Project Description

Feasibility and development projects for hydrokinetic devices, which utilize kinetic energy from flowing river and tidal water to turn a turbine to generate electricity, are being conducted in several places to reduce reliance on diesel fuel and produce clean energy. However, impacts of hydrokinetic turbines on fishes are poorly understood. To assess the impacts of hydrokinetic turbines on fishes, we are conducting research in several locations, ranging from baseline research to describe fish communities to sophisticated modeling to predict fish behavior and collision risk around turbines. This research is occurring in both rivers and the ocean, and uses several research tools ranging from simple capture to acoustic tagging of fishes to improve the understanding of potential and realized impacts of turbines on the surrounding environment.

Project Funding

Alaska Center for Energy and Power, Alaska Energy Authority, Alaska Power and Telephone, Denali Commission, Ocean Renewable Power Company, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Start Date: 0000-00-00
End Date: 0000-00-00

 

 

 

Research Team