The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is very early in the six-year licensing process for Susitna-Watana Hydro. Most of 2012 has been spent developing a Proposed Study Plan to thoroughly understand the potential project impacts on water resources like water quality.

Studies from the 1980s have provided a wealth of information about the aquatic characteristics of the Susitna River system. As part of the Proposed Study Plan, the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) aims to conduct a number of additional studies in order to determine how the Susitna-Watana Hydro Project will impact all 184 River Miles downstream of the project.

The AEA environmental team is undertaking extensive water quality studies and modeling. Additional work includes determining how the project will potentially impact groundwater, ice » Continue Reading.

The health of the Susitna River system is important. The Susitna River system is comprised of dozens of tributaries and streams that serve as spawning habitat for a variety of fish species. The Susitna-Watana Hydro team is building on extensive studies from the 1980s and undertaking an unparalleled fisheries study program in order to thoroughly understand potential project impacts on fish and salmon.

The project is located 184 miles upriver from Cook Inlet and 22 to 32 miles upstream from Devils Canyon, a narrow, highly-turbulent section of river that serves as a natural impediment to migrating salmon.

Fish studies are underway throughout the Susitna River–from the upper river, downstream to the mouth at Cook Inlet. The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) environmental team » Continue Reading.

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is very early in the six-year licensing process for Susitna-Watana Hydro. Most of 2012 has been spent developing a Proposed Study Plan to thoroughly understand the potential project impacts on wildlife resources. The Susitna-Watana Hydro Proposed Study Plan encompasses 186,000 acres. This region is habitat to a wide array of wildlife, including large game species like moose and caribou, Dall’s sheep, eagles and raptors and a variety of other species.

This summer AEA began a multi-year collaboration with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to begin radio collaring caribou, as part of the Nelchina herd. Studies are also underway or planned to understand the distribution and abundance of a variety of species that include moose, » Continue Reading.

Nearly 20 studies were conducted in 2012. The Susitna-Watana Hydro team also submitted its official Proposed Study Plan to the Federal Energy & Regulatory Commission (FERC) in July, 2012. The study plan proposes an additional 58 studies addressing everything from fish, wildlife, aquatics and geology to economic, cultural, aesthetic and recreational disciplines.

The public, governmental agencies and private entities were given an opportunity to submit study requests to FERC. Of the 59 study requests submitted by these various individuals and organizations, the Alaska Energy Authority has adopted 58 in its Proposed Study Plan document.  A Revised Study Plan will be filed this fall with FERC’s final determination anticipated at the beginning of 2013.

Susitna-Watana Hydro is part of a diverse energy future. The state’s energy infrastructure is ageing and existing gas-fired generation units will be retired in the coming years.  Once online, Susitna-Watana Hydro will deliver about 50 percent of the Alaska Railbelt’s electricity. Residents and businesses will be able to count on clean, reliable and stable-priced energy for 100+ years.

Alaska ranks fifth highest in U.S. energy costs and remains dependent on volatile-priced fossil fuels. Without a large renewable energy project like Susitna-Watana Hydro, replacement fossil fuels- likely from new oil and gas production- will be necessary to meet Railbelt energy demand.

Alaska is leading the nation in its commitment to renewable energy. As part of the 2010 energy policy, the Alaska Legislature set » Continue Reading.

The impacts of Susitna River silt have been studied since the 1980s by several different engineering consultants.  The short answer is not for many centuries. The amount of unconsolidated sediment that is estimated to be deposited in the reservoir over 50 years is about 104,000 acre-feet. The gross reservoir volume is about 5.2 million acre-feet.  Based on the engineering studies, it would take more than 2,500-3,200 years to fill the reservoir with silt.

Susitna-Watana Hydro will deliver 50 percent of the Alaska Railbelt’s electricity. Residents and businesses will be able to count on clean, reliable and stable-priced energy for 100+ years while the state is moved toward its 50 percent renewable electrical energy by 2025 goal.

There are approximately 80,000 dams in the United States, most continuing to serve useful functions. Many small dams were privately built more than a century ago and were designed to serve as a power source for mills, factories or other industry, and have since been removed. These structures were built without the stringent regulatory and environmental review found today.

Recent headlines have focused on the removal (or consideration of removal) of a handful of smaller hydropower dams for environmental » Continue Reading.

Yes, the proposed size of the Susitna-Watana Hydro Project is ideal for Alaska’s energy needs. The 705-foot dam will provide 2,800,000-megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity annually, roughly 50 percent of the electricity currently used by the Railbelt’s households and businesses. The Railbelt makes up 75 percent of the state’s overall population.

Together with smaller hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal and other renewable energy sources, Susitna-Watana Hydro will enable Alaska to achieve its 50 percent renewable electrical energy goal.

The hydropower potential of the Susitna River has been studied since the early 1950s. In 1980 the Alaska Power Authority (now Alaska Energy Authority) began comprehensive study of the feasibility of a Susitna River hydropower project.  In 1983 the Alaska Power Authority filed for a license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and amended the application in 1985 for a two-dam project. Three-phases of construction would have stretched over 20 years.  Because of the size, the 1980s project would have produced much more power than needed. The state eventually decided to pull its license application, primarily because of the low cost and ample supply of oil and gas.

The energy picture has changed dramatically from the 1980s. Alaska’s energy infrastructure » Continue Reading.

The current cost estimate for building Susitna-Watana Hydro is $5.66 billion. The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is taking extraordinary steps to develop the most reliable budget possible and to validate cost assumptions. First, MWH Global – the world’s largest hydropower engineering firm in the world, has been hired to analyze the project and estimate its overall cost. Second, AEA is in the process of hiring another independent, experienced firm to validate this work. Third, AEA is organizing a board of consultants to ensure the project is designed and built responsibly and on budget.

AEA does not expect the State of Alaska to directly pay the estimated $5.66 billion needed to build the project. Instead, AEA expects the project will be publically financed using a combination of bonds, loans, state investments, and other financing solutions. Repayment of project debt and return on the State’s investment will come from the sale of electricity, primarily to Railbelt utilities.

Alaskans may be familiar with the AEA-owned Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project, just east of Homer.  In the successful financing model, Bradley Lake project construction was funded by a combination of bonds and state investment through appropriations.  Railbelt utilities purchase the power generated by the project through a Power Sales Agreement. Under that Agreement, the Railbelt utilities continue to make » Continue Reading.

The Alaska Energy Authority anticipates most power generated by Susitna-Watana Hydro will be sold to Railbelt utilities.

Current projections indicate Susitna-Watana power will be competitive with other energy sources at startup.  Significant value and benefits will arise because the long-term cost of power remains relatively stable for 100 years.  The rate you pay at your home or business varies by each Railbelt utility. Retail rates are unique and based on factors that include the power generation mix and cost of power from these energy sources, and the utility’s distribution costs.

The current project model would create a reservoir that is about 42-miles long and an average width of 1 mile. This reservoir will provide the water storage necessary to generate the electrical capacity needed to meet 50 percent Railbelt electrical demand, especially during critical winter months.

Yes, independent of Susitna-Watana Hydro. Alaska’s Railbelt electrical grid serves 75 percent of Alaska’s population and accounts for more than 85 percent of the state’s electricity. The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) owns the 170-mile Willow to Healy portion of the transmission line.

Alaska’s energy infrastructure is limited and aging. AEA is working with the Railbelt utilities to identify projects that will strengthen the backbone of the state’s energy distribution system and examine how electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed to meet the Railbelt’s needs in a safe and efficient manner.

The $5.66 billion estimated cost of Susitna-Watana Hydro includes transmission facilities which will connect the project to the Railbelt transmission system.

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is in the preliminary stages of a multi-year licensing process. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the lead federal agency for licensing of Susitna-Watana Hydro. AEA will also seek a Clean Water Act permit from the U.S. Corps of Engineers for project construction.

Beginning in 2013 more than 58 individual environmental studies will be conducted, in addition to nearly twenty studies in 2012. The goal is to obtain a FERC license and Corps permit, at which time construction could begin. Under this schedule, Susitna-Watana Hydro is expected to begin full energy production in 2028.

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is seeking a license to build Susitna-Watana Hydro under the Federal Regulatory Agency Commission’s (FERC) Integrated Licensing Process (ILP). It will take approximately six years to complete the pre-licensing applications, studies, environmental impact statement and application processes before a license can be issued.

Throughout the ILP, other federal, state and local agencies, as well as other interested stakeholders and the public at large have the opportunity to weigh in on the proposed project.

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is in the preliminary stages of a multi-year licensing process. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the lead federal agency for licensing of Susitna-Watana Hydro. AEA will also seek a Clean Water Act permit from the U.S. Corps of Engineers for project construction.

Beginning in 2013 more than 58 individual environmental studies will be conducted, in addition to nearly twenty studies in 2012. The goal is to obtain a FERC license and Corps permit, at which time construction could begin. Under this schedule, Susitna-Watana Hydro is expected to begin full energy production in 2028.

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is seeking a license to build Susitna-Watana Hydro under the Federal Regulatory Agency Commission’s (FERC) Integrated Licensing Process (ILP). It will take approximately six years to complete the pre-licensing applications, studies, environmental impact statement and application processes before a license can be issued.

Throughout the ILP, other federal, state and local agencies, as well as other interested stakeholders and the public at large have the opportunity to weigh in on the proposed project.

No. Although Susitna-Watana Hydro is essential to achieving Alaska’s 50 percent renewable electrical energy goal by 2025, the state needs to pursue all renewable energy sources. Each type of energy source brings different benefits that will help Alaska diversify its overall energy portfolio.

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) administers the Renewable Energy Fund, legislation that placed Alaska at the forefront of funding for renewable energy in the United States.  To date, more than $234.7 million for 277 renewable energy projects has been approved. In 2013, 13 million gallons of diesel and natural gas equivalent were displaced.

In 2012, the Alaska Legislature reauthorized the Renewable Energy Fund for another 10 years, providing additional funding for renewable energy projects statewide.

AEA is working to maximize the » Continue Reading.

No, for a variety of reasons. The choice is not between hydropower and wind or solar-all renewable energy sources will play a valuable role in diversifying Alaska’s energy portfolio.

Hydropower provides a stable energy source and power.  Other renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, have no ability to store generated power and must be backed up with other power sources. In addition, they are unreliable sources of power, i.e. the sun isn’t always shining nor is the wind always blowing. As a result these energy sources are challenging to integrate into any power system. Hydropower provides the perfect complement to variable energy sources, increases their generation and helps integrated them into the existing power grid.

Today, hydropower generates 99.7 percent of » Continue Reading.

Major infrastructure projects are designed to withstand seismic events. The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is designing the Susitna-Watana dam to withstand the maximum credible earthquake at the proposed project site. (The maximum credible earthquake is defined as the largest earthquake that appears capable of occurring at a specific location.)

Defining the maximum credible earthquake requires an understanding of potential seismic sources in the region and the potential effects of an earthquake on the proposed dam.  Potential seismic sources are characterized by defining locations, frequency and magnitudes of future earthquakes likely to affect the project. Additionally, ground motion analyses will help define the strength and duration of shaking likely to be imposed on the dam. Seismic design analyses are performed to evaluate » Continue Reading.