More than Remediation: Olga Stewart on How Geosyntec is Supporting Alaska’s Energy Transition
Alaska is accelerating its transition to renewable energy. In this discussion, Anchorage-based Principal Environmental Engineer Olga Stewart discusses the state’s desire for higher energy security and how Geosyntec is helping utilities in the Last Frontier realize their options.
Q&A
Why is energy transition a priority in Alaska?
Alaska’s energy future is unique, in a way you can better understand if you’re here. We’re dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and clearly see climate change. But there are parts of the state that still burn coal or still burn wood primarily, even in the face of climate change, because, logistically, those fuels are still the most accessible options.
The focus on energy transition in Alaska is about securing a more well-rounded energy portfolio and a stable base energy load.
We have hydropower, but the Railbelt relies on natural gas turbines for electricity. And while there is the potential for a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope, securing local natural gas has become increasingly difficult. Utilities are looking for other options that aren’t weather-dependent. That means opportunities for carbon capture projects and geothermal energy.
How has Geosyntec’s previous work in Alaska prepared you and the staff there for work in energy transition projects?
The backbone of Geosyntec’s work in Alaska has been in contaminated site characterization. Unlike similar projects in the Lower 48, where contaminated sites are often in urban industrial areas, our contaminated sites are remote and less populated. So, our focus is less on drinking water and vapor intrusion than it is on ecological receptors such as wildlife. We characterize the risk not only to those critters but to the remote communities who rely on them for food and to the people who recreate in those areas. Often that means we’re looking at risk beyond just a single contaminated site.
What this means regarding energy transition is that we offer pretty exact experience in Alaskan regulations and landscapes: its earth, water, and soil. All this is important when we are working to understand where these projects are feasible and to garner community buy-in.
We also have an experienced local team with a strong understanding of the region and access to a robust network of knowledge beyond Alaska. So, a utility that works with us gets the best of both worlds.
What energy transition projects have you and the Anchorage office recently supported?
I was just involved in a project for the Homer Electric Association, a little south of Anchorage, but still on the main road system of Alaska and with power lines that connect most of the urban centers in the state.
Like many utilities and municipalities in the state, Homer is interested in diversifying their energy portfolio beyond natural gas. The utility gets a decent portion of their energy from hydropower, and they also recently installed a big battery bank for balancing energy, since the sun isn’t always shining and the wind isn’t always blowing. They are also exploring the possibility of using local geothermal resources to cover their base load when renewables aren’t producing.
We helped Homer investigate the feasibility of transmitting geothermal power from Augustine Island, a volcanic island just across the Cook Inlet, to a location in Anchor Point, on the Kenai Peninsula. We helped them ascertain the costs of transmitting electricity across the inlet and connecting it to Homer’s grid.
A geothermal view from Augustine Island, a volcanic island across the Cook Inlet.
Through our wider contacts throughout Geosyntec, we were able to team with two excellent partner firms, COWI North America and Qualus, that specialize in electrical engineering, specifically subsea electrical transmission, offshore power, and alternative energy sources to grids.
Together, we looked at requirements for either a new or expanded substation, the environmental review that would be required, costs for permitting and design, as well as what financing might be available, including subsidies or tax breaks if some of the power could be used to serve Tribal or rural areas.
While there’s still a long way to go to seeing a geothermal plant built on Augustine Island, it’s been a good-faith effort by all parties, and there is a lot of optimism. There is a lot of potential to access geothermal energy in Alaska so this project could be a good early step in that direction.
About the Speaker
Olga is a Principal Environmental Engineer based in Geosyntec’s Anchorage, Alaska, office. She brings 18 years of experience in conceptual site model development, feasibility studies, and environmental compliance under CERCLA, RCRA, and Alaska regulations. She excels at complex site work, forming collaborative teams with diverse skill sets to address difficult Alaskan logistics, use innovative tools, and resolve differing stakeholder opinions.
More Information
For more information about energy transition opportunities contact Olga Stewart at ostewart@geosyntec.com.
Learn more about Geosyntec and Energy Transition.
Learn more about our Anchorage office: Celebrating a Decade of Innovation and Partnership: Geosyntec Alaska Turns Ten
Learn about our risk assessment services in Alaska: Marianne Batchelder Discusses the Unique Nature of Risk Assessments in Alaska
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