Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project

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The Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) is a project under the United States Department of Energy to provide federal aid to remote communities in the United States for improving their electric infrastructure, energy costs, and resiliency during natural disasters and outages.[1]

The project announced the first 11 participating communities in April 2021, with a new round of applications planned for the fall of 2021. The communities partner with regional agencies, which help them identify needs and connect them to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. These laboratories will assist the communities for 12–18 months.[2] The regional agencies share local needs to the national partners and ensure that the communities lead the decisions.[3]

Previous Department of Energy projects funded microgrids (decentralized energy networks) in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans and trained Hawaii utilities officials on how to increase renewable energy capacity.[1]

Selected communities and potential plans include:[1]

  • Sitka, Alaska – to develop a hybrid fuel for or electrifying the fishing fleet of the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association to move away from diesel fuel imports, which cost most of the fishers’ income to buy; to modernize their electric grid control system and increase renewable energy generation by analyzing available nearby resources
  • Dillingham, Alaska – to investigate hydroelectric power through the Nuyakuk River Hydroelectric Project as a cheaper alternative to fossil fuels shipped via barges
  • Ouzinkie, Alaska – to improve on the current use of diesel generators and an aged hydroelectric power source; to improve energy storage and renewable sourcing
  • Wainwright, Alaska – to decrease the community's 100% reliance on diesel, increase energy efficiency and renewable power, and increase resiolience
  • Eastport, Maine – to investigate potential tidal power and microgrid potential
  • Islesboro, Maine – to increase the community's energy efficiency, renewable energy potential, and energy storage, and to improve self-sufficiency in municipal and residential structures instead of depending on the mainland for resources
  • Honolulu, Hawaii – to develop a microgrid map to increase resilience to extreme weather
  • Kauai, Hawaii – to "explore alternative and autonomous mobility options for its residents and tourists to move away from fossil-fuel powered single occupancy vehicles and toward a modern, clean transportation system"[1]
  • Nags Head, North Carolina – to secure 48–72 hours of backup energy for emergency services due to the community's vulnerability to severe weather and rising sea levels; to investigate renewable and energy efficiency options
  • Ocracoke Island, North Carolina – to "analyze the additional grid infrastructure needs" to allow the community to electrify its ferry fleet, which residents require for transport to the mainland

Senators Susan Collins (Maine), Angus King (Maine), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) praised the project.[1]

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "DOE to Support 11 Remote and Island Communities Transitioning to Resilient Clean Energy Solutions". Energy.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  2. ^ "Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project Community Technical Assistance". NREL. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  3. ^ McKinstry, Erin; Apr 26, KCAW |; 2021 (2021-04-26). "New federal program to help remote Alaska communities with renewable energy infrastructure". KCAW. Retrieved 2021-05-06.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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