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Title: DOE/NREL supported wind energy activities in Alaska

Conference ·
OSTI ID:552000

This paper describes three wind energy projects implemented in Alaska. The first, a sustainable technology energy partnerships (STEP) wind energy deployment project in Kotzebue will install 6 AOC 15/50 wind turbines and connect to the existing village diesel grid, consisting of approximately 1 MW average load. It seeks to develop solutions to the problems of arctic wind energy installations (transport, foundations, erection, operation, and maintenance), to establish a wind turbine test site, and to establish the Kotzebue Electric Association as a training and deployment center for wind/diesel technology in rural Alaska. The second project, a large village medium-penetration wind/diesel system, also in Kotzebue, will install a 1-2 MW windfarm, which will supplement the AOC turbines of the STEP project. The program will investigate the impact of medium penetration wind energy on power quality and system stability. The third project, the Alaska high-penetration wind/diesel village power pilot project in Wales will install a high penetration (80-100%) wind/diesel system in a remote Alaskan village. The system will include about 180 kW installed wind capacity, meeting an average village load of about 60 kW. This program will provide a model for high penetration wind retrofits to village diesel power systems and build the capability in Alaska to operate, maintain, and replicate wind/diesel technology. The program will also address problems of: effective use of excess wind energy; reliable diesel-off operation; and the role of energy storage.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
OSTI ID:
552000
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-440-23409; CONF-9704141-; ON: DE97008397; TRN: 97:005443-0025
Resource Relation:
Conference: Village power `97, Arlington, VA (United States), 14-15 Apr 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Village Power `97. Proceedings; Cardinal, J.; Flowers, L.; Taylor, R.; Weingart, J. [eds.]; PB: 521 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English