New book preserves Alaska microgrid pioneers' stories as many retire

Peter Asmus, editor of "Alaska's Microgrid Innovators," said Wednesday that the book, released this month by University of Alaska Press, is "essentially a lot of oral histories because a lot of the folks profiled are now retiring, moving on." He spoke during a Renewable Energy Alaska Project webinar. The book ties rural renewable energy projects to economic necessity rather than regulation.

Asmus noted that REAP founder Chris Rose now lives in Portugal and that Clay Koplin, whom UAF inducted into its Innovators Hall of Fame for his Cordova microgrid work, has moved on from his job there.

Asmus said the project began when Gwen Holdmann, founder of the Alaska Center for Energy and Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, told him his global database of microgrids was short on Alaska. Microgrids are small power grids; most in Alaska are not connected to a larger grid. Asmus said they found Alaska had more microgrids than any other state.

Holdmann described Diane Carpenter, an initial board member of the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative who died in March 2025. Holdmann said UAF hired Carpenter at 91 to organize and digitize her rural electrification papers. That history is "in some danger of being lost because a lot of our innovators are retiring and leaving and, you know, sadly passing away," Holdmann said.

The book profiles microgrids in Kotzebue, Kodiak, Igiugig and Cordova. Asmus said Kodiak runs on 99% renewable energy, drawing on hydropower, lithium-ion batteries and a flywheel.

Holdmann will speak at a free book launch at UAF on Monday, Oct. 26, from 5:30 to 7 pm.