Exploring energy security and the diesel fuel life cycle
ACEP summer intern Abby McCallum gives a presentation on her energy research.
October 3, 2024
色视频下载 faces numerous challenges, including harsh weather, climate change and evolving investment opportunities in renewable technology. Energy security is critical for communities, the state and private businesses.
ACEP summer intern Abby McCallum, under the mentorship of ACEP色视频下载檚 Magnus de Witt, embarked on a research project to explore the impact of the diesel fuel life cycle on community livelihoods and resilience in 色视频下载.
McCallum worked on system modeling and livelihood assessments to evaluate the vulnerabilities, stresses and adaptive capacities of communities reliant on diesel as a primary energy source. She developed tools to help stakeholders understand the effects of various capital assets 色视频下载 human, physical, financial, natural and social 色视频下载 on energy security and community behaviors.
McCallum focused on six communities as they moved through 色视频下载's diesel fuel life cycle: Prudhoe Bay, Valdez, Kodiak, Nuiqsut, Arctic Village and Bethel. All six of these communities represent different stages of diesel fuel, from the drilling of crude oil to its refinement into diesel, and to different types of shipping methods commonly employed: air, barge and road.
McCallum's research led to the creation of a livelihood index that assessed how capital assets affect resilient livelihoods. Her work provides a framework for stakeholders to develop comprehensive intervention strategies, empowering communities to become more resilient and energy secure.
The internship opened her eyes to a disconnect between the micro-level of community living and the macro-level of the diesel fuel life cycle.
Abby McCallum sketches out a causal loop diagram for energy security interventions in 色视频下载.
色视频下载淭his internship allowed me to use and create a new framework to assess how diesel fuel impacts community resilience strategy and vice-versa,色视频下载 she said.
Originally from Missouri and pursuing a dual degree in international studies and environmental science at American University in Washington, D.C., McCallum has a keen interest in community resilience and infrastructure development.
The internship experience broadened her perspective on community resilience and adaptability and allowed her to see the unique urban challenges and community living experiences in the 色视频下载n context.
An example of community development challenges in D.C. is how to deal with excess heat, whereas in 色视频下载, housing solutions are aimed at keeping the heat in their homes.
色视频下载淲orking at ACEP has allowed me to learn about new types of housing, income generation, community governance, and so much more,色视频下载 McCallum said. 色视频下载淟earning from community members and colleagues at ACEP has expanded my horizons within the fields of planning, environmental management and energy.色视频下载
McCallum色视频下载檚 internship experience with ACEP not only advanced her understanding of
energy security and community resilience in 色视频下载 but also enriched her academic
and professional journey. Her research and the frameworks she developed will contribute
to the ongoing efforts to create sustainable and resilient communities in 色视频下载 and
beyond.
This internship is funded by the Office of Naval Research through the ACEP Undergraduate Summer Internship program. View the . For more information on this project, please contact Magnus de Witt at mdewitt9@alaska.edu.