Two experts offer insight on Alaska tidal energy at Wednesday discussion

Wednesday, May 13, 6-8 p.m.
UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307

With some of the most robust tidal energy resources in the world, Alaska has the potential to be a leader in developing tidal energy. Come and hear what two tidal hydrokinetic experts from Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) have to say about tidal energy in Alaska.

D. Douglas Johnson is the ORPC director of Alaska projects with 25 years of experience in project management. Monty Worthington has 10 years experience in the renewable energy field and has been working for the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council on their hydrokinetic turbine installation and for ORPC as their Alaska projects manager.

Cook Inlet, North America's second largest tidal range, has attracted interest as an energy source for the Railbelt. ORPC obtained a permit in 2008 to begin development of a demonstration project, with plans to begin the construction of the first commercial power plant in 2012.

Alaska's River In-Stream Hydrokinetic site is located on the Tanana River at Nenana. In addition to plans to develop the site for commercial power production, ORPC has partnered with the Alaska Center for Energy and Power to develop a hydrokinetic test bed at this site, to research environmental and technological aspects of River In-Stream Hydrokinetic devices.

For more information, visit www.REalaska.org or call (907) 929-7770.