Agenda  

The Alaska Rural Energy Conference is a chance for energy stakeholders to share ideas and information with the goal of promoting economic development, environmental sustainability, and energy security for Alaskans. Sessions will explore the technical and economic feasibility of existing fossil fuel and alternative options for rural Alaska, discuss new technologies, recent success stories, and identify what the state and industry can do to help rural utilities function at the highest possible level.

• Description: Designed for rural community leaders, utility staff, and others working to advance rural energy projects, this interactive pre-conference workshop—organized by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC)—will guide participants through the energy project development process. The workshop will cover energy planning and project identification, stakeholder and partner engagement, feasibility studies, funding opportunities, and grant writing, providing practical tools to help communities move promising energy ideas toward implementation
• Time: Monday, October 26, 1:00pm-5:00pm
• Registration Information: Free for conference attendees; registration required.
• Registration for this workshop is now closed. If you are still interested in attending, check for available space in-person at the start of the workshop. Admission cannot be guaranteed.

• Designed for operators of small Alaskan energy utilities and state stakeholders, this interactive Cybersecurity Workshop (facilitated by the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) covers critical cyber management and incident response tailored specifically to Alaska’s unique microgrid environments. The morning session will be hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), focusing on key cyber goals. The afternoon Small Utility Cyber Tabletop Exercise will be led by the National Lab of the Rockies (NLR).
• Time: Monday, October 26, 8:30am-4:30pm
• Free for conference attendees; registration required
• Registration for this workshop is now closed. If you are still interested in attending, check for available space in-person at the start of the workshop. Admission cannot be guaranteed

• Designed for rural electric utility staff, this post-conference workshop—organized by the Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) through its People in Power training program—will introduce practical tools and resources for rate-setting, financial sustainability, and long-term utility operations and maintenance. Participants will also take part in an interactive session focused on navigating Power Cost Equalization (PCE) reporting.
• Thursday, October 29, 1:30pm-5:00pm
• Registration for this workshop is now closed. If you are rural electric utility staff and you are interested in attending, please email Emma Marr at emarr@realaska.org.

Biomass: How to Make It Work in the North

• Organized by the Alaska Wood Energy Development Task Group (AWEDTG), this interactive workshop will guide participants through the full process of developing and sustaining a successful community biomass heating project—from prefeasibility, community support, and wood-supply planning through funding, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. Drawing on real-world projects and lessons from communities, operators, agencies, engineers, and vendors, the workshop will help participants understand where biomass works, avoid common and costly mistakes, and identify practical next steps for moving projects forward. The workshop will conclude with a project clinic where participants can discuss existing or potential projects with technical experts and partners.
• Thursday, October 29, 1:30pm–5:00pm
• Free for conference attendees; registration required and space is limited

• • Designed for participants in the National Lab of the Rockies’ Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP), this post-conference workshop will bring together community awardees and partner organizations to share program progress, discuss opportunities for collaboration, and exchange practical lessons and insights related to community microgrids.
  • Time: Thursday, October 29, 1:30pm-5:00pm and Friday, October 30, 8:00am-1:00pm
  • Invitation only for C-MAP participants and partner organizations.