Marine energy is still a developing field, where a variety of different technologies are being considered to harvest energy from ocean waves, tides, currents and rivers. Marine hydrokinetic technology (MHK) refers to “in-water” technology that extracts energy without significantly disrupting the flow. The ability to produce renewable energy from moving water in oceans and rivers is of interest to residents of coastal and river communities aiming to increase their energy independence and reduce fossil fuel usage. In order to be able to make informed decisions regarding future community energy planning, marine resource assessments are needed to quantify the amount of available energy at sites being considered for MHK development. Testing of MHK is needed to ensure full functionality before installation in a remote community.

This intensive will provide an in-depth introduction to data collection techniques used to conduct a marine energy resource assessment, and hands-on experience observing the testing of MHK at a river testing facility operated by UAF in Nenana, the Tanana River Test Site (TRTS). This course also covers respectful community engagement, following the UAF Guiding Principles for collaborating with Alaska Native indigenous communities.