ORPC plans to install Alaska river turbine

Ocean Renewable Power Co. has completed testing of its in-river turbine power generation system in Maine and plans to start testing the system in Alaska this summer, the company announced March 18. Known as a hydrokinetic system, the device works something like an underwater windmill, using the natural flow of a river to turn a turbine and hence generate electricity. Devices of this type could become energy sources for rural villages, ORPC said.

The plan is to ship the device to Anchorage in June and then install the device in the Kvichak River at the village of Igiugig at the southern end of Lake Iliamna, the company said.

“We couldn't be more excited to be working with the Village of Igiugig, the Denali Commission, Alaska Energy Authority and our 49 partners and contractors throughout the state, including the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and Anchorage, to launch ORPC's first project here,” said Doug Johnson, ORPC’s director of business development for Alaska.

ORPC, in conjunction with Homer Electric Association, has been planning the trial implementation of an in-current generation system using Cook Inlet tidal currents at East Foreland on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula, with power from that system feeding into the Railbelt power grid. However, the company is also very interested in pursuing the possibility of using in-river systems for rural energy supplies.

The company had originally hoped to carry out a pilot project in the Tanana River near the village of Nenana in Alaska’s Interior. But, after discovering significant problems associated with silt and debris in the Tanana, the company decided to test its system at Igiugig instead.

“Igiugig has discussed hydrokinetic potential for the last decade. We are thrilled to finally deploy a device and work towards harnessing a reliable and renewable energy source,” said Igiugig Village Council president AlexAnna Salmon.

—Alan Bailey