Tanana River Test Site Update
Oceana Energy successfully deployed their in-river turbine at ACEP's Tanana River Test Site (TRTS) in September 2014. The Oceana team has returned to Alaska to utilize the Tanana River Test Site operated by AHERC for another season of testing for several weeks during the summer of 2015. The following update is a summary of AHERC’s recent preparation work at the site.
June 15 to 23, 2015
The River Debris Diversion Platform (RDDP) was launched and fish sample collection and analysis began.
- Fish species data collection required by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) began this week. Fish are sampled from behind the Murdock Trust barge where Oceana's turbine will operate in the Tanana River.
- The RDDP was readied for launching and deployed after being attached to the anchor buoy.
- Work on assembling the barge's shelter was begun.
June 24 to July 1, 2015
Additional construction on the Murdock Trust Barge took place and more equipment was transported to the TRTS.
- The shelter was firmly bolted to the deck of the Murdock Trust Barge and hydraulic lines and winches on the barge were inspected and repaired as needed.
- Hand rails were transported to and installed on the barge as well as the truss system that will allow the Oceana turbine to lower into and raise out of the Tanana River.
AHERC's Munson boat along with a jon boat that will function as the sonar system operations platform was transported to the TRTS in preparation of the coming testing with Oceana set to begin on July 6th.
View the printed version of the update .
Photo: AHERC researcher Jack Schmid prepares the RDDP for launching into the Tanana River at the TRTS. Photo courtesy N. Konefal, ACEP/UAF.