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Gwen Holdmann named ACEP chief scientist

April 23, 2025

Gwen Holdmann is no stranger to Alaska’s most remote energy frontiers. Before earning her Ph.D., she led development of the only geothermal power plant in the state at Chena Hot Springs.

Holdmann started out designing and building energy systems.

“But I’ve always been deeply motivated by the question of how we can help rural communities move toward greater energy self-sufficiency using local resources,” she said.

That question became the heart of her dissertation, which explored energy burden, resource pooling and innovation across Alaska’s decentralized utility landscape.

People are often surprised to learn how much innovation is happening in rural Alaska. She points out that rural ������appis a hotbed for everything from high-penetration renewable systems to advanced metering infrastructure and creative utility rate design.

“It’s a dynamic, niche innovation ecosystem — and one that’s often overlooked. I want to shine a light on that story,” she said.

Currently transitioning into a new role as ACEP’s chief scientist, Holdmann will continue her focus on rural energy systems alongside a dedicated team of researchers.

Her work complements efforts from colleagues across ACEP: Steve Colt, Michelle Wilber and Shivani Bhagat’s analysis of Power Cost Equalization and renewables in rural Alaska; leadership on community engagement and innovation ecosystems; Dominique Pride’s work on electric-thermal energy storage and heat pump modeling; Shivani Bhagat’s work on community solar projects and Magnus de Witt’s work on comparative analysis across Arctic energy systems.

Together, these efforts are helping shape policies and technologies that support local decision-making and sustainable heat and power systems in cold regions.

Beyond research, Holdmann is a passionate science communicator. She writes regular Sunday energy features for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and other publications, such as a recent one on , and hosts the podcast , which explores the history, policy and science behind our energy systems in an accessible and engaging way.

“One of the most important parts of my work is making energy concepts understandable — and meaningful — to the public and to the communities we serve,” she said. “That’s where real change starts.”