Robert Seitz: Power transition is more complicated in Alaska than many realize

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By ROBERT SEITZ

I’m still evaluating climate and weather issues around Alaska, but I’m going pass on that topic this week and return to energy and electrical power systems in Alaska.  

Specifically I will discuss difficulties for our transition from hydrocarbon fuels to variable energy sources, in particular those that utilize inverters to connect to the grid. The topics are technically complex, to be sure, so I will not delve into the technical details but only address the type of issues I have been made aware of.

Thinking about the total quantity of inverter-based resources that are being added to grids around the country and being planned around Alaska Railbelt, makes me shudder at the increased risk of failure of the grid when we must trust all the semiconductor components that will be present in those inverter-based resources I’m not referring to the control and communications components but the power semiconductors used in all the inverters that will have high currents and high voltages, with risk of hot spots and eventual failure from heat effects.

Restoring a grid after a failure when the grid is operating with inverter-based resources and not fuel-fired internal combustion engines is much more complicated than restoring the system with standby diesel-fueled generators. Utilities will need a number of recovery plans in place to adequately contend with the nature and location of various failures

Developing computer models of an inverter-based resource or hybrid IBR/rotating machine system is more complicated than modeling a rotating machine system,  as modeling data is not available for all the IBR equipment available. Current standards for IBR do not require internal fault information which can be shared with associated protective relays used in an electrical system to ensure proper interaction.

Let me be clear: I am not referring to rooftop residential and commercial IBR applications or even the remote communities’ application of renewable resources and IBR/hybrid installations. The extent, rating, physical size, and location of these installations ensure they are much less complex, require little controls, and allow for frequent evaluation of performance and condition. The rooftop solar panels and the integration of renewables into the remote communities has generally been successful, although there have been challenges. It is the large quantity of utility scale installations that cause me concern.

As mentioned, the timeline is long for development of sufficient renewable or alternate energy resources to allow significant transition of the Railbelt Electrical system. In addition, there are a lot of complexities with incorporating these resources into the existing system that require training of utility personnel and planning for what to add and how to add it to the system. I have hosted training sessions to provide instruction to utility engineers in Alaska about the requirements included in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards that cover the installation of Distributed Energy Resources. We are working on developing more workshops to cover some of the complexities that have been found to complicate the transitions.

I continue to advocate for not mandating rapid increase in the addition of renewable energy resources to the Railbelt Electric Utility. I still advocate for the use of pumped hydro or other long-duration energy storage to allow the addition of wind and solar sources to be of immediate benefit to the Railbelt Utility. I will point out that long-duration energy storage for Alaska is needed for months at a time, and not just days or a week, as it is elsewhere in the USA.  Along that line, I support keeping the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project facility and adapting it to become a pumped hydroelectric resource to benefit the utility.

I am disappointed that more was not accomplished with improving the conditions that would allow rapid increase in Cook Inlet natural gas production and distribution this last legislative session.  As already addressed, the timelines for other resources is too long to allow a decrease in gas production at this time.  

In the winter in Alaska, when we have a high pressure dome over much of the state, the sun is not very intense and there is very little wind blowing, so Alaskans have no tolerance for running out of our natural gas fuel supply — even for a day.  

Increased production of Cook Inlet gas should still be much cheaper than importing LNG.  Dedicated people are working on the various distributed energy resources, but we need dedicated people working diligently on increasing production of Cook Inlet gas.

 Robert Seitz is a professional electrical engineer and lifelong Alaskan.

Robert Seitz: Yes, I actually am qualified to discuss climate and energy issues
Robert Seitz: Maybe we don’t have much climate change happening after all
Robert Seitz: All of Alaska depends on Railbelt energy
Robert Seitz: Climate, politics, and energy in Alaska

18 COMMENTS

  1. Common sense goes a long way when it comes to solving future energy issues.
    Which the majority of Anchorage ASSembly has none of as they pander their ignorance to a small group of indigenous who are also completely reliant on the Eklutna dam facility just to survive.

    The legislators are littered with the same ignorance (Dunbar, Gray, Jackson, Tobin etc.) with just enough deflection to keep any valuable decisions regarding energy security while they argue why boys and girls should be playing on the same team and showering together.
    Which deflects from the important energy issues of which they haven’t a clue how to solve or listen to reasonable warnings from people who have done research.

  2. Two possible solutions for consideration:

    1.) Small Modular Reactor (SMR)
    ‘https://small-modular-reactors.org/list-of-20-smr-companies/

    2.) Utilize the Wind & Solar, during times of optimal opportunity, to power necessary Hydrogen Generator Production, storing the hydrogen in tanks – vessels, to be used to fire up electric power generators. The unit from Mellinium Reign Energy, specifically the “SFHA Model 300 – Scalable Hydrogen Fueling Appliance” could potentially be upscaled, or simply a series of multiple units, to be sufficient to meet the demand. Could be a possible solution for remote villages.
    ‘https://residentialhydrogenpower.com/product/sfha-model-300/

    Also, might consider appropriate protections with regards to the inverters against High Electric Magnetic Pulse events.

      • Option-1 … The NuCor SMR units are expensive. As a matter of fact, there project in Idaho Falls was cancelled due to rising costs escalations, as costs basically doubled.

        Option-2 … Each of these units are approx $450K, and probably produce about 12kg/24-hr. There might be some applications in small villages that would be a good fit. But, if you want 20MW size capacity, then you’ll have to look – research into what Hitachi offers.
        ‘https://www.hitachienergy.com/news-and-events/features/2023/03/hitachi-energy-to-supply-main-electrical-system-for-finland-s-first-industrial-scale-green-hydrogen-production-plant

        Another option that might be worthy of consideration is to relocate the Healy Clean Coal Plant to MacKenzie Port Industrial Facility, where coal from Usibelli Coal Mine could still be utilized as a fuel source.

        “How will we pay for it?” … Bond measure, long-term financing, or direct utilization of Permanent Fund dollars. ***Q: What is the cost of doing nothing???

  3. They were saying the same about conversion to LED lighting and battery cars less than 10 years ago. Technology advances exponentially.

    • Actually, the initial attempt was a ban on incandescent bulbs and replace them with compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs. The CFs were quickly rejected by the general public who ignored all the EPA hazmat disposal requirements. Nothing like forcibly introducing mercury powder into hundreds of millions of buildings without public support to improve the environment.

      In case you haven’t noticed, the same thing is happening to EVs which are being rejected by the general public on multiple grounds.

      Agree that tech is advancing exponentially. Problem is that it almost always advances in ways that governments don’t anticipate, which is why you need to allow the marketplace to operate and get as far away from top-down cramdowns as humanly possible, something this regime and its cheerleaders seem incapable of doing. Cheers –

  4. We’re talking about powering an entire state, a state in which many months are dark and very cold. As for electric cars they still have their growing pains and the ecological damage of Lithium mining is devastating. Not just to the earth and ecosystems, but the slave labor used to produce it.

    • The world’s largest lithium caldera is on the Nevada-Oregon border. Nary a slave in sight. A few Indians that would like to have their personal interests recognized but other than that… just regular joes involved in the project.

  5. While I’m not personally against nuclear, there are parts of the state where it’s a risky proposition. We do sit on the ring of fire.

    But for the more geologically stable parts it makes sense. Assuming it can be done affordably and to scale.

  6. What made America great was cheap, plentiful energy.
    Neo-Malthusian philosophy is the philosophical underpinning of the Climatev Alarmist movement – is really about a post-industrial, de-populated movement.
    Global warming IS their religion.
    The answer?
    Drill, Baby, Drill!!!

  8. So, this guy comes out once a month or every other month and keeps pushing the same things. I am for not having the globalists try to shut us down. I get the impression that Mr. Seitz is trying to normalize the globalist verbiage. Write about the free energy that used to be and why we are not using that. This free energy did not cost anyone anything. Write about that instead of trying to come up with a bazillion different ways that we can quit using gas and oil. Rick Whitbeck makes more sense.

    • If you have read many of my commentaries you will note that I have pushed for an Oil and gas economy, more Cook Inlet gas so Alaska can have an economy. I do support the use of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources where they are practical and can provide affordable power. I have been very consistent on opposing the mandated addition of wind and solar to the Railbelt utility. I have been promoting cheap energy resources for the Railbelt which is generally coal or gas. If someone can provide cheap energy to the Railbelt then I applaud their efforts. There are parts of the Railbelt which probably will need renewable resources for microgrids that would function for locations between the major power plants to provide resilience to those who live way out of town, but along the Parks hiway. For those who think to many electrical engineers are getting involved, be thankful as we are the ones who actually understand the magic of electricity. I also believe we are fully supportive of Rick Whitbeck as well.

  10. Quit pushing the green agenda. You keep at it every month or every other month pushing this topic. Push FREE energy instead.
    ‘https://x.com/deepwebslinger/status/1820252929057820929

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