Problem Curation Workshop Helps Identify �ֻ�ֱ�� Energy Focus Areas

On Aug. 28 and 29, ACEP's Gwen Holdmann, Mariko Shirazi, Nickole Conley, Tom Marsik and George Roe joined stakeholders from multiple �ֻ�ֱ�� energy sectors for a problem-curation workshop. Three representatives from the BMNT company facilitated. Participants brought energy-related challenges important to their organizations’ work. They used BMNT’s tools to help them understand key issues, describe the most desirable outcomes and select near-term actions. NANA Development Corp. donated use of its Anchorage facility for the workshop.

Workshop results will help shape the focus areas and objectives for a new five-year program that will be proposed for funding by the Office of Naval Research. This effort, the �ֻ�ֱ�� Regional Collaboration for Technology Innovation and Commercialization (ARCTIC), will seek to enhance the sustainability of �ֻ�ֱ�� communities by building capacity across a wide range of human and technological dimensions. The ARCTIC team draws from ACEP, the Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship, the Center for Economic Development, Launch �ֻ�ֱ��, and the Renewable Energy �ֻ�ֱ�� Project.

Workshop participants gain new "lenses" for seeing the challenges they face. Photo by George Roe/ACEP.