HomeMy WebLinkAboutOcean And River Program 06-15-2016-H
Ocean and River Program
Ocean energy is divided into in-stream, tidal, and wave energy. In-stream and tidal energy
technology consists of many designs, but all convert the kinetic energy of the flowing water into
electricity, most using some type of turbine.
Turbine designs range from underwater wind turbine-style, to vertical- or horizontal-axis cross-
flow turbines. As an emerging technology, wave energy conversion devices exist in a wide array
of designs aiming to convert wave energy into electricity. While not as consistent as the tides, the
amount of potential wave energy is frequently predictable days in advance.
River in-stream energy conversion (RISEC) devices work in a similar manner to tidal devices, but
generally on a smaller scale.
AEA’s ocean and river program works to identify and overcome barriers to the advancement and
deployment of hydrokinetic devices in Alaska.
Program Highlights:
Three device manufactures conducted device demonstrations of RISEC devices in the summer of
2014: Ocean Renewable Power Company, Oceana Energy Company, and Boschma Research, Inc.
With support from grants from AEA’s Emerging Energy Technology Fund, the three different
hydrokinetic devices were tested in the Kvichak and Tanana Rivers. The projects monitored power
production and fish interaction with the devices. Operational testing at the Kvichak site in Igiugig
was completed fall of 2015.
With assistance from a Renewable Energy Fund grant, the University of Alaska Anchorage has
completed a statewide hydrokinetic assessment which includes river power data collected from
thirty sites around the state. The University of Alaska Fairbanks continues development of a
surface debris diversion device, which has been successfully used for RISEC device testing at the
Tanana River test site at Nenana.
Current status:
Three river hydrokinetic demonstration projects awarded funding under AEA’s Emerging
Energy Technology Fund program have conducted field demonstrations of different devices in
the summer of 2014, and two extended into the summer of 2015.
AEA has also partnered with the False Pass Tidal Project and Yakutat Wave Project to support
resource assessments and with the Alaska Center for Energy and Power to develop debris
mitigation technology for river hydrokinetic devices.
Reviewed: June 15, 2016