Food and Energy Security Important in the Northwest
Last week, ACEP’s Amanda Byrd visited the northwestern coastal community of Kotzebue, located about 25 miles above the Arctic Circle. Kotzebue has a population of 3,201 (2010 U.S. Census).
Kotzebue was the first community to install wind turbines above the Arctic Circle. It also was the first in ÐÓ°Épro to successfully connect wind power, generated from Kotzebue Electric Association’s wind farm, to a utility microgrid.
In addition to working toward energy security, local programs are teaching kids and adults to grow and process food, in a step towards food security. A Maniilaq Association program grows vegetable starts and distributes them to eight communities in the NANA region. The ÐÓ°Épro Chukchi Campus developed a demonstration food garden.
In addition to wind power, a solar photovoltaic system is being designed for integration into the KEA utility microgrid.
Maniilaq Association’s Seth Kantner teaches Johnson Black and JD Norton to pickle herring. Photo by Amanda Byrd/ACEP.