Kake turns to biomass heating for cheaper energy

SITKA, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska island village plans to use an advanced version of an ancient renewable energy system to lower its high energy costs.

The village of Kake wants to build a biomass district heating system to warm its public buildings while saving the community nearly $100,000 annually in energy costs, Alaska’s Energy Desk reported Tuesday.

Kake was awarded a federal Department of Agriculture grant to design its biomass system. The village is now seeking funding.

The system planned for Kake, on Kupreanof Island south of Juneau, would use sensors and multiple chambers to burn wood e...