The UAA School of Engineering has a number of active research programs in the area of renewable energy with a particular focus on hydrokinetic energy, hydropower, and wind power. In the area of hydrokinetic energy, UAA is conducting an Alaska-wide and a United States-wide assessment of the hydrokinetic energy potential (PI: Tom Ravens).  The Alaska-wide project focuses on hydrokinetic energy available to rural villages located on the major rivers of Alaska.  In the US-wide project, we are estimating the practically recoverable resource in the major US rivers in addition to the potential resource. In both projects, we are also addressing the impact of the deployment of hydrokinetic devices on the flow, water level, and sediment transport. In a third hydrokinetic project, we are working with a hydrokinetic energy company (Ocean Renewable Power Corporation) to test critical device components in a laboratory flume. In particular, we are examining the impact of suspended sediments on critical device components (e.g., bearings and seals). PI’s on the flume study include: Tom Ravens, Muhammad Ali, and Todd Petersen.

The School of Engineering (PI’s: Orson Smith, Jeffry Welker, and John Bean) is conducting active research in the area of small-scale hydropower. A major point of focus for this effort centers on the development of the "Girdwood Renewable Energy Research and Discovery Center". Related projects include: the California Creek hydropower feasibility study (with Alaska Green Energy, funded by Alaska Energy Authority); and hydropower feasibility studies at Crow, Alyeska, and Virgin Creeks (in partnership with Alyeska Resort, Sustainable Girdwood, Girdwood 2020, The Municipality of Anchorage, and local property owners).

In the area of wind power, the School of Engineering is focusing on Cold Weather Wind Turbine Operation through a project entitled: "Making Wind Work for Alaska" (SOE PI: Matt Cullin). Cold climate wind turbine operation presents a multitude of complex technical challenges.  The most significant impediments to cold weather wind power applications have been identified by turbine end-users and will be addressed by this research undertaking.  A comprehensive analysis of wind turbine icing will be performed to determine the effects of ice accumulation on the turbine structure.  An analysis of the foundation structure will also be performed in order to better quantify the unique requirements of cold climate construction and operation, and to optimize foundation designs as a way to reduce costs.  Additionally, the framework for cold climate turbine certification will be established.  These standards will help catalyze the development of cold weather specific turbines by providing manufactures with definitive design specifications.