Hydrokinetic devices take advantage of moving water to power turbines, in a similar way to windmills that use moving air. Alaska has significant potential for hydrokinetic development in both rivers and tidal basins. Most inland communities in Alaska are situated along navigable waterways that could host hydrokinetic installations, and Alaska, with 90% of the total U.S. tidal energy resource, is home to some of the best tidal energy resources in the world. These resources, along with the high cost of energy in many of our communities, positions Alaska as a potential leader in the development of hydrokinetic energy.
 

The image at right shows depth profiling of the Tanana River near Nenana as part of AHERC’s in-river hydrokinetic research program.

While there are obvious opportunities, there are also significant challenges related to the deployment of hydrokinetic devices in Alaska ’s waters. For example, the performance of these devices, their potential environmental impacts, and their applicability in challenging Alaskan conditions (including ice interaction) remain largely unknown.

Despite these challenges, the technology is developing rapidly and hydrokinetic energy is on the cusp of becoming a viable commercial technology. At this time, a number of companies are actively involved in designing pilot projects. With its vast resources, Alaska is of considerable interest to developers, and the first in-river hydrokinetic turbine in the U.S. was installed in Alaska in 2008. It is a 5 kW device developed by New Energy, and was installed for a period of 1 month near the community of Ruby. Other projects are planned, including a 100 kW UEK turbine in Eagle to be installed in 2009, and an ORPC Cook Inlet tidal energy project planned for 2010. Several other projects are still on the drawing board at locations around the state.

To further the development of hydrokinetic technology for the benefit of Alaskan communities, the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) has established the Alaska Hydrokinetic Energy Test Center (AHERC). AHERC is a partnership between ACEP and other entities involved in hydrokinetic research and projects, including the Alaska Energy Authority, the University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Yukon River Inter-tribal Watershed Council, and the Nenana City and Tribal Councils with the purpose of sharing resources and information related to hydrokinetic power generation, including tidal and in-river hydro.

The main purpose of AHERC is to assist industry in bringing these technologies into wider use in a more efficient manner while ensuring potential environmental impacts are minimized.

AHERC will conduct and support work in the following areas:

• Tidal and river run resource assessment
• Tidal and river run environmental assessment
  (including fish and marine mammal studies, ice interactions, debris, sedimentation, etc.)
• Hydrokinetic device testing/performance standards development
• Hydrokinetic device and power plant development
• Independent power system/grid interconnection methods
• Site navigation issues
• Assistance to commercial developers
• Community outreach and knowledge clearinghouse
   

For more information please contact:

Jerome B. Johnson, Ph.D
Research Professor
Institute of Northern Engineering
PO Box 755910
Fairbanks, AK 99775-5910
(907) 474-1986 (office)
(907) 474-7041 (fax)
email: jbjohnson5@alaska.edu