Habitat Conservation Division - Hydropower Program
Hydrokinetic Energy Projects
ORPC's Beta TidGen™ Power System. Photo: ORPC
Hydrokinetic power projects are similar to traditional hydropower projects but rather than storing, controlling or diverting the flow of water to take advantage of hydraulic head (potential energy), hydrokinetic projects use the density of water and harness kinetic energy from its motion. This motion includes waves, flowing rivers, and tides. Hydrokinetic power has limitations similar to run-of-river hydropower projects: the kinetic energy harnessed is dependent upon the kinetic energy available during tide cycles, wave periods, and river flows. Hydrokinetic projects in Alaska are currently at the pilot project development level for tidal projects and in-river hydrokinetic projects, though some wave projects have been investigated. NMFS's Habitat Conservation Division tracks the development of hydrokinetic projects and advises applicable agencies on ways to minimize adverse effects to anadromous and marine fish and marine mammals.
Alaska Hydrokinetic Projects:
Project Information
- NMFS correspondence on hydropower projects
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) (search by project code)
Yukon River hydrokinetic turbine near Ruby. Photo: Yukon River Inter-tribal Watershed Council
In-River
- Kvichak River-Igiugig (P-13511)
- Tanana River-Nenana (P-13233)
- Tanana River-Whitestone (P-13305)
- Yukon River-Eagle (P-13600)
- Yukon River-Ruby
Tidal
ORPC's Beta TidGen™ Power System on a mooring. Photo: ORPC
- Angoon Kootsnahoo Tidal Energy Project-Southeast Alaska (P-13823)
- Natural Currents Energy Services, LLC
- FERC Dismissal of Draft Pilot License Application, July 2009
- East Forelands Tidal Energy (P-13821)
- Fire Island Tidal Energy (P-12679)
- Pt. Clarence/Brevig Mission (P-13298)
- Turnagain Arm (P-13509)
