The Alaska Energy Authority has accepted a $206.5 million federal grant, part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, to build a 38-mile submarine transmission line across Cook Inlet. This project will quadruple the transmission capacity from the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project near Homer and future renewable projects on the Kenai Peninsula, increasing renewable energy distribution along the Railbelt grid. The total $413 million project, likely the largest construction project outside the North Slope oil fields, will support Alaska's clean energy infrastructure and help stabilize Alaska's energy prices and supplies.

Alaska regulators have conditionally approved a $57 million pipeline extension by Alaska Pipeline Co., an affiliate of Enstar Natural Gas, to potentially import natural gas into Alaska via Port MacKenzie, addressing anticipated shortages in the Cook Inlet basin. Enstar forecasts a local gas supply shortage starting next year, prompting the move to diversify supply sources despite the expected increase in power and heating bills. The final decision on importing liquefied natural gas has not yet been made, but Enstar is urgently evaluating the feasibility and plans to file a gas sales agreement by the end of the year.

In March 2022, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in Arkansas met over 90% of its electricity demand with renewable energy, primarily wind power. This demonstrated that high renewable penetration can be achieved without compromising grid reliability. Despite challenges, regions like Texas and California are also successfully integrating large amounts of renewable energy, and Alaska can too.

The Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) is offering technical assistance and up to $50,000 for Alaska communities interested in moving to more sustainable energy sources. REAP’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) emphasizes community-led approaches and education to reduce reliance on costly and unreliable fuel sources and boost local economies. Applications are open until July 10, 2024.

Giant batteries are transforming U.S. electricity by storing excess solar and wind power to extend the availability of these “intermittent” renewable sources. These batteries stabilize grids, manage renewable energy variability, and support peak demand, advancing the shift to sustainable energy across the nation.

Tidal energy from Cook Inlet could power half of Anchorage, according to a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report. With grid upgrades to enable integration, Cook Inlet Tidal can help Alaska achieve its target of 80% renewable energy powering its main grid by 2040.

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded over $20 million to six Alaska communities for clean energy projects. These projects, part of the Energy Improvement in Rural and Remote Areas (ERA) grant program, will install solar PV systems, battery storage, and heat pumps to reduce energy costs, enhance climate resilience, and support local economies.

The Alaska Senate unanimously approved a measure enabling Alaskans to collectively invest in renewable energy projects. Subscribers can now share the benefits if the project generates surplus electricity sold to local utilities.

Alaskan energy researcher Gwen Holdmann delves into today's energy transition by stepping back in time to examine the last big one—electrification. Gwen explores the impacts and challenges large-scale energy transition can bring through the words and voices of those who experienced it firsthand in rural Alaska.

Amidst a declining Cook Inlet gas producer market, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory released a report saying that prioritizing expanding renewable energy sources such as solar and wind farms will be cheaper for the Railbelt electric grid. Leveraging existing federal tax credits could further slash renewable project costs by up to 40%.