Building Science ProjectsPolicy Research

Secure and Resilient Power Generation in Cold Regions

Working in collaboration with Construction Engineering Research Laboratory and Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) staff, researchers with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and the Cold Climate Housing Research Center will carry out a techno-economic assessment of new energy options at Fort Wainwright. Researchers will also look at new building technologies and future energy requirements for CRREL’s Permafrost Tunnel Site.

Fort Wainwright’s aging power plant is in need of replacement. However, several factors need to be considered in this process, including local air quality and the potential tor new energy sources for the Fairbanks region. To this end, UAF and CCHRC will compile existing  data on Fort Wainwright energy usage and use weather models to simulate the air quality implications of different generation scenarios (such as coal or natural gas).

UAF will analyze whether one or more small-scale modular nuclear reactors are a realistic power choice for the installation. Finally, the project partners will initiate a study of current and future energy and building science needs for CRREL’s Permafrost Tunnel Site.

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