What can some of the most remote communities in the world teach us about the future of energy? In Alaska, high diesel costs, challenging geography, and unreliable fuel supply have driven remarkable innovation in renewable energy. Peter Asmus returns to the show to share what he discovered while documenting these stories, exploring how communities are using microgrids, wind, solar, hydro, and battery storage to build more resilient and cost-effective energy systems.
Listen in as Peter discusses standout projects in Kodiak and Cordova, including a microgrid generating more than 99% of its energy from renewables and an innovative data center powered by excess hydroelectricity. You’ll learn why remote communities are often leading the way in energy innovation, how businesses are beginning to put a value on resilience, and what Alaska needs to move beyond grant-funded projects and toward greater private investment. Peter also explores the opportunities for distributed data centers, energy storage, dynamic pricing, and stronger energy policy, with lessons that extend well beyond Alaska.
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What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:
- How Alaska’s remote communities are leading renewable energy innovation.
- Why high diesel costs have driven the adoption of renewable microgrids.
- How Kodiak Island built a microgrid powered by more than 99% renewable energy.
- How batteries, flywheels, and hydro work together to manage changing energy demands.
- How Cordova is using excess hydroelectricity to power a small data center.
- Why commercial and industrial businesses are increasingly investing in energy resilience.
- What Alaska’s Railbelt grid needs to accelerate its energy transition.
- Why renewable energy projects need to move beyond grant funding.
- How private capital and fleets of microgrids could support future energy development.
Resources In Today’s Episode:
- Peter Asmus: Website | LinkedIn
- Introduction to Energy in California by Peter Asmus
- Reaping the Wind by Peter Asmus
- Reinventing Electric Utilities by Peter Asmus
- Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
- Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
- VECKTA: News
