Mentors: Emily Browning Alvarado and Steph Fisher

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: marine energy, field work, data analysis, bathymetry, 3D printing

Background: The Pacific Marine Energy Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (PMEC-UAF) provides practical and innovative solutions for hydrokinetic power generation to help meet Alaska's energy challenges. Our research informs communities, industry, regulators and other stakeholders on the economic and environmental sustainability of emerging hydrokinetic technologies. Our Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site (TRTS) is used to test hydrokinetic power generating devices, related technologies, and to characterize the river environment under realistic Alaska river conditions. Researchers and industrial clients can use the test site to assess interaction between hydrokinetic devices and the environment, including fish interactions, debris management, turbine placement, hydrodynamic analysis, sediment transport and icing.

Project: This internship will have two goals: 1) assist PMEC staff at TRTS and 2) create 3D models of Tanana River bathymetry data with the goal of designing a river flume for fluid dynamics testing. A wealth of data has been collected at the Tanana River Test Site including velocity and bathymetry data, and the intern will have the opportunity to observe the process of marine energy data collection while working with previously collected data for the 3D printing project. There is the potential to work on data analysis if applicable to the intern’s skills and interests.

Test Site activities will include two weeks of real-world testing with BladeRunner Energy and the assembly and deployment of a new debris diverter. The intern will be mobilizing, prepping, and implementing instruments and equipment, and be onsite for turbine testing and demobilizing. The intern will learn boat driving, basic mechanical applications, planning, prepping, and executing remote fieldwork. This position also includes learning how to program and deploy numerous oceanographic and inter-riverine instruments (ADCPs, ADVs, CTDs, and sonars), and data collection systems. Drone work and Trimble survey equipment will also be utilized at different times throughout the summer.

Relevant Majors and Skills: This internship is open to any major, though mechanical engineering, ocean engineering, and marine science are particularly well suited. The candidate must be able and willing to spend their summer outdoors on the river. Prior experience with 3D printing and makerspaces is highly desired. The intern should have a growth mindset and desire to learn the ins and outs of fieldwork, with some background in computer programming, and strong communication skills.

Work Setting: This internship will be based primarily on UAF Campus, with trips to the Tanana River Test Site, 55 miles outside of Fairbanks. This position requires that the individual is comfortable on the water, able to lift a minimum of 25lbs, and can maneuver large, cumbersome equipment. This internship is based in Fairbanks with an in-person mentor for the Test Site and a virtual mentor who is based in Juneau for the 3D printing project.

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Work Setting: Field work; Lab work

Travel: Day trips

Mentor: In-person, Virtual

Mentors: Eloise Brown and Steph Fisher

Location: Fairbanks and/or Anchorage (if in Anchorage, housing not provided)

Key Themes: marine energy, field work, community outreach, data analysis

Background: The Pacific Marine Energy Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (PMEC-UAF) provides practical and innovative solutions for hydrokinetic power generation to help meet Alaska's energy challenges. Our research informs communities, industry, regulators and other stakeholders on the economic and environmental sustainability of emerging hydrokinetic technologies. Our Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site (TRTS) is used to test hydrokinetic power generating devices, related technologies, and to characterize the river environment under realistic Alaska river conditions. Researchers and industrial clients can use the test site to assess interaction between hydrokinetic devices and the environment, including fish interactions, debris management, turbine placement, hydrodynamic analysis, sediment transport and icing.

Project: This internship will have two goals: 1) participate in a community assistance project evaluating river energy in McGrath, Alaska, and 2) assist PMEC staff at the TRTS in Nenana. The intern will learn preliminary data analysis techniques for water levels and velocities measured by acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP). Tasks will also include planning, prepping, and executing remote fieldwork, learning how to program and deploy numerous oceanographic and river instruments (ADCPs, ADVs, CTDs, and sonars), boat driving, basic mechanical applications and development of community outreach materials. The intern will work out of the PMEC lab/shop on the UAF Campus, with optional travel to UAA campus in Anchorage.

Relevant Majors and Skills: Although this internship is open to any major, candidates are preferred in oceanography or environmental science, with some computer programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python, etc.) and an interest in community outreach and engagement. This position requires a willingness and ability to spend time outdoors on the river and travel to remote locations. Seeking candidates with these qualities: responsible, attention to detail, and ability to work independently. Applicants with lived experience in rural Alaska are encouraged to apply.

Work Setting: This internship will be based primarily on UAF campus (UAA optional), with trips to the Tanana River Test Site, 55 miles outside of Fairbanks, and a potential opportunity for one week of fieldwork in McGrath, Alaska. This position requires that the individual is comfortable on the water, able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs, can maneuver large, cumbersome equipment, has some background in computer programming, and strong cross-cultural communication skills.

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Work Setting: Field work; Desk work

Travel: Day trips; Rural travel

Mentor: In-person; Virtual

Mentor: Dayne Broderson, ACEP Data Team

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: data librarian, data management, data governance, the scientific data lifecycle, documentation, reproducible science, FAIR data, CARE data, OCAP data, Indigenous data sovereignty

Background: The ACEP Data Team facilitates access to ACEP’s data, creates and maintains data inventory, and advises on data decisions both technical and ethical. They are involved in projects in data inventory, data sharing agreements, data management plans, data publishing and archiving. They are working on supporting implementation of best practices in platforms and tools that ACEP designs and uses for data governance.

Project: This project will bring a data librarian intern into the ACEP Internship program to provide data management and data archiving services for other intern projects.

Relevant Majors and Skills: The ideal candidate will be studying data management or information management. The ideal candidate will be interested in learning and practicing best approaches to scientific data management and data governance for a dynamic research institute with a large diversity of data needs. The intern will be most successful when providing data management and archiving guidance to peers in a supportive and service-oriented way. They will be curious about research, technology, and information management.

Work Setting: This internship will be primarily desk work.

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Work Setting: Desk work

Travel: None

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: John Haverlack

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: cybersecurity awareness, educational outreach, cyber hygiene, digital divide

Background: In today's digital era, where technology underpins almost every aspect of our lives, the importance of cybersecurity has become paramount. The increasing sophistication and frequency of cyber threats, such as ransomware, phishing, and social engineering attacks, highlight the urgent need for widespread cybersecurity awareness. This reality calls for the development of accessible and comprehensive training modules to educate and empower individuals and organizations. These modules are crucial for enhancing digital resilience, bridging the cybersecurity knowledge gap, and fostering a culture that understands and effectively mitigates cyber risks.

Project: The project involves developing a mini-series of modular cybersecurity awareness training presentations, each complemented by a training video. These modules are designed to be flexible, allowing for both in-person presentation and individual viewing via shared videos. Collaboration with the project mentor is essential to identify and organize the training modules and curriculum content.

For each training module, a presentation slide deck will be created, likely using Google Docs or PDF format. There will also be a focus on developing or curating legally licensed graphics and video content for the presentations. Importantly, all module content will be published under a liberal open source license, ensuring easy adoption by any organization. Each module is intended to be concise, lasting between 15 to 30 minutes.

The videos will be published on YouTube and potentially other platforms, depending on their suitability. Additionally, the project will consider alternative media formats to address issues like the digital divide, ADA accessibility, and generational communication gaps.

The training modules will cover a range of topics, including: Cybersecurity Awareness Basics, Handling Sensitive Information, Social Engineering, Cyber Hygiene and Security Tools, Digital Privacy Best Practices, Encrypting Data, Research in Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity for Seniors, Introduction to Cybersecurity Compliance Frameworks, Network Security, and Operational Security.

Relevant Majors and Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Technical writing and storytelling
• Producing and editing video content
• Video narration
• Curriculum development

Work Setting: This internship will be primarily desk work.

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Work: Desk work

Travel: None

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: John Haverlack

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: cybersecurity compliance, gap assessment, regulatory frameworks

Background:
In the rapidly evolving landscape of energy utilities, cybersecurity is a paramount concern. With the increasing reliance on digital technologies and operational technology (OT) systems, small energy utilities face unique challenges in securing their infrastructure.

Project: The primary objective of this internship is to develop a comprehensive Gap Assessment Template for small energy utilities, tailored to align with the Section 40216 Cybersecurity Plan, and incorporating principles from the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 3 Guide to Operational Technology (OT) Security. This involves gaining an in-depth understanding of these frameworks and standards, focusing on their applicability to the unique challenges faced by small energy utilities. The intern will design the template to be user-friendly, adaptable, and scalable, ensuring it is applicable to a diverse range of small energy utilities. A significant aspect of the project is the integration of best practices for cybersecurity, particularly in operational technology security, ensuring the template not only assesses readiness but also guides utilities towards enhancing their security posture. The project will also involve testing the template in real-world scenarios and refining it based on feedback from industry experts or relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the intern will be responsible for creating comprehensive documentation and training materials to facilitate the effective implementation of the gap assessment process by small energy utilities.

Expected Outcomes: By the end of the internship, we expect the delivery of a robust and practical Gap Assessment Template that small energy utilities can leverage to evaluate and improve their cybersecurity measures. This template will be a vital tool in helping these utilities identify gaps in their current cybersecurity practices and align themselves with industry standards and regulatory requirements. Alongside the template, the intern will produce a set of documentation and training materials, which will be instrumental in guiding utilities through the gap assessment process. These outcomes will not only contribute to the enhancement of cybersecurity within small energy utilities but also provide the intern with a profound understanding of the cybersecurity landscape in the energy sector, particularly focusing on operational technology security.

Relevant Majors and Skills:

• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, cybersecurity principles and frameworks, especially in relation to energy utilities.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex information into practical tools and resources.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for stakeholder engagement.

Work Setting: This project will involve an in-depth navigation of specific regulatory frameworks, and technical writing to simplify cybersecurity assessment for non-technical audiences.

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Work Setting: Desk work

Travel: None

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: John Haverlack

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: cybersecurity compliance, gap assessment, regulatory frameworks

Background: In the current landscape of energy management and distribution, microgrids represent a significant advancement, offering enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and reliability in power generation and distribution. However, the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of these systems, particularly with the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, present new challenges in terms of operational and cybersecurity risks. The need for robust and resilient control systems, such as SCADA, is more critical than ever, especially given the rise in cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure. The Simulink Energy Microgrid OT Network Simulation project arises from this crucial need. It aims to create a realistic, simulated microgrid environment that not only mimics the operational intricacies of such systems but also serves as a vital tool for cybersecurity research and development. By simulating various energy sources and SCADA monitoring within an OT network, this project provides a unique platform to study, detect, and counteract potential cyber threats.

Project: This internship is centered on developing simulated data for cybersecurity modeling and testing, providing a unique opportunity for hands-on experience in the convergence of energy systems and cybersecurity data generation. The primary goal of this internship is to create a sophisticated simulation of an energy microgrid using Simulink, integrating diverse energy sources like diesel, solar, and wind power. The emphasis of this project is on generating simulated data that accurately reflects the complexities and dynamics of real-world energy systems. This involves detailed modeling of energy production, consumption, and distribution within the microgrid. A key component of the project is the development of a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system within the simulation. This system's role is pivotal in monitoring and controlling the microgrid, thereby creating a realistic operational technology (OT) network environment in the energy sector. An essential part of this setup is the simulation of Modbus communication protocols, designed to produce data streams that are representative of those in actual industrial control systems.

The focus of the internship is on generating high-fidelity simulated data that can be used to test cybersecurity systems. This involves creating scenarios within the simulated microgrid environment that could potentially highlight cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The simulated data will be instrumental in detecting and analyzing possible cybersecurity threats, but from a data generation standpoint rather than a mitigation perspective.

Additionally, the simulated data generated will be used to create machine learning training datasets, assisting in the development and evaluation of advanced cybersecurity services, including:

• SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)
• IDS (Intrusion Detection Systems)
• Centralized logging and log analysis

This work is crucial in a technology-driven world where reliable and realistic data is key to advancing cybersecurity solutions in the energy sector.

Related Majors and Skills:

• Knowledge of Simulink for modeling
• Basic knowledge of energy systems, particularly in microgrids, including solar, wind, and diesel power generation.
• Experience in simulating network environments, specifically Operational Technology (OT) networks.
• Understanding of communication protocols like Modbus, commonly used in industrial control systems.
• Familiarity with advanced cybersecurity threat protection systems.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to develop solutions for complex systems and potential cybersecurity challenges.
• Analytical mindset to interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions from simulations.
• Willingness to learn new tools and technologies as the project evolves.
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and explore innovative solutions

Work Setting: This internship will be primarily desk based.

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Work Setting: Desk work

Travel: None

Mentorship Type: In-person

Mentor: Magnus De Witt

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: environmental studies, life cycle assessment, cost analysis, energy economics, fossil fuels, rural Northern communities

Background: Alaska is well known for extractive industries, such as mining, oil and gas extraction. However, a closer look at the use of fossil fuels in Alaska shows a unique case. We might think that the crude oil is extracted in Alaska and, after refining, available for use in Alaska. In real life, the supply chain of fossil fuels for Alaskan communities is more complex. The crude oil extracted in Alaska is shipped to the Lower 48th, where it is refined. The refined crude oil can be ‘re-imported' as diesel to Alaska and distributed among communities. The distribution of diesel for remote communities is unique. Depending on the accessibility of communities, the diesel can be delivered by trucks on ice roads during the wintertime, on barges during the summertime, or by aircraft.

Project: The internship aims to analyze the carbon life cycle of diesel used among Alaskan off-grid communities. A life cycle assessment should evaluate the use of diesel for electricity generation, from crude oil extraction to final energy generation, with all process steps. The goal is to calculate the associated emissions with the use of diesel for electricity generation in off-grid communities and to estimate the process efficiency.

Relevant Majors and Skills: This project seeks an intern who is passionate about environmental studies and energy. It is not bound to a particular field of study. The intern should have strong communication skills and the desire to problem solve independently. Possible majors include environmental studies, engineering, economics, social science, or natural sciences.

Work Setting: This project is primarily desk work with a mix of literature reviews and content creation. The intern may work with other interns conducting research in the field of energy transition.

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Work Setting: Desk work

Travel: Potential road system travel

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: Magnus De Witt, Brittany Smart, Gwen Holdmann

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: energy transition, data collection, data analysis, energy policy, stakeholder engagement

Background: The Energy Transitions Initiatives team at the University of Alaska Fairbanks aims to support the transformation of Alaska’s energy systems and increase energy resilience through information and applied research. In 2007, ACEP developed a Baseline Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Recently, there has been a reemerging need for an update to the baseline to inform policy and project development. Additionally, interest has arisen in the Anchorage community to establish a similar effort.

Project: This internship aims to assist ACEP researchers in updating the Baseline Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Fairbanks and developing a new Baseline Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Anchorage. This is anticipated to be accomplished through the collecting and analysis of data. The intern will be responsible for data collection, initial analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

The intern will be part of the Energy Transitions Initiative team of interns and participate in ACEP staff discussions and round table conversations.

Relevant Majors and Skills: This internship is open to any major, though an interest in data collection, analysis, and visualization is key. Skills that will make this internship successful and enjoyable include but are not limited to: data collection, stakeholder engagement, data validation, and attention to detail. Being well organized, strong attention to detail, and being able to present complicated information to others without much explanation is critical.

Work Setting: This internship will be a mix of desk work, in person meetings, and potential travel to Anchorage.

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Work Setting: Desk work

Travel: Potential Anchorage trips

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: Magnus De Witt, Brittany Smart, Gwen Holdmann

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: energy transition, white papers, energy policy, writing briefs, research

Background: The Energy Transitions Initiatives team at the University of Alaska Fairbanks aims to support the transformation of Alaska’s energy systems and increase energy resilience through information and applied research. Developing materials to answer questions and inform policy and project development is critical for impactful investments and decision-making. Providing up-to-date information relevant to the constituents of Alaska and policymakers is necessary. Concise and intentional white papers can relay that information in an efficient manner.

Project: This internship aims to assist ACEP researchers in the development of white papers for various topics related to the Arctic Energy Transitions (eg. Canada’s subsidy program, the uptick of the integration of renewables, potential restructuring of the Power Cost Equalization, etc). The white papers are designed to help inform Alaska’s policy work and project developments.

The intern will be part of the Energy Transitions Initiative team of interns and participate in ACEP staff discussions and round-table conversations.

Relevant Majors and Skills: This internship is open to any major, though an interest in communications, writing, and policy is relevant. Skills that will make this internship successful and enjoyable include but are not limited to, web-based research, writing skills, literature reviews, and policy.

Work Setting: This internship will be primarily desk work but with the possibility of traveling to rural Alaska communities.

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Work Setting: Desk work

Travel: Potential rural travel

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: Emilia Sakai Hernandez

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: Railbelt decarbonization, energy transition, power systems integration, interdisciplinary, science communication

Background: Alaska’s Railbelt transmission system is the largest electrical grid in Alaska serving about 800 MW of load across the state from Homer to Fairbanks. Because of its small size compared to grids in the Lower 48, Alaska’s Railbelt is a stability-constrained system. As a result, utility operators often have different considerations when thinking about how to take advantage of the significant renewable energy resources available to the Railbelt grid.

In consultation with utilities and other Alaska energy stakeholders, Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) is exploring and quantifying the costs and constraints of a decarbonized Railbelt electric grid in 2050, while maintaining reliable and affordable electricity. The purpose of this Railbelt Decarbonization Study is to inform future studies and decisions made by Alaska utilities, the State of Alaska, and other stakeholders with an independent, unbiased assessment that demonstrates to technical and non-technical audiences the opportunities and challenges facing isolated regional electric grids seeking to decarbonize.

Project: After two years of scenario development, surveys, and analysis, the Railbelt Decarbonization Project is publishing the Railbelt Decarbonization Report in early 2024. The intern on this project will work with the PSI program manager to create digestible guides for the general public to engage with the information outlined in the report. First, the intern will build context for understanding the energy system and physical infrastructure of the Alaska Railbelt, pulling from existing data, reports, and literature. The intern will also build context for understanding the technical Railbelt Decarbonization Report through interviews with contributors to the report and reviews of the functions and limitations of modeling software used in the report. Then, the intern will identify specific audiences to create public-facing materials that empower Alaskans. These audiences and deliverables will be co-developed based on the intern’s interests and skills. Examples include:

• Infographics
• Wiki pages for undergraduate students
• Wikipedia articles
• Videos (example: How Does the Power Grid Work? by Practical Engineering)
• Infrastructure scavenger hunt

Relevant Majors and Skills: This project is seeking an individual who is passionate about interdisciplinary aspects of energy research and science communication. It is not bound to a particular field of study and is ideally suited for someone who is inquisitive, creative, and can translate between technical science and engaging the general public. Possible majors include engineering, history, social science, or natural sciences. Individuals with experience in digital storytelling, media, or journalism are encouraged to apply.

Work Setting: This project is primarily desk work with potential opportunities for travel along the Railbelt (Fairbanks to Homer). There will be a mix of literature reviews, interviews, and content creation. This intern may work with other interns whose projects feature elements of science communication and the energy transition.

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Work Setting: Desk work; Field work

Travel: Potential Railbelt travel

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: Tom Marsik

Location: Fairbanks

Key Themes: active vacuum insulation, building science, cold climate housing

Background: Vacuum insulation can provide insulating values an order of magnitude higher than conventional insulation of the same thickness. Current vacuum insulated panels (VIPs) are expensive, cannot be customized on-site, and lose vacuum over time, which are some of the issues preventing a wide market adoption for building construction. In order to overcome these issues, ACEP in collaboration with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center and other partners is developing an active vacuum insulation system. It is an innovative concept where the insulation (the core material) is cut to size on-site, a large section of the insulation is sealed in a vacuum-tight membrane, and a vacuum pump is attached, which periodically engages to maintain the vacuum. A prototype of an active vacuum insulated panel was successfully developed and a patent application was filed.

Project: The intern will help advance the active vacuum insulation project. The specific focus will be co-developed with the intern, based on their interests and passions. Examples of potential focus areas are as follows:

• Testing different configurations of the active vacuum insulation system and studying the impacts of the system variables (such as the diameter of the vacuum hose connecting the vacuum pump to the panel)
• Developing a control system (for example Raspberry Pi based) that is going to take a signal from a pressure sensor and cause the vacuum pump to start or stop based on the level of the vacuum in the system
• Helping build a prototype of an active vacuum insulated building envelope

Relevant Majors and Skills: Science or engineering background is particularly suited, but any major will be considered. Upperclassman interested in graduate school is preferred. This internship has the potential to continue and transition into a graduate study at UAF.

Work Setting: This internship is in-person based in Fairbanks. It has a significant hands-on component, some of which will take place at the active vacuum insulation experimental site at the Cold Climate Research Center.

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Work Setting: Desk work; Lab work, Prototype work

Travel: None

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: Chris Pike, Michelle Wilber

Location: Anchorage (housing not provided)

Key Themes: science communication, public policy, power cost equalization, energy economics, renewable energy, energy transitions, energy sovereignty

Background: In an effort to decarbonize and stabilize the cost of energy, many communities have embarked on strategies to transition to renewable sources of energy. Remote Alaska communities face particularly unique energy challenges, as they have historically operated as islanded microgrids reliant on diesel generators, requiring expensive imported fuel which is subject to volatile pricing and logistically challenging supply chains. ACEP is undertaking in-depth case studies to understand how remote Northern community renewable energy transitions support energy autonomy and sovereignty.

One aspect of the energy transition in Alaska involves the Power Cost Equalization program (PCE), which provides financial subsidies for high costs of electricity in rural Alaska where energy costs can be up to five times higher than larger communities such as Anchorage and Fairbanks. The PCE program benefits rural communities by lowering the electricity costs paid by customers, however, the PCE program was developed to provide relief to communities in Alaska that are reliant on diesel fuel for power generation. As rural communities incorporate renewable sources of energy into their microgrids, there is a need to understand and communicate how PCE is affected by various renewable energy ownership structures including utility owned renewables, independent power producers, and others.

Project: The intern will work to articulate how PCE is affected by different renewable energy ownership structures by creating engaging and creative online educational content. This internship will provide the intern a deep understanding of the PCE program and renewable energy ownership structures, as well as hands-on experience creating a public outreach product.

The project will be broken into two parts: 1) The intern will compile existing resources regarding PCE and deepen their understanding of the current ownership structures that exist in different Alaskan utilities through interviews and reading. 2) The intern will identify a specific audience in the general public and create an engaging educational multimedia resource regarding PCE and integrating renewables. The final outreach product will be developed based on the interest and experience of the intern.

Relevant Majors and Skills: This project is seeking an individual who is passionate about interdisciplinary aspects of energy research and science communication. It is not bound to a particular field of study and is ideally suited for someone who is inquisitive, creative, and can translate between technical science and engaging the general public. Possible majors include engineering, economics, social science, journalism, communications, or public policy. Individuals with experience in digital storytelling, media, or journalism are encouraged to apply. UAA student is preferred.

Work Setting: This project is primarily desk work although we’ll do our best to add some variety as much as possible. There will be a mix of literature reviews, interviews, and content creation. This intern may work with other interns whose projects feature elements of science communication and the energy transition.

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Work Setting: Desk work

Travel: None

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: Michelle Wilber

Location: Anchorage (housing not provided)

Key Themes: solar PV, food-energy-water, prototype testing

Background: Farmers in Alaska have a root cellar challenge; as summers become longer and warmer, root cellars are becoming too hot for vegetable preservation in the fall. Since the need for active cooling is generally coincident with Alaska’s summer solar resource availability, active solar cooling of a root cellar (to provide thermal buffering and a non-freezing temperature during the winter) is an attractive approach to combat high produce costs and food waste. Ideally, a root cellar could run active cooling straight from solar, no electric grid backup or battery storage needed, as it would only run when cooling is needed most – when the sun shines. This is an ideal application for farms removed from existing electric service or in geographies where energy costs are very high.

Project: This project will determine if an unconventional solution using off-the-shelf materials is robust and cost effective enough for farmers to implement through a pilot test. The pilot testing would determine the system’s ability to meet the cooling load, evaluate the system’s economics, and determine maintenance needs and longevity. ACEP has most of the components in-hand and has conducted preliminary testing for an off-grid configuration. Additional testing of components and establishment of data collection methods will be required, as well as deployment, data collection, and analysis of the system.

Relevant Majors and Skills: Interns can come from any field but should be excited to use and learn hands-on instrumentation and data analysis skills.

Work Setting: There will be a mix of desk, lab and field work. This internship will require assembling components using basic tools, determining and ordering any additional components required, performing field set-up and testing, communication with outside project partners and contractors, data collection and analysis, and report writing, all with mentor help and supervision. The work location will be in-person in Anchorage at the University of Alaska Anchorage, with field work on the road system in Southcentral Alaska.

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Work Setting: Desk work; Lab work; Field work; Prototype work

Travel: Potential road system travel

Mentor: In-person

Mentor: Michelle Wilber

Location: Anchorage (housing not provided)

Key Themes: electric vehicles, social science, statistics, surveys, community engagement

Background: Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in the United States in response to improving technology, lower costs, increasing EV infrastructure, and policy incentives. In Alaska, EV ownership has more than doubled in the last five years. EVs have a strong foothold in Southeast Alaska, especially in Juneau, where there is relatively inexpensive electricity produced by hydropower. The EV market is now expanding into Southcentral and Interior Alaska. However, gaps remain in our understanding of how to further encourage the transition in vehicles, from traditional combustion engines, to EVs, throughout Alaska and how this transition might impact communities.

ACEP’s Beneficial and Equitable Electrification research initiative seeks to understand the electrification of currently or previously non-electrified energy loads, such as transportation and heating, in order to harness local, sustainable, and cost-effective energy resources for all. ACEP is part of a three year EV infrastructure project to deploy charging stations in rural communities in Alaska that are underserved by current transportation electrification efforts. ACEP’s role is data collection and analysis to ensure that deployments are successful, to verify charging station performance, and to research the success of the project on meeting federal Justice40 goals.

Project: This internship will involve the collection of data relevant to EV charging infrastructure deployment in rural communities in Alaska, including socioeconomic and energy data, and to organize and package the data to be usable by a statewide team to help make decisions on EV charging infrastructure deployment. The intern will design a survey to be used in conjunction with EV charging station deployment to determine the impacts of charging stations on populations and communities in Alaska. Although charging stations funded by this project will not be deployed until subsequent years, trial runs of the survey may be tested at existing charging stations in the state. This survey may be deployed remotely via posted QR codes on the charging stations and in person via intercept surveys (where the intern will travel to the charging station and directly ask users to answer survey questions). The intern will also help determine what energy data will be able to be collected from deployed EV charging stations and what future analysis this will allow.

Relevant Majors and Skills: This project is ideal for a variety of majors, with an interest in the energy transition, statistical methods, and/or social sciences. A student with lived experience in rural Alaska is preferred but not required.

Work Setting: The majority of this work will be desk work with some engagement with the general public during survey section of the project.

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Work Setting: Desk work; Community engagement

Travel: None

Mentor: In-person