information
Parties Involved:
Kirstin Enanoria, AVEC
Email: kenanoria@avec.org
Case Study Author:
Zoe Tressel, AEA
Website: Akenergyauthority.org
Phone: 907-771-3000
Emmonak, Alaska
Northern Power 100 turbines, photo courtesy of AEA.
Northern Power Tur-
bines, photo courtesy
of Solsticeak.com
Published August, 2015