Description:

This proposal concerns sustainable transportation in rural Alaskan communities which are not part of a road or electrical network (off grid). In most off-grid communities, the road networks generally are less than 50 square miles, so transportation needs are limited. This limited travel generally is done with "four-wheelers", an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). In the larger off-grid 'hub' communities such as Bethel, Nome, and Dillingham, commuting with cars and trucks are more common, with the average vehicle consuming between 4 and 12 gallons of fuel weekly. Thus, in rural Alaska, transportation fuel is a significant cost; for example, Winter 2008-09 fuel prices ranged between $6.40 to $8.00 per gallon. The annual cost could range between $2,000 to over $5,000. This is in addition to other fuel uses such as heating homes and snowmobile use. To address this cost issue, our project proposes to study the feasibility of converting non-running four-wheelers already in rural Alaska into transportation assets by removing the combustion engines and replacing them with electric motors.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:08/15/2010

Completion Date:08/14/2011

Record ID: 248920

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS

Mailing Address :Signers Hall

Citation :Fairbanks

State :AK

Zip Code :99775

Project Information:

Approach :

Alternative energy will power the Electric All Terrain Vehicles (EATVs) using a combination of wind and solar energy. Additionally, existing diesel power plants will be utilized during non-peak times. Challenges addressed by this study will be the efficiency of batteries, the velocity of an EV, and charging EVs so that they can be used daily (for short distances). Results will be assessed by setting up a pilot project in the rural community of Dillingham at the Bristol Bay Environmental Science Laboratory (BBESL) in cooperation with the University Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) College of Engineering and Mines (CEM). BBESL has been progressive in developing the technology for rural EV use in that it has initiated a sustainable energy program. In this program, a non-running Subaru Loyale was converted to an EV. A 4 kW solar voltaic system is currently installed on site and is grid connected. The major components for the electric four-wheeler study will be in place and can be tested. This project will complete an electric transportation system by engineering the system, testing components, and training local residents in maintenance.

Cost :$10,000.00

Research Component :Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Approach :

Alternative energy will power the Electric All Terrain Vehicles (EATVs) using a combination of wind and solar energy. Additionally, existing diesel power plants will be utilized during non-peak times. Challenges addressed by this study will be the efficiency of batteries, the velocity of an EV, and charging EVs so that they can be used daily (for short distances). Results will be assessed by setting up a pilot project in the rural community of Dillingham at the Bristol Bay Environmental Science Laboratory (BBESL) in cooperation with the University Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) College of Engineering and Mines (CEM). BBESL has been progressive in developing the technology for rural EV use in that it has initiated a sustainable energy program. In this program, a non-running Subaru Loyale was converted to an EV. A 4 kW solar voltaic system is currently installed on site and is grid connected. The major components for the electric four-wheeler study will be in place and can be tested. This project will complete an electric transportation system by engineering the system, testing components, and training local residents in maintenance.

Cost :$10,000.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Energy

Approach :

Alternative energy will power the Electric All Terrain Vehicles (EATVs) using a combination of wind and solar energy. Additionally, existing diesel power plants will be utilized during non-peak times. Challenges addressed by this study will be the efficiency of batteries, the velocity of an EV, and charging EVs so that they can be used daily (for short distances). Results will be assessed by setting up a pilot project in the rural community of Dillingham at the Bristol Bay Environmental Science Laboratory (BBESL) in cooperation with the University Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) College of Engineering and Mines (CEM). BBESL has been progressive in developing the technology for rural EV use in that it has initiated a sustainable energy program. In this program, a non-running Subaru Loyale was converted to an EV. A 4 kW solar voltaic system is currently installed on site and is grid connected. The major components for the electric four-wheeler study will be in place and can be tested. This project will complete an electric transportation system by engineering the system, testing components, and training local residents in maintenance.

Cost :$10,000.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Built Environment

Project IDs:

ID Code :SU834704

Project type :EPA Grant