Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference
Hosted by the State of Alaska, the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference convenes world-renowned speakers and industry experts for a week of networking opportunities, presentations, breakout tracks, and inspiring panel discussions focused on the future of energy in Alaska.
2024 Climate Innovation Showcase
Join Launch Alaska and friends to celebrate the people and projects accelerating Alaska’s energy transition. Meet Launch Alaska Portfolio companies 60Hertz, Ageto Energy, Biomass Controls, Blue Planet Energy, Cache Energy, Carter Wind, EcoSnap, Greensparc, GreenFire Energy, Kartorium, Montis Corporation, and VECKTA. Enjoy refreshments, win prizes, and plug into game-changing climate technologies + plenty of networking opportunities. The second annual Climate Innovation Showcase happens Monday, May 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Williwaw Social (609 F St., Anchorage). Free and open to the public.
RSVP
Webinar: How to Find Climate Tech Projects in Alaska
Is your climate tech company looking for demonstration projects or early customers? Discover how Launch Alaska's Tech Deployment Track can accelerate the process and help make your project happen — don't miss this upcoming virtual informational session with Tech Deployment Track Manager Suzanna Caldwell. Free via Zoom.
Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference Virtual Workshop #2: Transmission and Distribution
Sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, this virtual workshop offers two days of free programming in advance of the 2024 Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, hosted by the Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP: Transmission and distribution systems are critical aspects of energy infrastructure and are essential for driving sustainable change in Alaska’s energy future. This workshop will explore innovative strategies and technologies that are shaping the future of clean energy. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the importance of optimizing grid systems, enhancing efficiencies, and overcoming barriers to renewable energy integrations as we navigate the complexities of energy transitions and be a driving force for a cleaner, brighter future.
Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium
Join the Alaska Municipal League, the Governor’s Office of Infrastructure, and the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) at the 4th annual Infrastructure Development Symposium, featuring updates from state and federal agencies, implementation strategies from state officials, and a review of Alaska opportunities.
ACEP: Railbelt Decarbonization Study Update
Join the Alaska Center for Energy and Power for a presentation about the result of Phase 1 of the Railbelt Decarbonization study, focused on pathways to reduce Railbelt electric grid carbon emissions while maintaining reliable and affordable electricity and promoting clean energy development.
Participate online via Zoom, or in person at the Learning Commons at Z.J. Loussac Library, 3600 Denali St., Anchorage, AK. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m.
2023 Clean Transportation Leadership Roundtable
Hosted by Launch Alaska and the Center for Transportation and the Environment, the 2023 Clean Transportation Leadership Roundtable was made possible with support from the Department of Energy Office of Technology Transitions. This free event focused on catalyzing zero-emissions transportation solutions in Alaska, with a special emphasis on the possibilities for hydrogen production and adoption.
Participants connected with fleet managers, government agencies, utilities, climate tech companies, and academia to identify barriers and opportunities related to low- and zero-emissions transportation development. Topics ranged from battery electric vehicle technologies to hydrogen supply and demand.
Meet our speakers:
Bart Sowa, GTI Energy | Dan Raudebaugh, CTE | Omri Tayyara, Jule | Seamus Murphy, WETA | Josi Hartley, AEA | Kelly Scott, TOTE Maritime | Ken Kelly, NREL | Laura Quinlan, HTEC | Mark Henspeter, Chugach Electric Association | Morgan Cox, CTE | PJ Callahan, CTE | Rich Ross, Capital Transit | Stephen Clermont, CTE | Stephanie Bushone, Ketchikan Gateway Borough | Tim Leach, Launch Alaska
Presentations
Technology and Market Trends for Battery Electric - Center for Transportation and the Environment
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Overview
Alaska's Electric Vehicles Program - Alaska Energy Authority
Cold Weather Impacts on Battery Electric Vehicles - Alaska Center for Energy and Power
Electric Vehicles and Utility Preparedness in Alaska - Chugach Electric Association
Ketchikan Gateway Borough Transit Overview - Ketchikan Gateway Borough Transit
Introduction to FCEV Technology - Center for Transportation and the Environment
Launch of the Sea Change: Introducing the First H2 Ferry in SF Bay - WETA
Creating Hydrogen Demand at Ports and Terminals - Hyster-Yale
CTE Update on DOE H2 Hub Initiative - Center for Transportation and the Environment
GTI Energy Hydrogen Fuel Cell Yard Truck Demonstration - GTI Energy
HTEC BCH2 Project: Hydrogen to Decarbonize Port Operations - HTEC
Zero-Emission Transportation Funding Opportunities - Center for Transportation and the Environment
2022 Arctic Road Rally
About the Arctic Road Rally
The Arctic Road Rally was an electric vehicle technology demonstration designed to help drive increased EV awareness, inspire adoption, and inform infrastructure development in Alaska. With 10 electric vehicles successfully completing the 1,096-mile drive from Fairbanks to Oliktok Point, the event illustrated the performance capabilities of electric vehicle technology in Alaska. The 2022 Arctic Road Rally was made possible with funding from the Department of Energy Office of Technology Transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Arctic Road Rally is an electric vehicle technology demonstration to help drive increased EV awareness, inspire adoption, and inform infrastructure development in Alaska.
The event is all about putting EV tech through its paces – demonstrating what it can do and also identifying any areas for improvement. We believe everyone should be able to access the long-term cost savings and other benefits provided by electric vehicles, so we need these cars and trucks to be able to handle anything. Technology demonstrations like this play an important role in getting to that point.
The 2022 event took place along a 1,096-mile roundtrip route on the Dalton Highway between Fairbanks and Oliktok Point, Alaska, the northernmost drivable point in the U.S. More information about the 2023 Arctic Road Rally is coming soon.
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The event is organized by Launch Alaska, funded by the Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions. Generous sponsorships from more than a dozen Alaska companies supported the inaugural rally in 2022. Sponsors include Alaska Energy Authority, Alyeska Tire, Golden Valley Electric Association, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, CIRI, Chugach Electric Association, Sandia National Laboratories, Seekins Ford-Lincoln, Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust, Alaska Center for Energy and Power, Grizzl-E, Matanuska Electric Association, North Iron Engineering, and Elevated Oats.
Arctic Road Rally participants come from across Alaska and beyond, all drawn by the opportunity to drive an electric vehicle to the northernmost point in the country.
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Arctic Road Rally drivers charged their vehicles at temporary charging stations placed at multiple locations along the Dalton Highway, powered by locally-available power sources and installed with the support of both public and private partners.
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Even when the electricity is generated by fossil fuels, electric vehicles produce significantly fewer emissions than traditional ICE vehicles in almost all situations — it’s also cheaper at the “pump.” And even when their electricity is generated by fossil fuels, EVs are poised to be powered by renewable sources as soon as those sources are ready (like they currently are in a growing number of cities around the country).
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Yes! Eventually. It’s important to develop the technology to the point where even the most challenging drives can be done safely and reliably – which is why we did the 2022 Arctic Road Rally along the Dalton Highway in August. It’s a chance to demonstrate the electric vehicles’ strengths and identify any areas in need of improvement, setting the stage for tech innovation and future demonstrations and daily use in even the most difficult conditions (think -60° Fahrenheit and blowing snow). For many Alaska EV owners, the decreased battery capacity and range of their EVs in cold weather is already more than adequate for daily driving requirements, and many report better operation and comfort than traditional vehicles.
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It’s all about preparing for the future and caring for our communities. Electric vehicles decrease emissions and increase driver savings: They’re cheaper to power and maintain than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, and even when their electricity is generated by fossil fuels, they typically produce far fewer emissions than ICE cars and trucks.
Plus, technological innovation means it will soon cost less to buy an electric vehicle than an ICE car or truck, and it’s important to build the charging station infrastructure we need to make those cost savings available to everyone who wants them.
At the same time, we need to make the shift to renewable energy sources – sources that can provide the independence and climate sustainability necessary for our communities to truly thrive. Electric vehicle infrastructure can easily make the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Gas stations can’t.
Press
Media coverage from the 2022 Arctic Road Rally.
Fairbanks Daily News Miner - Electric vehicle rally hits the Dalton Highway
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International - EVs take on 1,000-mile Arctic Road Rally challenge across Alaska to highlight charging infrastructure potential
KUAC / Alaska Public Media - Arctic Road Rally aims to show electric vehicles’ potential in Alaska