Energy Audit Aims to Cut Costs for Commercial Fishermen
A new energy audit among Sitka commercial fishermen may help them improve their energy efficiency and , ultimately their profits , by cutting energy costs . While many variables such as prices paid for their fish is beyond control , fishermen can find ways to spend less on fuel and electricity .
Engineer Mike Gaffney was brought from Virginia to Sitka to help with the Fishing Vessel Energy Efficiency Project , a joint effort by the Alaska Longline Fishermen ’ s Association and the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation , aimed at energy and cost savings .
The audit begins with measuring specific fuel and electricity usage on working commercial fishing boats . It looks , for example , at the return on investment of replacing older sodium lights with LEDs . It ’ s the data , but also incredible insights that make the project unique .
Chandler Kemp is an engineer based in Sitka , compiling all of Gaffney ’ s data and writing up reports for the 18 vessels that volunteered for the audit . Kemp says the end goal is an online tool for fishermen .
The tool , which Kemp expects will be released in 2017 , will then generate ways to make the vessel more energy efficient , and for fishermen , that means more profitable .
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UAF Innovation Competition Recognizes Alaska Ideas and Creators
The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management ’ s annual Arctic Innovation Competition provides cash prizes and recognition for innovative ideas that can change the world in Alaska and beyond . The competition was launched by Dr . Ping Lan in 2009 .
The results are in for UAF ’ s 8th annual Arctic Innovation Competition . Competitors pitched innovative and creative ideas to judges to win over $ 28,000 in prizes .
Vincent Castro and Eric Solie won first place and $ 10,000 with Attently , a cloud-based software service . Attently utilizes a video feed from a standard webcam or cellphone camera , calculating both the number of faces in view and the percentage of those faces which are actively paying attention in the direction of the camera .
Second place and $ 5000 went to Shalane Frost for The NoseHat , a malleable nose and cheek cover for use during outdoor recreation in winter . It is ergonomically designed to fit any face shape or nose size , while allowing unobstructed breathing during vigorous activities like Nordic skiing . This idea also won the Main Division Fan Favorite Award .
Laura Oden , Celia Crossett & Ayla Rogers won Third place and $ 2000 for Footwear for Unique Feet , shoes designed specifically for people with medical conditions that cause swollen feet . The shoes will expand on one foot , or on both feet , and the expansion is designed in unique areas to correspond with the true needs of this population . This idea also won the Alaska College Student Kicker award .
Fourth Place and $ 1000 went to Justina Beagnyam for RecycleMe Burial Wrap . The burial wraps are a unique , ecologically beneficial product grown from microorganisms . This beautifully designed , 100 % biodegradable material is capable of concealing odors and supporting accelerated decomposition . Additional Kicker Prizes awarded include : Arctic Kicker prize and $ 2,000 went to David Brannan & Dawson Brannan for their Vertical Center Supports for Heavily Insulated Arctic Doors , which save businesses and organizations money on their heating bill by allowing thicker , more heavily insulated , and structurally sound doors to be installed in large buildings in Arctic regions .
Recycling Kicker prize and $ 2,000 went to Harrison DeSanto , Andrew Ladd & Nathan Bauer for Activate Alaska LLC , which is a local project to manufacture activated carbon , derived from Alaska biomass for use in the growing markets of public , industrial , and consumer water filtration systems . To accomplish this , Activate Alaska LLC has developed processes and equipment that are patentable , and will produce activated carbon that can be competitively substituted for imported coconut-based activated carbon products .
For a complete list of winners , and information on entering future competitions , go to : http :// arcticinno . com /.
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32 January 2017