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A research-based course on resilient renewable energy solutions, with an emphasis on microgrids, and Food, Energy, and Water (FEW) security.
After a course session ends, it will be archived.
This course provides research-based and on-the-ground tools for students, community planners, decision-makers, energy professionals, and interested citizens to improve and implement stronger and more resilient renewable energy systems in Arctic communities. Through a framework combining renewable energy in microgrids, and Food, Energy, and Water (FEW) security and infrastructure, this course synthesizes concepts into a holistic approach to community planning, improvement, and resiliency.
Learn about existing and emerging types of renewable energy and clean energy sources and technologies and explore examples from Alaska, including solar energy, wind energy, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower facilities. Explore sustainable energy and alternative energy concepts.
Examine underlying causes of food, energy, and water insecurity in Arctic, subarctic, and northern rural communities as it relates to energy use.
Gain insights into Arctic and subarctic lifestyles, including the roles and impacts of wild harvests, plant-based foods, and health disparities.
Learn about food, energy, and water security and analyze the interactions among food, energy, and water usage, including for example: energy and water use in the production, transportation, and storage of food; energy usage in treating drinking water and wastewater for human health; water demands and fuel costs for electricity generation; appropriate food systems, sources of energy, and water resource usage and allocation; climate change impacts, fossil fuels and environmental impacts.
Gain specialized expertise on a variety of Arctic energy generation issues affecting its residents and Indigenous peoples, from engineering to social science to traditional community knowledge.
Learn the key concepts with practical, Alaska-focused examples.
Use real wind speed data from wind turbines and photovoltaic data from solar panels with various analysis tools to make community energy assessments related to energy production.
Apply a Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus approach to guide decisions about renewable power and selection of an energy mix from hydroelectric power to solar power and wind power.
Gain skills that enable a move toward a new energy future that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and carbon emissions through a focus on renewable energy sources that maximize energy efficiency and clean electricity production.
Learn from National Science Foundation-funded researchers and staff from a variety of disciplines at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Calgary, Stanford, and the private sector. Connections with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
This project is funded by the National Science Foundation, Award #1740075 INFEWS/T3: Coupling infrastructure improvements to food-energy-water system dynamics in small cold region communities: MicroFEWs.
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Explore current states of food, energy, and water systems in rural Alaska, with broader applications to the Arctic.
Compare mature and emerging renewable energy technologies such as hydro, photovoltaics, and geothermal energy, with examples from Alaska.
Define how food, energy, and water impacts community well-being in the Arctic and beyond.
Analyze the feedback between renewable energy power generation and the local drivers of food, energy, and water security.
Explore and discuss scientific and social issues that arise when utilizing food, energy, and water resources.
Organize and quantify food and water security data.
Use renewable energy resource data to create energy assessments.
Learn how modular food and water applications can optimize renewable energy inputs in the Arctic and beyond.
Apply decision making methodologies to develop community level recommendations based on resource energy assessments combined with food and water security information.
Module 1: Life in Alaska
Module 2: Energy Nuts & Bolts
Module 3: Community Well-Being
Module 4: Making Decisions
"This course is approachable no matter your background in renewable energy or your knowledge of Alaska. I found this course to accurately represent the challenges surrounding the transportation of food and water, and the implementation of renewable energy.” –Lydia Andriesen
“This is a fantastic course for learning about food, water, and energy interactions and production in rural arctic communities. The course videos are informative and unique. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in learning about these topics.” –Mori Hays
Who should take this course?
Do I have to be good at math and science to understand this material?
What if I’m not from Alaska or a rural community?
How do I apply this material to communities outside of Alaska?
Will I be able to network and learn from other students taking the course?
