Weather plays a significant role in projects that seek to harness geothermal heat and deliver a cleaner, more renewable energy source. See how the innovative MWS®-C500 from Intellisense Systems is supporting a geothermal energy initiative on an active volcano in Alaska.
Geothermal energy promises a clean, renewable source of power that would eliminate mankind’s reliance on environmentally harmful fossil fuels. The process involves the capture of heat present inside the Earth’s crust at hydrogeological sites like volcanos and geysers. With geothermal power plants typically emitting 97% less sulfur compounds and about 99% less carbon dioxide than similarly sized fossil fuel plants, governments and businesses around the world are seeking to harness geothermal energy as a greener way to bring power to people’s homes.
One of these initiatives is taking place in the heart of the Bering Sea. On Unalaska Island, a new geothermal power plant is expected to be built on the slopes of the Makushin Volcano, one of the most active of Alaska’s 52 volcanos. This 6,680-ft peak has captivated explorers over the centuries, including famed conservationist John Muir, who noted the smoke and steam billowing from its summit in his book The Cruise of the Corwin. It has erupted at least two dozen times over the millennia, with the last major eruption taking place in 1995.
For Bernie Karl, the co-founder, president, and director of the Ounalashka Corporation and Chena Power, Makushin presents a tremendous opportunity to bring geothermal power to Alaska. The project would reduce Alaska’s carbon footprint and maintain the natural beauty for which the state is renowned. A new geothermal plant could supply sustainable energy and food to the nearly 4,500 residents around Dutch Harbor, while also bolstering local businesses and tourist activity.
“This project is the poster child for the world,” Karl explains. “We are aiming to turn off diesel power plants and bring zero emissions to Dutch Harbor in our first phase.”
Currently, Unalaska Island relies on two diesel-powered plants for electricity. This geothermal project would eliminate the island’s need for 3.5 million gallons of diesel fuel and reduce their carbon footprint by 39,000 tons of CO2 every year. In addition to making the island more sustainable, the project will also aid in food production. Alaska imports 98% of its food, and with very short spring and summer seasons near the Arctic Circle, it does not have the time or geography to cultivate enough food during the long winter months. Karl hopes that the second phase of this project is to make Alaska its own breadbasket.
“We will start to set up greenhouses, powered by geothermal energy, to aid in food production and limit our reliance on imported foods,” Karl continued. “We can use this new source right from Alaska to improve our lives. Now people can get fresh food within 24 hours instead of the two weeks it currently takes to reach them. It’s game-changing!”
A recently discovered geothermal well could supply 15-25 megawatts (MW) of renewable power to the island. However, the proposed plant was 14 miles from the nearest city, with no roads connecting it to the geothermal well. To build their geothermal power plant, Ounalashka Corporation and Chena Power required weather data from the construction site, including wind speed and direction, precipitation, lightning distance, and visibility, to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. They installed an MWS®-C500 because it includes a built-in data logger and autonomous Iridium satellite communications, as well as visibility measurements and a 360° panoramic camera.
Through three months of deployment near Makushin Volcano, the C500 has surpassed Chena Power’s expectations. The autonomous weather reporting works without cellular coverage, and information from the site can save them from making the 14-mile trek on their snowmobiles during the cold winter months. The integrated solar power system and battery pack also ensure that they receive weather reports and site imagery at any time of day. When the project began, Karl and his team thought that it would be impossible to make progress through the winter. Now, thanks to weather data from the C500, they can.
“This project would not be possible without this weather station,” Karl explains. “We have no roads or helicopters in these remote areas, and no weather data. How were we to know if it was safe to work? Now with the C500, we know the weather so we can keep working. We are very thankful that we found this weather station and formed a great partnership to further enable this project.”