Hybrid Micro-Energy Project

CCHRC is actively participating in Hybrid Micro-Energy Research, a project designed to demonstrate how a variety of renewable energy sources can work together to power small scale energy demands in Alaska on a year-round basis. The solar array component of the HMEP is currently being constructed at CCHRC's Research and Testing Facility with hopes of being fully operational by November 2007.

The hybrid system is being designed for the high-latitude challenge of minimal solar energy during the long winter when energy demand is greatest and bountiful solar energy in the summer when demand is minimal.

"Overcoming Alaska's challenges can provide solutions the whole world can use. At CCHRC we think that Alaska's energy solutions can come from Alaska - we think that energy solutions for the world can come from Alaskan's creative talent," says Jack Hébert, President and CEO of CCHRC.

The HMEP will consist of 10 to 15 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic tracking solar arrays, two different types of solar hot water collectors, wind generation, and at least one biomass fired combined heat and power (CHP) unit, all of which will work together to provide heat and power to the Research Test Facility on a year round basis. With the HMEP, the building should produce all of its electrical needs from renewable energy by the spring of 2008.

The HMEP system operations data will be available through the internet to enable the monitoring of its performance in real time.

CHRC will host a community event once the entire system is operational.

Collaborators on the project include:

Additional Information

The CCHRC offers regularly scheduled tours of the Research and Test Facility at 2 p.m. every Thursday.

For additional information, please see our Press Release, HMEP Handout 1 and HMEP Handout 2. For information on other studies conducted at the Cold Climate Housing and Research Center please visit our Reports page.

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