The following letter was submitted last month to the office of Fran Ulmer, Chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage by Alyeska Resort owner John Byrne. The letter outlines Alyeska’s plans to work with UAA to utilize renewable energy by developing a Co-Generation complete Heat and Power plant.
Dear Chancellor Ulmer:
As the principal owner of Alyeska Resort located n Girdwood, AK, I would like to express, on behalf of the Resort, my support of The University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) Girdwood Renewable Energy Research & Discovery Center.
The Resort is committed to reducing its “carbon footprint” and looking forward to the development of renewable energy sources. Alyeska Resort has undertaken efforts to study the development of a Co-Generation complete Heat and Power (CHP) plant to provide electricity to the Resort while capturing and using heat generated though such power generation. The CHP plant could reduce the Resort’s “carbon footprint” by as much as 50 percent by increasing the efficiency of the power generation from the burning of natural gas, utilizing the excess heat to warm The Hotel Alyeska and reducing our use of the hotel’s boilers.
In addition, the CHP plant would be designed to act as a “buffer” between various potential Glacier Valley renewable energy projects and the Chugach Electric power grid, which would significantly increase the economic viability of such renewable energy.
I am deeply committed to the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the Alyeska Resort. The Resort’s anticipated development of a CHP plant fits nicely with the Girdwood Renewable Energy Research & Discovery Center proposed by Dr. Orson Smith and UAA. The identification and study of renewable energy sources in Glacier Valley is an important component of our development of a long-term resort energy strategy. I believe that together we can demonstrate “carbon footprint” reducing, energy efficient power generation and renewable energy projects that are viable from both an engineering and economic perspective.
We are very excited about the recent proposal made by Dr. Smith titled “Alyeska Glacier to Bay—a study of ice, water, aquatic and riparian systems.” Our snow safety department has a 50-year database of wind, temperature and snowfall history. We are pleased to share this data with UAA. We stand ready to assist with year-round data collection within the Resort and its environs.
The Resort has further offered to make available to Dr. Smith and UAA an office or two and parking for a couple of vehicles to facilitate UAA’s work. Dr. Smith and I have had several long discussions and have developed a strong communication. I continue to encourage him to let me know of other opportunities to assist with the Renewable Research and Discovery Center.
Humanity must change its use of fossil fuel or face dire climatic consequences. What better place to explore the possibilities than Girdwood and the Glacier Valley.
Sincerely,
John Byrne
President,
Alyeska Ski Resort L.L.C.