Hydrokinetic energy systems use the motion of water in waves and currents to produce electricity. These systems are placed directly into oceans and rivers, and do not require the construction and permitting of civil infrastructure like dams or diverters. The density of water and the predicability of rivers, tides, and waves makes for a dense and predictable resource relative to other renewables. While the hydrokinetic resource is vast, harnessing it is challenging. As technologies advance and improve, hydrokineticcs have the potential to become a relevant energy source for many applications.
Alaska contains vast hydrokinetic energy resources and remote energy needs. Alaska contains 60% of the nation’s wave energy resource, 90% of the nation’s tidal energy resource, and 40% of the nation’s river energy resource. The Alaska Center for Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is an applied research group focused on developing and demonstrating energy technologies relevant to Alaska applications, both remote microgrids and the road system electrical grid. Currently, efforts are underway to pilot technologies to harness tidal energy in Cook Inlet to meet Anchorage area energy needs and to harness riverine energy to power remote microgrid communities.
Steadier and more predictable than wind and solar, hydrokinetics have the potential to serve small scale remote loads like microgrid communities, mariculture, and remote instrumentation and communications systems. The scale of the resource also presents the potential for GW-scale development to meet urban energy needs or to produce exportable fuels. As technology and markets evolve, engagement with the established marine construction industry will be critical.
