Research & Development
Remote Alaskan communities face significantly high energy costs, with diesel fuel estimated at $0.50 to $1.00 per kilowatt-hour, which is significantly higher than the U.S average electricity rate of ~$0.17 per kilowatt-hour.
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These communities have shown strong interest in new and viable energy, particularly marine energy. However, hydrokinetic turbines have typically been large, expensive, and costly to maintain. These factors are impractical for remote coastal regions where transportation logistics and high costs are limiting factors to utilizing the current technology. Our goal is to develop a smaller, low-cost, and modular turbine that can be configured into arrays that are easy to deploy and maintain, offering a scalable energy solution.
TEAMER Support
This TEAMER project focuses on identifying the most promising cross flow rotor design spaces, focusing on rotor type, size, and material to minimize cost and dimensions while meeting essential power requirements and prioritizing matching local deployment, recovery, and maintenance capability. Performance and cost modeling software will be employed to study a range of existing rotor designs and integrate local Alaskan knowledge to ensure the configurations meet the unique energy needs, operational and design constraints, and environmental conditions of the region while minimizing prospective Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).
This project serves as the foundational phase of turbine development, identifying optimal rotor configurations that are accessible, transportable, and affordable along with the performance thresholds needed to achieve a competitive LCOE for future implementation. The work will establish a strong technical foundation and accelerate the deployment of an efficient and scalable future energy solutions in remote and resource-constrained areas.
Using performance and cost modeling software, TBEC is evaluating a range of existing rotor designs and optimizing configurations to balance power generation, affordability, and transportability.
The goal is to achieve a competitive Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) while ensuring long-term reliability and renewal.
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This project serves as the foundational phase of turbine development, establishing the technical framework necessary to accelerate the deployment of future energy solutions in remote and resource-constrained areas. By integrating local knowledge, advanced modeling, and scalable design, TBEC is supporting the transition to affordable, efficient, and reliable energy systems for Alaskan communities.
Downscaled Slow Onset and Extreme Weather Events refines global hazard projections to local and regional scales, enabling more precise assessments of risks and trends. This process enhances decision-making by integrating high-resolution data on temperature, precipitation, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise tailored to specific geographic areas. TBEC specializes in statistical and dynamical downscaling, ensuring that projections are actionable for energy security, agricultural planning, and infrastructure adaptation.
NSF SBIR Support
We received a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I award (#2014633) to develop proof-of-concept techniques using projected hazards overlayed with biophysical processes to project how risk hazards will change, e.g., erosion, flooding, drought, permafrost thaw, etc. This work was the foundation for an NSF SBIR Phase II award (#2126742). The Phase II award used machine learning to combine geometrics, future hazard risks, and geodesign to identify current and potential hazard susceptibility.
Non-Compete Status
As a Phase II awardee, TBEC has non-compete privileges for SBIR Phase III awards that derives from, extends, or completes the research completed under prior SBIR funding agreements. For example, extending the projected hazard estimates to develop near, mid and far-term changes to extreme permafrost thaw. Any Federal agency can fund an SBIR Phase III award.
The competition for SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards satisfies any competition requirement of the Armed Services Procurement Act, the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, and the Competition in Contracting Act. Therefore, an agency that wishes to fund an SBIR Phase III project is not required to conduct another competition to satisfy those statutory provisions. As a result, in conducting actions relative to a Phase III SBIR award, it is sufficient to state for purposes of a Justification and Approval pursuant to FAR 6.302-5, that the project is a SBIR Phase III award that is derived from, extends, or completes efforts made under prior SBIR funding agreements and is authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2304(b)(2) or 41 U.S.C. 3303(b)
Advanced risk identification combines geospatial analysis, hazard modeling, and machine learning to proactively detect and assess threats across environmental, agricultural, and energy infrastructure sectors. By integrating past, current, and future data, real-time monitoring, and predictive modeling, this approach enhances the ability to anticipate and mitigate risks related to permafrost degradation, flooding, wildfire hazards, and extreme weather events.
NOAA
The Levelock Village Council, in collaboration with NOAA’s Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grant program, is conducting a Community Impact Statement (CIS) to assess and mitigate the effects of shoreline erosion along the Kvichak River in Levelock, Alaska. This initiative integrates advanced hazard modeling, local observations, and stakeholder engagement to develop a comprehensive strategy.
Given the region’s reliance on the Kvichak River for subsistence fishing and infrastructure stability, the CIS will provide critical insights into how climate change, including permafrost melt, extreme weather, and erosion, impacts the community. The project will offer targeted mitigation strategies and explore nature-based solutions to enhance coastal resilience. Through this effort, Levelock aims to safeguard critical infrastructure, sustain ecological resources, and preserve traditional ways of life for future generations.
NASA ROSES
The NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) program supports innovative research that leverages NASA’s Earth observation data to advance scientific understanding and inform real-world applications.
Through ROSES, researchers collaborate with communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop actionable solutions for hazard resilience, environmental management, and disaster preparedness. The program funds interdisciplinary projects that integrate satellite data, modeling, and local knowledge to enhance decision-making and future proofing efforts.
NASA ROSES Project
This project harnesses NASA Earth observation data and Indigenous Knowledge to develop comprehensive climate information systems and adaptation strategies for communities in Southeastern Alaska. A key component of this initiative is the Community Impact Statement (CIS), which will consolidate diverse data sources—including temperature, precipitation, wind, and snowfall—into an accessible platform for Alaska Southeast communities. By integrating NASA’s satellite data with local observations, the CIS will provide a robust foundation for understanding both current and future climate trends.
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Another major deliverable is the Integrated Community Adaptation and Risk Information System (ICARIS), which will be customized for each participating village. ICARIS will combine NASA datasets with Indigenous Knowledge and community priorities to offer actionable insights for climate adaptation. The system will co-develop reports that inform decision-making at both the local and policy levels, ensuring that adaptation strategies are both relevant and effective.
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Community engagement is central to this project. By working closely with tribal leaders, local stakeholders, and community members, the project ensures that ICARIS reflects the unique needs of each village. Through co-development workshops, discussions, and ongoing collaboration, the system will be shaped by those it is designed to serve. In addition to data integration and planning tools, the project will emphasize capacity building. Training workshops and educational initiatives will equip communities with the knowledge and resources needed to sustain long-term climate resilience efforts. By fostering local expertise, the project aims to empower North Slope communities with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of a changing climate.
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This initiative, supported by NASA ROSES, represents a groundbreaking effort to bridge cutting-edge science with community-driven solutions, ensuring that Native Alaska villages have the information and capacity to make informed, proactive decisions for their future.