About this episode

This episode explores the potential of tidal energy as a renewable and perpetual energy source.

Water is 800 times denser than air and when large volumes start moving in a single direction with force and purpose, it becomes virtually unstoppable. And that force represents an opportunity to harness the power of water in a way that's different from conventional hydropower. Instead of relying on elevation and gravity, we can capture energy directly from the flow itself. Afterall, the tides are pulled by the moon, creating a rhythm that has been in motion since long before fossil fuels were even imaginable. It's not just renewable—it's perpetual. Today on the show -- tidal energy in many different forms. People: Jeremy Kasper , Director - Alaska Center for Energy and Power; Ben Loeffler , Alaska Center for Energy and Power; Stephanie Jump , Alaska Center for Energy and Power; Places: Saltstraumen, Norway; Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site, Alaska Technology/Concepts: tidal power generation, tidal barrage, hydrokinetic, in-river hydro, blade runner turbine Closing the Gap is hosted by Gwen Holdmann. Jennifer Pemberton is our editor. Liz Smith and Tony Williams produced this episode. Music is from Bluedot Sessions. Special thanks to David Lane at Neuralsurfer, who let us use…

People in this episode

Host: Gwen Holdmann

Guests: Jeremy Kasper, Ben Loeffler, Stephanie Jump

Topics covered

• tidal energy
• renewable energy
• hydropower
• ocean energy
• energy generation

Keywords

• tidal power generation
• tidal barrage
• hydrokinetic
• in-river hydro
• blade runner turbine

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Alaska Center for Energy and Power

Books & works: A Descent Into The Maelstrom

Places: Saltstraumen, Norway, Tanana River Hydrokinetic Test Site, Alaska

More episodes of Closing the Gap with Gwen Holdmann

• Listen to Gwen on the Fissionary Podcast · July 14, 2026 · 32 min
• The Last Coal Mine in Svalbard · December 19, 2025 · 28 min
• Passive Cooling · October 29, 2025 · 25 min
• Trash is Treasure: Waste-to-Energy · October 6, 2025 · 25 min
• A Nuclear Reactor for Alaska's F-35s · August 20, 2025 · 18 min
• Nuclear Energy 2.0 is (Still) Upon Us · August 8, 2025 · 22 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Closing the Gap with Gwen Holdmann podcast page.