EP03 - Energy Speaker Series - Pathways to Cleaner Electricity

In Episode 07 of Renewable Radio we continue our conversation with REAP Executive Director, Chris Rose, as we take a closer look at Alaska's Railblet Electric Grid. We cover the rule making process that the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) is currently undergoing related to the passing of SB 123. You will learn about how the RCA is approaching their duty in creating new rules and what details will be covered in these rules.

Tune into Renewable Radio for a closer look at the electric grid that runs between Homer and Fairbanks, known as the "Railbelt." REAP Operations Director, Greg Stiegel, sat down with REAP Executive Director, Chris Rose, to talk about the history of the electric utilities in this region. After decades of work, the recently signed into law SB 123 will be require the creation of a new entity that will finally make tangible steps to unify the Railbelt Grid. Listen to Part I of this conversation to get some background info on the Railbelt, hear why grid reform is important, and get introduced to how SB 123 will help our electric grid progress. 

In the final installment of our live events for the season we will hear from area experts on the development of building science in Alaska focusing on energy use in public buildings. This is a moderated panel discussion with Mark Masteller, University of Alaska professor and President of the Alaska Center for Appropriate Technologies, Dale Smythe, Senior Architect at Bettisworth North, and Alan Mitchell, Owner of Analysis North. The discussion is moderated by Chris McConnell, Director for the Alaska Network for Energy Education and Employment, a REAP program. A video version of this podcast is featured on our Youtube page, so feel free to watch that to see any slides that are referenced during the discussion. 

Enjoy the fourth installment to our live event series from the Fall of 2019. In this episode we will hear the latest on tidal energy research from Levi Kilcher, Researcher for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. We will also get a glimpse at what ORPC is working on in igiugig from Nathan Johnson, Vice President of Development. ORPC recently deployed the first year-round in-river generator and has plans to deploy a second unit soon. This episode is more presentation focused, and we have it posted in video format on our Youtube page if you would like to follow along with the slides. Search "Renewable Energy Alaska Project" on Youtube to watch. 

Join us for the third live event of the Fall 2019 season as we take a closer look at the Railbelt electric grid (from Homer to Fairbanks), and what can be done to improve efficiencies. This is a moderated panel discussion with Chris Rose, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Alaska Project, Veri di Suvero, Executive Director of the Alaska Public Interest Research Group, and Philip Wight, Renewable Energy Campaigner for the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition. It is moderated by Greg Stiegel, Operations Director for Renewable Energy Alaksa Project. All of our live events are posted in video form where you can see slides that were used during the presentation. Search "Renewable Energy Alaska Project" on Youtube to watch this episode. 

Listen to the second installment of our live Energy Speaker Series. Chris Rose, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Alaska Project, Issac Vanderburg, CEO of Launch Alaska, and Gwen Holdmann, Director of the Alaska Center for Energy and Power discuss how their three organizations work together in promoting policies, developing research and technology, and bringing innovators together to build a comprehensive clean energy picture in Alaska. All of our live events are posted as videos on our Youtube page as well, so feel free to watch the event and see the slides used by searching "Renewable Energy Alaska Project" on Youtube. 

Renewable Energy Alaska Project is excited to launch its podcast with the audio from our live public outreach events, the Energy Speaker Series, in which we bring in experts to discuss energy related topics that are pertinent to Alaska's energy landscape. In the first installment of this series we examine the rise of electric vehicles. The discussion is moderated by Shaina Kilcoyne (Municipality of Anchorage Solid Waste Services), and the panel is comprised of Brian Hickey (Chugach Electric Association), Julie Estey (Matanuska Electric Association), and Dimitri Shein (Alaska Electric Vehicle Association). The event starts with a short presentation by Shaina, is followed by a moderated discussion, and finishes with 25 minutes of audience Q+A. Enjoy!