Energy balance modeling of tidal and river current generation devices in Alaska

Energy balance models have been used to help size and predict viability of wind generation integration into
microgrid communities and can provide comparable analyses for marine resources as well. HOMER is a leader in
techno-economic modeling software for microgrids allowing for component comparison and cost optimization over
project lifetime based on hourly resource availability and demand. MiGRIDS offers a greater management of
generation control and scheduling than HOMER, as well as higher temporal resolution, but lacks project lifetime
analysis. These software tools will be used to analyze benefits and impacts of marine energy integration into Alaska
microgrids using two sites as a case study for two types of marine energy converters. Igiugig on the Kvichak River
will be simulated with a river current energy converter and Tyonek on the Cook Inlet will be modeled with a tidal
energy converter. It is demonstrated that both models yield similar results, but each is designed to focus on different
aspects of microgrid simulation.