Zurich, Switzerland, March 7, 2018 – Innovative solution to help “Last Frontier” towns to lower costs and optimize the use of renewables for a sustainable future
Deering and Buckland are two small villages in northwestern Alaska, with populations of 200 and 400 mostly indigenous Inupiaq people. For these residents, who rely heavily on fishing and hunting for their subsistence, life above the Arctic Circle is tough. Winter lasts for nine months with temperatures dipping to minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
The challenge of providing stable, reliable and affordable power has motivated many rural Arctic communities to incorporate increasing amounts of renewable resources to offset the high cost and environmental impact of diesel fuel. But while the flat coastal terrain is well-suited for wind generation, the wind turbines installed there, have been underutilized due to the intermittent and unstable nature of wind power.
ABB will partner with the communities of Deering and Buckland to install advanced modular “plug-and-play” microgrids that will leverage proven ABB Ability™ Microgrid Plus automation system and PowerStore™ storage technology, to maximize the adoption of wind power. Incorporating more renewables will also help the communities to lower costs and support the objectives set out by NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (NANA), the local utility to reduce reliance on imported diesel by up to 75 percent, by 2030.
“The deployment of these innovative microgrid solutions will enhance the integration of renewable energy and enable a stronger, smarter and greener grid in these remote parts of Alaska,” said Massimo Danieli, Head of ABB’s Grid Automation business, a part of the company’s Power Grids division.
