Energy Leadership Accelerator (ELA) Program
Designed for local energy champions who envision and execute emerging energy technology projects, ELA connects remote, islanded communities who are building resilient energy futures and local workforce.
Upcoming Opportunities
ELA 2026: Crosscurrents
Alaska x Guam • Hydrokinetics • Biomass • Energy Security Partnerships
ELA 2026: Crosscurrents will bring together 8-10 energy leaders in Alaska and Guam in shared energy leadership challenges and opportunities across remote, islanded systems with an emphasis on:
- Microgrids and rural energy systems
- Biomass, waste-to-energy, and emerging technologies
- Energy workforce development
- Cross-sector partnerships among communities, utilities, universities, and federal entities
ELA 2026 combines three months of interactive, virtual learning and a seven-day immersive Alaska Leadership Lab. The full program will run from June – August 2026, with an in-person gathering in Alaska (Fairbanks and Galena) in mid- to late August
Join this cohort if you:
- Live and work in Alaska or Guam or a member of the Alaska or Guam diaspora
- 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
Program Timeline
- April 17: Applications due
- End of April: Interviews and reference checks
- May 4: Select cohort
- June 8 - August 28: ELA 2026
- June - July: Virtual gatherings, online curriculum, project work
- Week of August 17: Alaska Leadership Lab in Fairbanks and Galena
ELA 2025: Founding Cohort
Remote & Islanded Microgrids • Emerging Energy Technology • Workforce Development
The ELA 2025: Founding Cohort gathered 20 energy fellows from Alaska, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawai’i, and mainland tribal communities to explore community-driven strategies for microgrid resilience and energy futures.
Over the course of six months, the fellows explored the key drivers that produce culturally and geographically appropriate energy resiliency solutions for their communities. The cohort participated in leadership coaching, virtual sessions on emerging technologies and energy workforce and a ten-day Alaska Leadership Lab that explored Alaska’s varied and innovative energy landscape with visits to Fairbanks, Kotzebue, Anchorage and Cordova.
This program was a collaboration between the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) and (RMI) and was generously supported by the National Science Foundation’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program.
Contact or questions
