Photo: Cleantech Communication
A solar-plus-storage microgrid will help the remote Arctic community of Shungnak break its dependence on a diesel generator power plant, saving an estimated 25,000 gallons of fuel or $200,000 per year. "Thanks to the energy storage system, we can turn the diesels off but keep the lights on in the community," says Rob Roys, chief innovation officer at Launch Alaska. "It also gives the local utility the ability to run on 100% clean energy for hours at a time." The resilient microgrid automatically coordinates between solar and energy storage to ensure the lowest cost power. In winter, the batteries can still be recharged from the generators if necessary. "Milestone projects such as this are an exciting promise to the people of both Alaska and rural communities around the world for an energy resilient future," says Ava Gibson of Blue Planet Energy, which installed the system.
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