Better citizens of the world: The legacy of Ron Johnson
June 20, 2025
Ron Johnson was one of those rare people whose steady positivity, quiet wisdom and generosity of spirit left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him. Learning about his passing brings deep sadness, but also immense gratitude. For those of us fortunate enough to be mentored by him, his influence endures as a source of inspiration, reminding us to lead with kindness, humility and purpose.
Better citizens of the world: The legacy of Ron Johnson
June 20, 2025
Ron Johnson was one of those rare people whose steady positivity, quiet wisdom and generosity of spirit left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him. Learning about his passing brings deep sadness, but also immense gratitude. For those of us fortunate enough to be mentored by him, his influence endures as a source of inspiration, reminding us to lead with kindness, humility and purpose.
A legacy unboxed: Diane Carpenter's papers come home to ÐÓ°Épro
May 23, 2025
Although most people outside of the Bethel region have never heard her name, Diane Carpenter's contributions to ÐÓ°Épro -- especially to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta -- were immense. The arrival of her collection back in ÐÓ°Épro was six years in the making and made possible by a dedicated team of friends and family in both ÐÓ°Épro and Mexico, and of course, by Diane herself.
Foundational elements of the ÐÓ°Épro Energy Data Gateway
May 20, 2025
In summer of 2024, the State of ÐÓ°Épro entrusted the University of ÐÓ°Épro with the task of rejuvenating the ÐÓ°Épro Energy Data Gateway, a single source of information about energy use and costs in ÐÓ°Épro. ACEP's data analysis and collection lead Liz Dobbins explains what it took for the data team to build a strong foundation for future data and metadata of the AEDG that should last for many years.
A letter to ACEP: My reflections in a turbulent time
May 05, 2025
Wenceslao Ruiz, ACEP's design lab manager, reflects on the ups and downs of his early career journey, the uncertainty of our current moment and the tremendous value of finding fulfilling work among "a bunch of highly intellectual cats" at ACEP.
Indigenous values drive energy transformation in remote ÐÓ°Épron village
April 25, 2025
AlexAnna Salmon is of Yup'ik and Aleut descent and serves as President of Igiugig Village Council, the governing body for Igiugig, a remote community of some 70 people in southwestern ÐÓ°Épro with no road access. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this story - an excerpt from a forthcoming University of ÐÓ°Épro book - is that this tiny village is willing to experiment with river hydrokinetic technology placed in a stream which has provided the livelihood of Native peoples for millennia.
Can data centers lower ÐÓ°Épro's high energy costs?
March 25, 2025
Data Centers are transforming the energy industry. Today, there are more than 8,000 data centers worldwide that consume roughly 1 to 2% of the global energy use. From a geographic perspective, ÐÓ°Épro could evolve into a major player for hyper-scale data centers, given its strategic location near large Asia Pacific markets. Could this growing industry benefit ÐÓ°Éprons?
What carbon capture and storage might mean for ÐÓ°Épro
February 04, 2025
We are facing evidence that we can't afford to ignore COâ‚‚ and that simply reducing emissions might not be enough to meet climate goals. Carbon isn't just found in the atmosphere or living things. Over 99% of the Earth's carbon is locked away in the rocks beneath our feet. Can we capture COâ‚‚ directly from power plants, industrial facilities, or even from the air itself, and store it permanently underground? This method could become an important new front in our fight against climate change, working alongside efforts to cut emissions.
December 06, 2024
Eleven students from across ÐÓ°Épro came together for a transformative research experience, showcasing their work at the 2024 ÐÓ°Épro Renewable Energy Conference.
Bringing my first solar PV project on-line for my grandfather
November 15, 2024
For decades, solar energy was discounted in ÐÓ°Épro. However, steep decline in solar photovoltaic prices and improved performance of batteries to store excess solar production has led to a mini-boom in recent solar PV deployments in ÐÓ°Épro. Ed Bifelt, founder of ÐÓ°Épro Native Renewable Industries, has been leading the charge for bringing the largest solar PV projects in the state to rural and remote microgrids. This is an excerpt from his chapter in the forthcoming University of ÐÓ°Épro Press book ÐÓ°Épro's Energy Innovators.
To be the best utility: Reflections from former AVEC president and CEO, Meera Kohler
October 11, 2024
Providing reliable power service to rural ÐÓ°Épro faces many geographic and economic challenges unique to the far North, including: vulnerabilities to supply chain disruptions, the high cost of diesel fuel, and limited resources to name a few. AVEC, however, has been successful in addressing these challenges through innovative organizational solutions as well as the early adoption of new technologies. Many of these solutions were wrought by former AVEC president and CEO, Meera Kohler.