Alaska may be rich in energy resources, but many communities across the state struggle to keep the lights on due to extreme weather conditions, high energy prices, and difficulty accessing fuel resources in remote areas. However, Alaska doesn’t just have abundant oil and natural gas—the state holds enormous, untapped potential for renewable energy development. Now, tribal communities in southcentral Alaska’s Chugach region have partnered with an energy developer to explore one such renewable source: ocean wave-powered energy.
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Chugachmiut is a tribal consortium that serves and represents the seven distinct Native American tribes residing within the coastal Chugach region. The consortium recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian energy developer Carnegie Clean Energy Ltd. to pursue regional wave energy development. The agreement seeks explicitly to develop Carnegie’s CETO technology.
Named after a Greek sea goddess, Carnegie’s CETO technology is a scalable, fully submerged wave-energy production system. Anchored below the ocean’s surface, the system moves with the waves in a circular motion, which drives a system that converts the motion into electricity. Engineered to withstand intense storms and changing tides, the system is an excellent fit for the Chugach region, where tribal communities border part of the Cook Inlet, known for some of the world’s greatest tidal fluctuations.
“This revolutionary wave conversion system can potentially supply electricity to communities in the Chugach region,” stated Angela ‘Jan’ Vanderpool, executive director of Chugachmiut. “We are excited for the potential of lowering energy costs in the region, and it’s clean, renewable, and sustainable.”
Southcentral Alaska currently generates approximately 80 percent of its energy using natural gas, and the Chugach region is no exception. However, a looming natural gas shortfall could begin affecting output as early as 2027. The reason for the shortfall is multifaceted, stemming from complications under the Jones Act in shipping natural gas between ports in the state and dwindling supplies in key production areas. In pursuing wave energy, the Chugachmiut could protect tribal communities from natural gas shortages and increasing energy prices while advancing renewable power.
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A 2023 report from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management found that “Alaska has some of the world’s best tidal resources. This superlative is generally accepted within the global industry. It is based on the large quantity of resources located in Cook Inlet close to the Railbelt as well as the excellent resource quality based on high water current speeds, relatively unconflicted siting options, and the highly predictable and reliable nature of the resource.” The report concluded that, as technology advances, wave power could become a key part of the state’s renewable energy portfolio.
The use of CETO technology in the Chugach region could serve as a valuable case study for Alaska. If successful, it could signal a coming shift toward more ocean-powered energy production in the state’s coastal areas.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.
