Weaning ourselves of reliance on fossil fuels by tapping into the energy of the Midnight Sun.
Located 90 miles from the nearest power grid, Camp Denali has harnessed the benefits of renewable energy for most of its history. From our first hydroelectric system, developed in 1981, to subsequent photovoltaics and passive-solar hot water, we continue to explore evolving ways to power our facilities while minimizing fossil fuel dependence and carbon emissions.
Beginning in 2019 and completed in 2021, we installed a greatly-expanded photovoltaic system. At 90 Kilowatts, it provides for nearly all of Camp Denali's electrical needs. In 2023, 96% of Camp Denali's electrical supply was produced by the system. The resulting natural quiet is a wonderful complement to the wilderness surroundings that we and our guests enjoy.
In the coming seasons, we plan to continue to wean ourselves off fossil fuels including propane gas and fuel oil, enabled in part by the energy production potential of our solar array and battery bank. In the spring of 2022 we converted all of the propane-fueled light fixtures in our 19 guest cabins to LED bulbs powered with rechargeable batteries. We additionally invested in induction cooktops and an electric proofing cabinet to shift some of our cooking from propane to solar power.
Additional fuel savings will come with solar hot water production from passive solar heat collectors with new construction in the near future.
The Renewable Energy Alaska Project is an Alaskan non-profit dedicated to increasing the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska through collaboration, education, training, and advocacy.
We applaud REAP's efforts to transition Alaska's energy dependence away from fossil fuels and towards innovative, renewable energy sources. We also value their commitment to educating all Alaskans, from the K-12 classroom to the halls of the state legislature in Juneau, about the benefits of carbon reduction and investing in Alaska's renewable energy future.
