Green energy could be the cheaper option

Nome Joint Utility Systems are working to reduce energy costs by exploring alternatives to traditional diesel fuel oil to generate electricity.

A $2 million grant from the Alaska Energy Authority will contribute to a battery project for Nome to store wind energy that would otherwise go unused. The remaining $500,000 cost of the battery is coming from NJUS, according to NJUS Assistant Utilities Manager Ken Morton.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports electricity prices in Alaska’s rural areas can be three to five times higher than the rates in urban areas. Reliance on diesel fuel is expensive and is motivating NJUS to find alternative energy sources.

“The less fuel oil we consume the less energy costs,” Morton said.

The battery system will serve as a storage space for wind energy and reinforce the system in case of a failure. It’s currently sitting in China after not making the last barge shipment to Nome for the season but will arrive next summer. Once in Nome it will be placed in two Conex boxes outside the power plant.

A smaller diesel generator is always running as a backup to the wind turbines, if both turbines are operating and suddenly drop off, the battery system would provide energy to the city for about a half hour. The energy grid would be sustained by the battery system while NJUS fires up an additional diesel generator, Morton explained.

“The goal is to operate smaller diesel generators during the summer and save fuel oil,” said Morton.

Continuing with their efforts to use less fuel oil, NJUS recently placed a grant application to the Alaska Energy Authority’s renewable energy fund to add a megawatt of solar energy to their operations.

According to Morton, Nome’s best periods of wind energy occur in the spring and fall, a solar panel system would allow for energy collection during the time when wind falls short. Solar energy would also be incorporated into the battery bank.

NJUS is looking to other projects including greater wind, solar and battery power for the community.

“The plan is to take advantage of economically advantageous opportunities,” Morton said.