GreenFire Energy selected for Launch Alaska portfolio

Downtown Juneau, capital of Alaska (source: flickr/Kristin Myers Harvey, creative commons)

Carlo Cariaga 2 May 2024

Greenfire Energy has been selected for the Launch Alaska Portfolio, joining a group of 41 companies that are deploying climate-friendly energy, industry, and transportation technologies in Alaska and beyond. This comes after GreenFire Energy completing the eight-month Tech Deployment Track program and building relationships with Alaska partners on potential projects in the state.

Founded in 2016, Launch Alaska is an Anchorage-based nonprofit focused on accelerating climate tech deployment to decarbonize systems of energy, transportation, and industry. The non-profit offers a Tech Deployment Track, a Deployment Team, and policy and advocacy effort. By connecting climate tech companies, Launch Alaska aims to catalyze Alaska’s clean energy economy.

The Tech Deployment Track is an eight-month accelerator program to help companies forge partnerships to identify projects. Successful companies are then invited to join the Launch Alaska Portfolio where they receive continued support and connections to project opportunities in Alaska.

GreenFire Energy is aiming to develop geothermal energy projects in Alaska primarily by deploying the GreenLoop technology. This is a versatile, closed-loop Advanced Geothermal System (AGS) technology that enables the creation of tailored solutions for geothermal operators and energy-intensive companies. GreenLoop solutions offer a stable and predictable cost of energy while providing a valuable mix of power and direct use heating and cooling.

Sitting on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Alaska is rich with geothermal resources, particularly in the southern volcanic regions as well as other regional hot spring areas. Alaska’s first geothermal power plant at Chena Hot Spring generates 730 kW, but much of Alaska’s accessible geothermal resources have not yet been developed. Given Alaska’s unique energy market, there is great interest in further development for both localized direct-use and electrical power generation.

“Affordable, reliable energy solutions are key to creating thriving communities and a prosperous Alaska economy,” said Isaac Vanderburg, Launch Alaska CEO. “We look forward to supporting GreenFire Energy’s work in Alaska, and we’re excited to see how GreenLoop technology can benefit Alaskans around the state.”

“GreenFire Energy greatly appreciates the opportunity to progress through the Launch Alaska cleantech accelerator program. Through this program, we have made valuable connections and uncovered many new opportunities, and we look forward to pursuing a variety of geothermal energy projects and deployments that will benefit the state of Alaska at all levels,” said Randy Balik, Co-Founder, GreenFire Energy Inc.

Source: Email correspondence