Welcome to Chena Hot Springs Geothermal Projects
Chena Hot Spring's vision is to become a self-sufficient community in terms of energy, food, heating and fuel use to the greatest extent possible. To attain this goal, Chena is developing numerous renewable energy and sustainable development projects which are detailed in this website. Chena is also forming partnerships within our community and across the U.S. to promote and implement renewable technologies.
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The 400kW Chena Hot Springs geothermal power plant, designed and built by United Technologies Corporation, is the first geothermal power plant in Alaska. The plant was brought online in July 2006 and is pushing the envelope for low temperature power generation. |
A joint Chena Hot Springs and Department of Energy project to explore the deep geothermal resource at Chena Hot Springs. The initial assessment has been completed, and we are hoping to move on to Phase II in 2008. |
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| Ice Museum and Absorption Chiller | Greenhouses and Gardens | |
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Chena Hot Springs is the home of the Aurora Ice Museum, the first year-round ice structure in the world. The Museum is cooled by the only geothermally operated absorption chiller in the world. |
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December 14th, 2007 Chena Hot Springs awarded NSF grant to support hydrogen research Chena Hot Springs was recently awarded a $100,000 grant through the NSF Small Business Innovation Program. This grant will support ongoing work at Chena on hydrogen production and use, as well planning for possible future initiatives. Chena is currently working on a project to generate hydrogen to mix with propane, which is currently used onsite for cooking and clothes drying. For more information on Chena's hydrogen project, click here.
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October 18th, 2007 Chena Hot Springs geothermal power plant wins an R&D 100 Award Chena Hot Springs and UTC are joint recipients of a 2007 R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine and the Department of Energy. These awards are given to the 100 top research and development breakthroughs in the country, across all disciplines. Bernie and Connie Karl, along with Gwen Holdmann, traveled to Chicago to receive the award along with Bruce Biederman and Joost Brasz representing UTC. The awards ceremony was held in the Grand Ballroom of Chicago's Navy Pier. For general information on the R&D 100 Awards, click here. Click here for more details on Chena's award
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June 25th, 2007 Chena Hot Springs power plant back online after fire
After suffering a fire in the building that houses the geothermal power plant on May 10th, 2007 which was caused by welding sparks, the plant was shut down to repair damage to control and electric wiring. ORC2 is now back online at full capacity, and ORC1 is expected to be operating within the next 10 days. For more information on the power plant and to see pictures, click here.
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June 15th, 2007 Chena Hot Springs is hosting the 2nd Annual Chena Renewable Energy Fair on August 18th
The theme for the 2007 Fair is: From Hot Water to Hydrogen, and the event will mark the ground breaking of the first hydrogen fueling station in Alaska. Join us at Chena Hot Springs on August 18th for a day of tours, presentation, and free food with activities for the whole family. Transportation is free via shuttle bus from Fairbanks! For more information, click here.
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