AHERC at Work: Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site Update

Project Description:

AHERC’s Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site just outside of Nenana, Alaska, is playing host to a dramatic build out in the summer season of 2014.  The site is being upgraded with office facilities in the form of ATCO trailer units, power has been run to the location and a pontoon barge will be onsite to give hydrokinetic devices a platform on which to be tested in the river.  This effort is all taking place to support a busy testing season which will feature AHERC’s prototype debris diversion system and a hydrokinetic device owned by Oceana Energy Company being deployed into the Tanana River.

Project Update:

On July 26th the incline plane fish trap was struck by a large 50’ plus tree putting the fish trap temporarily out of commission. The tree became lodged in the incline plane, bending part or the frame and breaking two metal supports. For the size of the tree, the damage was minimal and the trap should be operational with one to two weeks.

Tuesday July 29th, members of the AHERC team traveled to the test site to perform multiple duties in preparation for August testing. While at the site, work was done to furnish and set up the new office and storage connexes.

With the fish trap out of commission and out of the water, the mooring line connecting the RDDP to the buoy was lengthened. A longer line was installed so that the RDDP is located further behind the buoy and out of the eddy caused by the buoy. This will help to reduce side to side movement of the RDDP and improve the effectiveness of deflecting river debris.

Photo: Deployed river debris diverter.  Photo courtesy N. Konefal, ACEP/UAF.