The Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) is an applied energy research program based at the University of Alaska.  ACEP was formed in January, 2008 with the goal of meeting Alaska’s unique energy research needs, and operates under a private sector business model within the University system.
 

ACEP is a gateway for energy related activity at the University of Alaska.  Working across campuses and pulling from the University’s extensive resources and expertise, ACEP is interdisciplinary, needs-driven, and agile.

ACEP has also developed a wide range of partnerships outside the University at the local, state, national and international level to ensure research conducted through ACEP will be relevant, current and world class.

We have the experience – ACEP has emerged from a long history of applied energy research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and has projects and researchers located throughout the state.   UAF has a solid reputation of being a proven leader in research for Northern latitudes.   This gives us the edge in developing and testing technologies for cold climates and remote locations.

We have the resources – Alaska has more fossil and renewable energy resources than any other state in the nation.   Alaska has the potential for long-term sustainable energy production through development of its natural gas, coal, oil, hydropower, tidal, geothermal and wind resources to meet the energy needs of the state and beyond.

We are strategically positioned at a global crossroad – Alaska is already a central shipping and aircraft refueling hub.   As the Arctic environment continues to change, Alaska will have new opportunities to position itself as a world energy leader.

We are America’s arctic - As the Arctic continues to change at an accelerating rate, there is no better laboratory to define the solutions of the future.   While we are looking to the future, ACEP can also assist with the realities of the issues facing Alaskans today.

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) seeks to meet state, industry, and federal demand for applied energy research in order to lower the cost of energy throughout Alaska and develop economic opportunities for the State, its residents, and its industries.

Alaska’s world class energy resources, including oil, gas, and coal are the source of much of the state’s wealth. In Alaska, we have unique challenges and opportunities associated with large undeveloped areas, particularly related to economically competitive power for rural villages and remote industrial sites. At the same time that we are meeting energy needs of Alaska’s citizens and businesses, Alaska has major emerging opportunities, such as geothermal development in the Aleutian Islands. Alaska has resources, the potential for cheap power, and resides at a global crossroads.

ACEP strives to be interdisciplinary, needs-driven, and agile. ACEP incorporates all three MAUs of the University, taking advantage of existing strengths at UAS, UAA (e.g., the Institute for Social and Economic Research etc.), and UAF (e.g., the Geophysical Institute, International Arctic Research Center, Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station). ACEP is also developing a wide range of partnerships outside the University at the local, state, national, and international level to ensure research conducted through ACEP is relevant, current, and at a world class level.

In addition to a focus on research, ACEP also seeks to increase educational opportunities in energy for all Alaskans by offering seminars and courses on a range of energy related topics, facilitating rural training opportunities, and offering graduate and undergraduate research fellowships.