Speaker: Prof. June Lukuyu from University of Washington, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Title: Aligning Decentralized Rural Electrification with Community Priorities
This seminar is cosponsored by the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP).
As decentralized energy solutions like mini-grids and standalone systems gain prominence in rural electrification planning efforts internationally, challenges remain in aligning these technologies with community priorities, ensuring sustainable demand growth, and reducing high system costs. This talk presents a participatory, community-driven model for rural electrification that centers local needs and participation, offering an alternative to conventional technology-first approaches. Drawing from ongoing collaborative research with a growing team of scholars and practitioners, I will outline strategies for integrating participatory demand estimation , flexible system design, and cooperative governance models. The talk will also highlight innovative tools such as gamification-based demand estimation, which supports more inclusive planning by actively engaging communities in articulating their energy aspirations.
Past Events
- 2025 Spring Seminar Series: Community Co-Development of Hydrokinetic Energy In Galena, AK, Online, 10 April 2025 22:00-23:00 UTC