ACAT continually strives to demonstrate how appropriate technology can promote sustainable economic development by diversifying Alaska's economy, encouraging self-sufficiency and protecting the environment. Our past projects include:

• Writing, compilation and editing of “Northern Comfort - Advanced Cold Climate Home Building Techniques" (ISBN 0-9636075-0-2, 1995), a manual on energy-efficient construction methods. For this project ACAT worked under contract to the Alaska Craftsman Home Program (1992-1993).
   
• An extensive research and development project produced a medium-density fiberboard (used in cabinets and countertops) made from 100% recycled wood and paper fiber. This project progressed from the conceptual stages, to development of a product for structural testing, to complete testing to ensure the product met all engineering standards, and finally to a feasibility study to determine whether a manufacturing plant would be appropriate in south-central Alaska (1993-1999).
   
• Development of a composting workshop at the Alaska Environmental Forum and a complementary guest-lecture series on vermi-composting by "Worm Expert" Mary Appelhof. Appelhof spoke not only at the Forum, but also to Master Gardener and teacher groups in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley (April 1999).
  
• A community composting project in the Butte area (1993-1996), where ACAT's project leader organized community volunteers to turn yard and other organic "wastes" (otherwise destined for the landfill) into valuable compost.
   
• Organizing and coordinating a tour of the first fuel cells ever installed in Alaska, at the National Guard Armory in Anchorage (February 1997).
   
• The first (and only, that we know of!) straw bale construction workshop in Alaska (August 1996).
   
• Energy efficient lighting, appliance and building design/construction displays at the Alaska State Fair (1992-1994).
   
• Preliminary architectural work to create a "concept design" for a large Center to demonstrate and educate about the role sustainability can play in healthy economic development (1996).
   
• Three "Trash-to-Treasure" conferences (1993, 1995, 1997), with participants from throughout Alaska, have highlighted what materials are currently considered 'trash,' how those materials might be recycled/remanufactured into saleable goods, and how local remanufacturing can diversify local economies.

• 2009 TECHNICAL SESSION FOR BUILDING AND RENEWABLE ENERGY PROFESSIONALS
  Presented by: Robert P. Lefevre, P.E., Electrical Electronics Engineering

  Mr. Lefevre is founder of R. Philips Technologies (www.rphilipstech.com), a company developing engineered systems to provide solar-powered hot water systems for space heating applications. His projects include a 4300 SF home in New Hampshire with no heating or cooling expenses since it was occupied in 2001. To date, he has designed six high performance residential homes of various architectural styles. He is currently working on a commercial project, a medical clinic and elderly housing in the city of Boston, MA using this innovative Thermal Systems Design approach.

  We invited Mr. Lefevre specifically to discuss use of large water tanks to store renewable energy for space heating applications. He will also discuss other aspects of solar home design and engineering

  This workshop changed the way Alaskans view thermal storage. You can download his ACAT presentation and his Design House Powerpoint presentation.