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 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:

A 40 foot conex was placed at the Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site this past week while further equipment delivery was impeded due to heavy rainfall.  The site was supposed to take delivery of its ATCO office unit but the ground was deemed too soggy to allow delivery vehicles proper access to the location without risk of becoming stuck.

Despite the poor weather, researchers were able to download river stage data from a logger deployed in the Tanana River.  The water level was also surveyed to determine what the water level in the river was in comparison to an onshore monument.

More brush cutting and clearing took place as well to aid in the upcoming delivery of the 52 foot ATCO office trailer.

Photo: View of the heavy precipitation from ACEP’s own ATCO office units at the UAF campus in Fairbanks, 50 miles away from Nenana where the Tanana River Hydokinetic Test site is located.  Photo courtesy MFrey, ACEP/UAF.