Westinghouse Technology Visits the Far Northern Frontier for Alaska's Annual Sustainable Energy Conference

Westinghouse Showcases eVinci® Microreactor and Long Duration Energy Storage Solutions to U.S. Leadership at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference

Westinghouse lit up the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference earlier this month with our eVinci® Microreactor and Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) solutions gaining the attention of VIP attendees, including Alaska's governor and the U.S. Energy secretary. 

Lighting Up America, one Microreactor at a Time

Our Vice President of eVinci Technologies, Leah Crider, presented our eVinci microreactor technology and participated in a Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored roundtable, led by the Governor of Alaska, Mike Dunleavy, with Chris Wright, United States Secretary of Energy, and Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior.

"Meeting with Governor Dunleavy and Secretary Wright provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the advantages and potential of the eVinci microreactor for Alaska," said Leah. “Conferences like this one give us the chance to enrich our partnerships with U.S. leaders and DOE who support our ongoing nuclear projects.”

Wrapping up the event, Leah participated on a panel on how public policies can accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear power, specifically Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor.

While the conference took place, we announced that the eVinci microreactor became the first microreactor to receive approval for its Preliminary Safety Design Report (PSDR), an important milestone to site an eVinci test reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory. With this approval, Westinghouse’s microreactor is one step closer to testing and eventual commercial operation.

This approval allows us to proceed with the next submission necessary for siting the test reactor: the Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis (PDSA).

Energy Storage Takes Center Stage

Westinghouse Energy Storage took center stage at the conference during the Building Out Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) for Alaska panel. John Battaglini, Vice President of Westinghouse New Market Development & Sales for Americas, participated in an interactive discussion to explore the potential for continued development of LDES technologies in Alaska.

“This was a fantastic conference to discuss our energy solutions for the Alaskan market,” said John. “The LDES market in Alaska is incredibly unique, and having the opportunity to meet with so many high-level leaders showcased how well Westinghouse is equipped to bring our LDES technology to the region.”

John highlighted how Westinghouse’s current LDES Pumped Thermal Energy Storage solution delivers flexible energy storage while improving the resiliency and cost-effectiveness of Alaska’s uniquely challenged grid and generation landscape.

       
John Battaglini showcasing our LDES solutions at our booth exhibit.

In 2023, Westinghouse’s 1.2 GWh long duration energy storage solution was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to support the Railbelt region in Alaska. As the largest planned installation of its kind in the U.S., the system will demonstrate how the technology offers many benefits including local and regional grid resiliency for industrial and military customers as well as ancillary services such as frequency regulation and spinning reserve. It also enables the broader deployment of renewables and optimization of existing fossil assets.

During the conference, our Energy Storage team met with a representative from the Alaska Center for Energy and Power to talk more about our current projects in Alaska.

Westinghouse is dedicated to the future deployment of eVinci microreactors and long duration energy storage solutions, enhancing the energy sector for Alaska, the United States and internationally.

Learn more about the eVinci microreactor here and our Energy Storage here.

Image caption: Westinghouse team members with Representative Maxine Dibert of Fairbanks Alaska.