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Alaska Energy Authority, Sandia sign MOU
The Alaska Energy Authority, the state entity with a mission of reducing the cost of energy in Alaska, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sandia National Laboratories for scientific cooperation.
Sandia is a U.S. government-owned facility for the development of technologies that support national security. Sandia’s mission includes the assurance of the U.S. energy infrastructure and the laboratory has been involved in Alaska’s North Slope for many years — Sandia works with government and industry entities to bring new technologies to market.
As well as cooperating on assuring the safety, security and sustainability of Alaska’s energy infrastructure, AEA and Sandia “intend to share information as appropriate on energy and related technologies including, but not limited to, wind, solar, biomass, tidal, hydropower, geothermal, energy storage, (and) oil and gas,” according to a joint release issued March 21.
Communications will be at least quarterly “The two organizations have many common interests,” said Bernie Zak, liaison for Alaska programs for Sandia Labs. “Of note, AEA is leading the way with its remote location energy experience in Alaska, and this has widespread interest and possible application in the energy assurance field.”
AEA and Sandia plan to communicate at least quarterly regarding collaboration in activities that are of common interest. However, the memorandum of understanding states that it “shall not be used to obligate or commit funds or as the basis for the transfer of funds.”
“AEA’s mission to reduce the cost of energy in Alaska has led us to engineer and pioneer some innovative energy solutions, particularly in remote areas,” said AEA Executive Director Ron Miller.
“AEA works closely with the Department of Energy now, so our collaboration with Sandia is in line with that effort to support the national interest at the same time we are working to improve the energy situation in Alaska,” Miller said.
—Alan Bailey
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