ACEP’s Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site on the Tanana River is used to test hydrokinetic
power-generating devices, related technologies, and to characterize the river
environment under realistic Alaska river conditions.

Researchers and industrial clients can use the test site to assess interaction between hydrokinetic devices and the environment in a controlled fashion at a well characterized site. Examples include fish interactions, debris management, turbine placement, hydrodynamic analysis, sediment transport and icing. Information collected from these studies is also used by permitting agencies to inform and streamline their decision making process.

• AHERC’s Tanana River Test Site is an ideal location for testing hydrokinetic power generating devices.
• Potential deployment locations have been identified based on river  velocity, bathymetry, sediment transport, hydro-dynamics, power density and turbulence.
• Mandatory baseline fish stock studies have been completed for the site.
• Demonstrated technology to divert surface woody debris, a major impediment of operating devices in Alaska, is available to all users; A prototype for protecting devices from subsurface debris is in development.
• The site’s anchored mooring system, located mid-channel, supports a floating platform able to secure a load up to 50,000 pounds.
• AHERC has various imaging devices in its inventory, including:
  • Blue View P900-2250-45 imaging sonar
  • Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler
  • Simrad EK60 split beam sonar  (120 kHz)
  • Novatel RTK/L1 positioning system (20 cm accuracy)
• All required permits are secured.  Placement of turbines in river is subject to final regulatory review.

Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site Rate (per day) $5,021