Alaska Electric Light and Power (AELP)
AELP requires that basic technical requirements be met before a Qualifying Facility can interconnect with their system. The facility must conform to the National Electrical Code (NEC). In addition the system must have a locking manual disconnect switch, allowing it to be positively isolated from GVEA's system when necessary, which can be switched under full load and padlocked open. The disconnect must be clearly labeled and accessible to utility personnel. The facility must also have adequate over-current protection according to AELP's standards. AELP will also provide their own over-current protection, in accordance with their current practices.

As the above is a summary, CLICK HERE to view the full text of AELP's Small Power Producers regulations.

Chugach Electric
Chugach Electric has produced a very comprehensive 86-page guide to their Interconnection Requirements for Non-Utility Generation. Contact Chugach Electric to request a full copy of their publication by mail.

Contact:
James B. Wilson, Manager
Standards & Engineering Support
Chugach Electric Association, Inc.
PO Box 196300, Anchorage, AK 99519-6300
phone: 907-563-7494 fax: 907-562-0027
http://www.chugachelectric.com/
info@chugachelectric.com

City of Sitka
The City of Sitka does not have specific interconnection requirements. They follow the directives of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, which requires utilities to buy electric power from private Qualifying Facilities at an Avoided Cost rate.

Golden Valley Electric Assoc. (GVEA)
GVEA requires that renewable energy supplied by the homeowner will be routed through a second meter, so the home's grid power usage is tracked on one meter and renewable "sellback" power is tracked on a separate meter. GVEA pays its "avoided" cost. As of October 2000, the avoided rate on GVEA power was approximately 2.5 cents per kWh.

Any renewable energy system producing 10kW of power or less must comply with GVEA's Parallel Interconnection Technical Requirements.

AELP
As with any plan to interconnect a home power system with the local utility company, AELP to arrange any necessary inspections before bringing the power system "on-line."

GVEA
The homeowner is responsible for obtaining any necessary permits for the power system before it is placed into operation. Once the system is fully operational the homeowner must perform and keep records of all required system maintenance and testing and allow GVEA to review the maintenance records and test results upon request.

GVEA has the right to disconnect the home power system from the power grid if they find it necessary. GVEA will consult with the homeowner before doing so in most cases, but if they determine the system must be disconnected immediately and/or the homeowner cannot be reached, GVEA will disconnect the home system without giving notice.

POWER PROJECT STATE LOAN FUND
Created by the Alaska State Legislature and administered by the Alaska Energy Authority (AS 42.45.010), this fund provides loans to local utilities, local governments, regional and village corporations, village councils, nonprofit marketing cooperatives, and independent power producers. It is designed for the development or upgrade of small-scale power production facilities, conservation facilities, and bulk fuel storage facilities.

This includes energy production, transmission and distribution, and waste energy conservation facilities that depend on fossil fuel, wind power, tidal, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric, solar, or other non-nuclear energy sources. The loan term is related to the life of the project. Interest rates are the lesser of the average weekly yield of municipal bonds for the 12 months preceding the date of loan, or a rate determined will allow the project to be financially feasible. Maximum loan amounts may be determined by available funds in the program.

For More Information Visit:
http://www.aidea.org/powerloan.htm
http://www.aidea.org/PPFLoanApplicationInstructions.pdf

Contact:
Jim McMillan
Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority
Alaska Energy Authority
813 W. Northern Lights Boulevard
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-3000
Fax: (907) 269-3044
jmcmillan@aidea.org
http://www.aidea.org

Federal Grant Program
Website: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/farmbill/9006resources.html
Authority 1:

The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program provided funding of almost $23 million to agricultural producers or rural small businesses during 2003. In August 2003, the US Department of Agriculture announced the selection of 113 applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement grants in 24 states totaling $21,207,233. Of these applications, 35 applications totaling $7.4 million supported wind power, 30 applications totaling $7 million supported anaerobic digesters, 6 applications totaling $1.1 million supported solar projects, and 16 applications totaling $3.9 million supported ethanol plants/anaerobic digesters, direct combustion, and fuel pellet systems.

Rural Development grant funds could be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs. Applications for renewable energy systems were allowed for a minimum grant request of $10,000, but no more than $500,000. Applications for energy efficiency improvements were allowed for a minimum grant request of $10,000, but no more than $250,000. Eligible projects included those that derive energy from a wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal source, or hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar, or geothermal energy sources.

Awards were made on a competitive basis for the purchase of renewable energy systems and to make energy improvements. Revised rules and application deadlines for 2004 are expected to be released in the spring and early summer of 2004. Contact the USDA office for your state with questions. A list of state contacts is provided under the NOFA (4/8/03 Notice of Availability).

The USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) issued the NOFA in response to the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, which established the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program under Title IX, Section 9006.

Contact:
Information Specialist - RBS
United States Department of Agriculture
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
USDA/RBS, Room 5045-S, Mail Stop 3201
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250-3201
Phone: (202) 690-4730
Fax: (202) 690-4737
webmaster@rurdev.usda.gov
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs

AELP
As of November 1, 2000, AELP will pay approximately 11 cents per kilowatt-hour for excess power produced by a small wind turbine when the utilities are using diesel generation to meet customer power demands. While AELP's standard hydroelectric power sources are capable of meeting customer power demands, no payments will be made for surplus power generated by small home power facilities.

An updated wind map for Alaska is in develoopment and will be linked from the DOE's Wind Powerin America website when available.

US Department of Energy has produced wind resource maps for each state. The map for Alaska can be found here. You may also find the definitions of Wind Power Classes for the maps helpful. There are additional wind maps for Alaska in the Wind Energy Atlas of the United States, where you can review maps for other locations in the US or get more information about how the maps were created.

You may also find useful information at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This site contains extensive information about wind resources in the United States. 

An electronic copy of the U.S. Department of Energy's 23-page Consumer’s Guide to Small Wind Electric Systems is available at the Wind Powering America web site. A state-specific Consumer’s Guide is available for Alaska, Small Wind Electric Systems: An Alaska Consumer's Guide.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. Another item of interest is the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s web site on wind energy projects and wind energy events/news occurring through out the country.

Alaska Electric Light and Power Company
5601 Tonsgard Court
Juneau, AK 99801
Customer Service: (907) 780-2222
service@aelp.com

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative
Brent Petrie
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-561-1818
fax: 907-561-2388
http://www.avec.org/

Chugach Electric
Steve Gilbert
Chugach Electric Association, Inc.
PO Box 196300, Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 96519
Phone: 907-762-4446
info@chugachelectric.com
http://www.chugachelectric.com/

City of Sitka
City & Borough of Sitka, Electric Department
105 Jarvis Street, Sitka, Alaska 99835
Phone: 907-747-6633
http://www.cityofsitka.com

Golden Valley Electric Assoc. (GVEA)
758 Illinois Street
PO Box 71249
Fairbanks, AK 99707-1249
Business Phone (907) 452-1151
Toll-Free Number (800) 770-GVEA (4832)
Fax: (907) 451-5680
info@gvea.com

Kotzebue Electric Association
Brad Reeve
245 4th and Lagoon Streets
P.O. Box 44
Kotzebue, AK 99752
907-442-3491
Fax: 907-442-2482
http://www.kea.coop/home/

Government Contacts

Martina Dabo
Wind Program Manager
Alaska Energy Authority
813 West Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 907-269-3027
Fax: 907-269-3044
mdabo@aidea.org
http://www.akenergyauthority.org

Curtis Framel
U.S. Department of Energy
Regional Office
800 Fifth Ave., Suite 3950
Seattle, WA 98104-3122
Phone: (206)553-7841
http://www.eren.doe.gov/sro/

Richard Seifert
Cooperative Extension Service
University of Alaska Fairbanks
308 Tanana Loop, Room 215
P.O. Box 756180
Fairbanks, AK 99775-6180
Phone: (907) 474-7201
Fax: (907) 474-5139
ffrds@uaf.edu
http://www.uaf.edu/coop-ext/faculty/seifert 

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