Showcasing Leadership in Clean Transportation at the Port of Alaska

This month, Launch Alaska hosted state legislators and energy leaders for a series of Clean Transportation Tours at the Port of Alaska.

Launch Alaska has been working closely with the Port to advance its modernization, resiliency, and decarbonization efforts, and we were excited to share this work with 20 government officials, policymakers, and industry leaders, including 11 legislators.

At Launch Alaska, we believe it is important that Alaska’s elected officials and policymakers understand that the Port of Alaska is critical infrastructure. And what better way to understand something than to see it firsthand. As Alaska’s primary inbound cargo facility, the Port supports local, statewide, national, and international economic interests. It is one of 18 Department of Defense-designated commercial strategic seaports and supports U.S. military missions across Alaska and around the world. The Port of Alaska’s operations are essential for timely disaster response and recovery throughout Southcentral Alaska and across the state, and it handles three-quarters of the fuel used at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the world’s third busiest air cargo hub. 

Our host at the Port of Alaska and primary collaborator is the dynamic Jim Jager, the Port’s deputy director for programs and policy and facility security officer. Jim shared with tour attendees exciting upcoming projects at the Port to tour attendees, and also drove folks around the grounds by bus, pointing out earthquake stabilization efforts, the future site of a new solar farm, new dock infrastructure and even a beluga whale pod that was feeding right outside the dock. Highlighted during presentations were the Port of Alaska Modernization Program and the Port of Alaska Power Plan.

The Port Power Plan was developed in close partnership with Launch Alaska and Sandia National Laboratories, and will guide the Port in developing a connected microgrid with electrical management and control systems, a battery energy storage system, and renewable and thermal generation capacity that will improve the Port’s operational resiliency and provide backup power during utility power outages. The innovative vision of the Port Power Plan will reduce both power costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and Launch Alaska was proud to support this project.

“The Port of Alaska is a critical piece of infrastructure for Alaska and the nation,” said Curtis W. Thayer, executive director of the Alaska Energy Authority, who attended one of the tours. “The Alaska Energy Authority is pleased to see microgrids like the Port of Alaska growing with renewable power generation and battery energy storage systems. We appreciate Launch Alaska coordinating this opportunity and look forward to working with those innovators involved in the Port of Alaska’s alternative energy needs.”

The tour also discussed the Port’s vision for clean hydrogen production and use at the Port and elsewhere in Alaska, through collaboration with Port Mackenzie. Attendees were particularly interested in potential future clean hydrogen pilot projects and economic opportunities.

“I’ve toured the Port before. Now I wanted to see what progress has been made to fix the crumbling infrastructure,” said Alaska Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, who attended one of the August tours. “I was completely impressed with the direction the Port is headed - upgraded dock for newer vessels, a self-contained micro grid, renewable energy sources and so much more! All investments taking us from now to the future.”

Launch Alaska is proud to partner with the Port of Alaska and showcase the potential for innovative solutions that enhance infrastructure, increase resiliency, and contribute to environmental sustainability.