Belated Blogging

Long time no blog! Work and recreation has kept me going, going, going, hence the lack of updates. Since I last posted, work has geared up in preparation for the Renewable Energy Fair. I should also note that we have a new Governor, as I’m sure you all have heard. I’ve completed quite a bit of design work, including the fair logo, posters for the fair and for another REAP event (both of which are now plastered up all over Anchorage as well as towns all over AK!), the 20-page fair program, the fair tee shirt, and about 15 or so pieces of major signage that will up around the fairground this coming Saturday (eek! Lots to get done before then!).

 

We’re working frantically to get all the materials and people in the right place at the right time for the fair. Our keynote speaker, interestingly, is Chet Culver, Governor of Iowa. He’s done quite a bit in his state with regard to renewable energy and job creation, including the establishment of the Iowa Power Fund (see below). His talk is entitled “Renewable Energy and Green Jobs of the Future.”

 

The Power Fund was created to be a tool for OEI, the Power Fund Board, and the Due Diligence Committee to use to promote the goals of Iowa energy independence. Power Fund money is appropriated to the office to be used in providing financial assistance to entities conducting business, research, or programs in Iowa:

(1) To accelerate research and development, knowledge transfer, technology innovation, and improve the economic competitiveness of efforts.
(2) To increase the demand for and educate the public about technologies and approaches.

 

After the fair closes, it will be crunch time for my commuter rail project. I’ve decided that the paper I’m required to write for this internship will be about transit – an unexpected and interesting turn to my summer!

 

Well that’s work, how about play?

 

I spent fourth of july weekend between Anchorage, Girdwood, and Hope. I enjoyed the Girdwood Forest Fair, made a stop in Whittier to climb up to a view of the glacier there (and swam, I might add! My coworker Jonathan and I have developed a habit of jumping into glacial-fed bodies of water), and ended the weekend camping in beautiful and small Hope, Alaska.

 

I’ve taken some great backpacking trips and hikes in the past month or so. I’ve been on two overnights in two different sections of the Hatcher’s Pass area, up by Wasilla (home to our FORMER Governor). The first was a 18-mile (round trip) excursion through a valley following the Little Susitna River to Mint Glacier. This was a wonderful trip, although there were some casualties – Algu killed two beavers!

 

The second major hike was this past weekend, up to Reed Lakes in Hatcher’s Pass. It’s only 4 miles up, but what really counts is the elevation gain, which was pretty significant. Also it was raining, but that’s pretty typical for Alaskan summer (although not this summer, up until this week!). After taking an accidental mile detour across a very steep wall of boulders, my hiking partner and I rerouted and came up on a beautiful lake amidst the ridges. Hatcher’s pass is the site of some old mines, and the scenery is just incredible. Watching the clouds roll in at night and settle around the tops of the mountains is mysterious and beautiful. There was one casualty on this hike as well, I’m afraid – Aglu got to a marmot. (Pictures soon to come, I promise!!)

 

Tonight I’m headed out to hike up Flattop Mountain in Anchorage – the most popular hike in the area. I feel like I have to do it before I leave! Now that it’s been raining, the smoke from the forest fires has cleared out, so the views should be great. J

 

What comes next? After the fair I’ll be taking a road trip with my mom, dad, and my dad’s cousin up to Denali. I’m really looking forward to sharing Alaska with them! A few weekends from now I’ll be heading down towards Homer and taking the ferry to Kodiak, which I’m very excited about! My friend and former Alaskan roommate Megan Sharkey is now working on a fishing boat down there, so it will be great to see her again.

 

The wheels have been turning in my head – how can I get paid to come back here next summer?? I’m working on the solution to that problem, and I think there may be a niche for me here in terms of graphic design work for conservation groups. I’m completely enamored of Alaska and I don’t think my time here ends on August 22^nd. Twelve weeks just isn’t enough time!

Here are some photos of the first hike I took in Hatcher's Pass with Jonathan, Erin, and Jenny (and Aglu). As you can see, there's some photographic proof that both Aglu and I enjoyed the cold glacial waters! Also, that's Erin and I trying to summit a big rock :P

Goings-on!

Here's an update on life in Alaska:

 

I’ve loved getting out and about! Last weekend I hiked up Bird Ridge with some friends. The trailhead is south of town on the Glenn Highway. Quite a steep trail! But the views at the top were well worth the climb – I’ll include the pictures here.

 

Since I last wrote REAP hosted a Wind Diesel Forum at the Anchorage Museum. Speakers included Steve Drouilhet from Sustainable Automation, Inc., Martha Dabot from TDX Power, James F. Manwell from UMass Amherst, and James Jensen from AEA. It was a good opportunity for me to learn about wind-diesel hybrid systems (systems that switch between diesel power generation and intermittent wind generation), a technology that is particularly pertinent to Alaska, where remote communities are in need of cheaper methods of power generation that use less diesel fuel (which is expensive to transport).  I learned about the challenges of wind/diesel – varying load, varying wind speeds, different types of storage (battery, pump, etc.), creating a control system that smoothes out these fluctuations, and dealing with the limitations of diesel generators.

 

Something interesting that my boss is involved with: IRP (Railbelt Integrated Resource Plan). At this point, this project exists only conversationally and in the form of a business model, but it aims to integrate the 6 regional utilities under one body. Seventy percent of Alaska’s population lives along the area in question. Chris Rose is on an advisory committee to the state that is aiming to create a 30-year plan for future generation and transmission in the railbelt. Current legislation addressing the IRP, if it passes, is merely permissive, not mandatory, and only the Governor has the power to force the matter. The business plan I mentioned, commissioned a few years ago by Representative Rokenburg, details one body in charge of building generators and transmission and 6 “distribution coops,” the current 6 utilities.

 

And finally – I rode the Chugach Explorer during its dedication! It was a great ride for several reasons. One, it was a stunning day in the Chugach National Forest, complete with black bear and bald eagle sightings; two, I was riding with such public figures as Senator Begich, the new Mayor Sullivan of Anchorage, Mayor Rupright of Wasilla, and various members of the railroad, the forest service, and the conservation community. The ride marked a partnership between the railroad and the forest service, but each speech included a reference to “the potential of commuter rail,” which was encouraging. When I finally managed to tear my face away from the windows, I spoke with Bruce Carr, Director of Strategic Planning at the ARRC (the railroad) about my marketing document project. He seemed on board and willing to help.

 

As for the fair – I finished up the poster and sent it to the printer and am plugging content into the program. We’ve been getting merchandise like tees and water bottles ordered. Jenny, the Yale intern (and my new running buddy) is working hard collecting donations and items for the silent auction, and Jonathan (Americorps VISTA) is getting various exhibits prepared (like phantom load, wall insulations cross sections, and more!). I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that the weather on August 1^st is as perfect as it has been so far this summer.

 

Ok that’s all for now folks!

Oh I forgot one thing! Last Friday I went to a bluegrass festival in Sutton, north of Anchorage. It was great, and purely Alaskan - disguised from tourists by a "Picker's Retreat - Family Fun" Sign along the side of the road (I infiltrated). :P

 

 

Here’s a link to the study I mentioned:

 http://www.akenergyauthority.org/REGAFiles/9-12-08_AlaskaRailbeltREGAStudy_MasterFinalReport.pdf

Also, be sure to check out REAP's great new website! 

http://alaskarenewableenergy.org

or: REalaska.org

made it to the top! Elevation about 4,000 ft.

That last one is Jenny, Erin and me stopping on the way to my boss's place and the bluegrass festival on Friday