Energy Leadership Accelerator (ELA) Program
Empowering Local Energy Leaders in Remote, Islanded Communities
Who We Are
ELA invests in local leaders who envision and execute emerging energy technology projects in remote, islanded communities for increased local workforce development and resilient energy futures
With funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), we support inclusive experiential learning opportunities that provide cohorts of diverse learners with the skills needed to succeed in emerging technology fields
The Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) are partnering to deliver this program
Bring your energy initiatives for local communities to ELA
Example projects could include:
- Implementing an emerging energy technology for your community.
- Conducting an analysis of different financing models for your local energy projects.
- Developing an engagement strategy to navigate complex local energy regulations.
- Envisioning the O&M roles and responsibilities for emerging energy technologies.
Join this community of innovative energy leaders if you
- Are from remote, islanded US communities, including Alaska, Hawai'i, Puerto Rico, and other US territories in the Caribbean and the Pacific
- Demonstrate entrepreneurship and openness to innovation and change
- Can inform action related to energy and regional economies
- Have a clear vision and plan for a community energy initiative at local governments, tribes, utility companies, project developers, or other community-based organizations
- Face barriers to accessing professional development or networking opportunities
- Are at the intersection of strategy and implementation with the need for a skilled and localized workforce
Benefiting from a program designed for you
- Cohort-Based Learning: Join a diverse cohort of energy champions for experiential learning and peer mentorship
- Access to Expertise: Gain insights from subject matter experts and researchers in resilient and renewable energy systems
- Hands-On Experience: Participate in innovative remote microgrid projects and fieldwork
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry professionals, community leaders, and fellow participants to build lasting relationships
- Professional Development: Enhance your leadership and technical skills through applied learning
- Impact: Make sustainable contributions for your community’s unique energy resilience needs
Embark on an experiential learning journey with ELA
A new professional development program with six-month virtual learning (January-June 2025) and two-week in-person learning in Alaska (May 2025)
Components
- Virtual Learning: six-month engagement focused on community building, targeted learning, and experience sharing
- Alaska Leadership Lab: two weeks in Alaska to contextualize your learning through renewable energy on-sites and conversations with the community leaders who built them
- Capstone Project: Advance a specific real need and implement the learnings in real time
- Peer Network: Peer collaborations across experience levels, content, cultures, and regions. We will have both first time participants and alumni participants from the ARENA program and RMI Caribbean Fellowship.
- Expert Engagement: Expert dialogues and coaching sessions to help navigate complex energy challenges
Express your interest now
More information coming this summer. Recruitment launching in September.
Scan to fill out the interest form https://forms.office.com/r/t7c2gASsCt
For inquiries, please contact Pintian Chen at pchen@rmi.org or Annalise Klein at asklein@alaska.edu.
