About the Alaska Rural Energy Conference
Powering Alaska’s Energy Future—Together
The Alaska Rural Energy Conference is Alaska’s premier gathering dedicated to the unique energy challenges and opportunities facing rural communities. Held October 27–29, 2026, in Fairbanks, the conference brings together utility operators, community leaders, engineers, policymakers, regulators, tribal organizations, industry partners, researchers, and funding organizations to share practical knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and advance reliable, affordable energy solutions across the state.
Rural Alaska is home to some of the world’s most complex and innovative standalone energy systems. From isolated microgrids and diesel powerhouses to renewable energy integration and emerging technologies, communities continue to develop solutions that improve reliability, reduce costs, and strengthen local resilience. The Alaska Rural Energy Conference provides a forum for the people doing this work every day to learn from one another and collaborate on the next generation of energy solutions.
Why Attend?
The conference is designed for those who plan, operate, maintain, finance, regulate, and support rural energy systems. Whether you manage a utility, serve your community, develop energy projects, provide technical assistance, or work in policy or research, you’ll find practical information you can take home and apply.
Attendees will have opportunities to:
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Learn from real-world case studies and successful projects from across Alaska
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Explore strategies to improve utility operations, system reliability, and resilience
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Discover emerging technologies and innovative approaches that work in remote communities
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Understand funding opportunities, financing strategies, and utility financial management
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Connect with colleagues, technical experts, state and federal agencies, and industry partners
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Share experiences, challenges, and lessons learned with peers from across the state
Conference Topics
Sessions focus on practical, solution-oriented discussions that help rural utilities and communities operate smarter, plan more effectively, and prepare for the future. Topics include:
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Rural energy system reliability and resilience
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Renewable energy integration and energy storage
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Diesel powerhouse operations and maintenance
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Bulk fuel systems and heat recovery
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Power distribution and asset management
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Utility finance, rates, and long-term sustainability
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Data, monitoring, and decision-support tools
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Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection
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Workforce development and operator training
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Energy planning, project development, and community partnerships
The agenda combines technical presentations, panel discussions, and peer-to-peer learning, with opportunities to hear directly from communities implementing innovative energy solutions throughout Alaska.
Conference Tracks
Programming is organized around three primary themes:
- Durable Energy Systems: Building and maintaining reliable energy infrastructure that serves communities for decades to come.
- Financial Sustainability: Exploring funding opportunities, utility finance, and strategies that strengthen long-term operations.
- Smarter Systems & Innovation: Leveraging technology, data, planning, and emerging tools to improve performance and support informed decision-making.
Workshops & Networking
In addition to the main conference, attendees can participate in specialized pre- and post-conference workshops offering deeper technical training and hands-on learning. Workshop topics include energy project development, utility cybersecurity, planning tools, and other practical subjects relevant to rural utilities and communities.
Throughout the conference, participants will have numerous opportunities to connect with peers, exhibitors, sponsors, and experts from across Alaska and beyond.
Join Us in Fairbanks
Whether you’re looking for practical operational solutions, new partnerships, funding opportunities, or the latest innovations in rural energy, the Alaska Rural Energy Conference is the place to connect with Alaska’s energy community.
We look forward to welcoming you to Fairbanks this October.