Alaskan startup Sitkana is pioneering small-scale hydropower installations designed for coastal regions and maritime vessels, harnessing energy from the ocean’s constant currents and tides. Unlike traditional large-scale clean energy projects, Sitkana’s technology targets localized and flexible energy capture, suitable for environments with limited open space and infrastructure.
The company is developing compact hydropower systems that can be installed on fishing boats and other maritime vessels. By utilizing the perpetual movement of ocean water, Sitkana aims to create a new, sustainable energy source. Their small-scale propellers can be easily affixed to boats, enabling them to generate power from tidal and current flows.
Addressing Seasonal Energy Challenges in Alaska
Alaska faces significant fluctuations in energy supply and demand due to its extreme weather and geographical conditions. During summer, increased demand for cooling drives up electricity use, while the supply of renewable energy—primarily from hydropower and wind—drops. Hydropower relies on snowmelt and river flow, which are abundant in spring but wane as summer progresses. Similarly, wind power generation diminishes in summer when wind patterns are less favorable. Although solar energy potential increases during summer, Alaska’s high latitude means its solar capacity remains relatively low compared to temperate regions.
To manage these fluctuations, robust energy storage and grid management solutions are essential. Diversifying energy sources is crucial to ensuring a stable supply throughout the year. Sitkana’s innovative approach to small-scale hydropower could play a key role in addressing these challenges.
Sitkana’s Hydropower Solutions
Sitkana’s hydropower systems include the Chinook and Orca models. The Chinook, a 6×3-foot, 100-pound propeller, is designed for deployment in tidal currents from smaller boats. The larger Orca system features a 12-foot platform equipped with up to six propellers, optimizing energy capture from ocean currents.
The company is collaborating with Sandia National Laboratories to advance its technology. Sitkana was awarded part of a $7.4 million grant from the Department of Energy to support this development.
Innovative Software for Energy Optimization
In addition to hardware, Sitkana provides free, open-source software that analyzes regional currents and power potential. This tool assists users in identifying optimal locations for energy production, further enhancing the efficiency of their systems.
Sitkana’s small-scale hydropower technology offers a promising solution for offsetting seasonal drops in traditional renewable energy sources. By tapping into maritime energy resources, Sitkana is contributing to a more resilient and diverse clean energy landscape, turning modest innovations into powerful clean energy solutions.