Gwen is the Director of the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP), which
is an applied energy research program based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
focusing on both fossil and renewable/alternative energy technologies. ACEP is a highly
interdisciplinary program with over 30 affiliated faculty spanning a wide range of energy-
related disciplines.

Prior to joining the University of Alaska, Gwen served as the Vice President of New
Development at Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks. While at Chena, Gwen
oversaw the construction of the first geothermal power plant in the state, in addition to
numerous other innovative energy projects ranging from hydrogen production to cooling
a 10,000ft2 ice museum year-round using 150°F hot water. Gwen moved to Alaska in
1994, shortly after graduating from Bradley University with a degree in Physics and
Mechanical Engineering. Gwen is the mother of three children – Leif, Marais, and Lael.
She is married to Iditarod and Yukon Quest musher Ken Anderson, and the couple
maintain a kennel of about 50 dogs outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. They live off grid in
a house they built themselves, and generate their own power through a combination of
solar PV, wind, and diesel generator.

Gwen has been the recipient of several awards throughout her career, including an R&D
100 award, Project of the Year from Power Engineering Magazine, the Alaska Top 40
Under 40 Award.

• Alaska Hydrokinetic Energy Research Center
• Biomass Energy Technologies
• Pilgrim Hot Springs Geothermal Resource Exploration
• Small Scale Nuclear Power: an Option for Alaska?
• Energy Storage for Alaskan Communities Technology Summary
• Opportunities for Woody Biomass Fuel Crops in Interior Alaska
• Emerging Energy Technologies: the University Role
• FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH BASELINE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY BASE YEAR 2007
• Alaska Energy Plan
• Nenana Hydro
• Biomass Power Generation
• Chena Hot Springs Geothermal
• Chena Chiller
• Geothermal from moderate Temperature