Researchers from the Alaska Hydrokinetic Energy Research Center (AHERC) have completed a bathymetry survey off Yakutat in Alaska to identify areas suitable for wave energy deployments.
AHERC research engineers Nick Konefal and Paul Duvoy conducted a 7-day bathymetry survey off Cannon Beach in Yakutat using a Reson 7125 multibeam sonar to map out the ocean floor and look for debris.
They surveyed an area of 15 km x 5 km to collect data that will, in addition to helping quantify the risks marine debris pose for a wave energy project in the region, also be used to identify areas where wave energy devices could be installed as Yakutat has a large wave energy resource.
The work was conducted as part of the US Department of Energy funded Advanced Laboratory and Field Arrays for Marine Energy (ALFA) project.
To remind, the report prepared by Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) found that the Yakutat area in Alaska possesses wave resource which is more than enough to satisfy its relatively modest electrical demand.
AHERC is part of ACEP, based at the University of Alaska, which is dedicated to applied energy research and testing with a focus on lowering the cost of energy throughout Alaska, and developing economic opportunities.