The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), in partnership with the United States Department of Energy, has awarded $20.9 million to three Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) grid resilience projects on Jan. 8, 2025. These projects are designed to enhance Interior Alaska’s transmission infrastructure and improve its ability to withstand disruptive events.
The following are awarded projects:
- $10.3 million – Alaska Intertie Snow Load Resiliency
- This project, awarded to GVEA on behalf of the Alaska Intertie Management Committee, will mitigate trip events along the Alaska Intertie. The initiative involves reconfiguring conductor insulators to prevent ground contact caused by sagging due to unbalanced snow loads.
- $8.9 million – Interior Alaska Power Line Resiliency
- GVEA will relocate sinking transmission poles affected by permafrost within its service area and modify existing transmission line insulators to address unbalanced snow loading, reducing power disruptions.
- $1.7 million – Alaska Railbelt Synchrophasor and Disturbance Reporting System
- Also awarded to GVEA on behalf of the Alaska Intertie Management Committee, this project will enhance real-time data sharing between Railbelt substations. The installation of a synchrophasor data collection network aims to reduce system-wide disruptive oscillation events.
AEA Executive Director Curtis Thayer says that the investments are pivotal for strengthening Alaska’s overall grid resilience.
“Through these projects, we’re working to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of disruptive events, ensuring a more reliable energy system for all Alaskans,” Thayer says.
Travis Million, the CEO of the Golden Valley Electric Association, says that the grant opportunities through AEA will provide long-term benefits to GVEA’s member-owners.
He also says that the awarded projects will improve reliability and resiliency while enhancing safety for GVEA’s field team and its members.
“By making these projects economically viable, the grant funds will help us deliver lasting value to the communities we serve,” said Million.
The Grid Resilience Grant Program, funded through Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is administered through AEA. Over the program’s five-year duration, AEA anticipates receiving $60.5 million, with a 15% cost match requirement totaling $9 million.
A second Request for Applications (RFA) is planned for the first quarter of 2025.