Hydrokinetic energy is emerging as a prominent renewable energy class, offering greater reliability and predictability than solar or wind, thus presenting a strong alternative to fossil fuels for continuous power generation.
The company aims to form a consortium to develop a 1MW tidal device for utility-scale tidal farms delivering an unmatched value proposition. It will leverage the Firm s core innovation, the undulating membrane technology, and the domain expertise of partners in naval architecture and offshore energy to design and build a seagoing ballast platform and deploy array engineering for platform-to-shore connections. The consortium will rely extensively on grants for its funding.
The company has pioneered a novel technology using an undulating membrane to harvest hydrokinetic energy from rivers and tidal currents. After a decade of developing 3-5kW POCs, the company advanced to a 30kW prototype in 2022 and deployed a full-feature TRL7 device on the Rhone River in 2023.
The company is now gearing up for the commercial launch of small devices, starting with Chile, with the local support from a partner experienced in marine renewable energies. The devices are designed for isolated communities and industries. Patagonia is a region relying extensively on diesel generator-powered minigrids, leading to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and high electricity costs. Similar critical needs, estimated at 40GW globally by 2050 and equivalent to a €120 billion capital expenditure, exist in remote regions of the US, Canada, and Africa and remote islands in Southeast Asia. The company stands out as one of the few companies capable of meeting such needs.
Besides minigrids, tidal energy can be deployed in utility-scale offshore energy farms, particularly in areas with robust tidal resources like Europe, the Americas and Asia. Tidal currents, which are predictable decades ahead, offer substantial advantages for main grid operators in replacing baseload power, requiring less energy storage and transmission infrastructure versus solar or wind energy. The industry projects that by 2050, 100GW could be deployed, equivalent to €250 billion of capital expenditure. The EU alone, a leader in tidal energy, has set a goal of 2GW by 2030 and 15GW by 2050. The company intends to participate in such nascent market. Their technology can be scaled into MWs, promising 50% greater energy efficiency and 30-50% lower cost versus conventional tidal. The company began work on a 1MW device, set with two 500kW generators using an upscaled version of their membrane technology, currently at TRL5. Their aim is to reach TRL7 within 24 months with a prototype running at one of Europe s main test sites (EMEC in Scotland or OpenSea in Brittany); it entails 1 year of machine development, 1 year to build the machine, and 2 years of device testing, paving the way to participate in tenders for pilot farms (TRL9).
The company s device consists of (i) an “Engine”, featuring an undulating membrane made of poly-oxy-methylene (POM) linked to a power-conversion system (Power Take-Off or PTO) using a hydraulic subsystem that powers an electric generator linked to an electronic drive for grid-quality electricity, (ii) a ballast structure that holds one or several Engines, anchored, naturally pivoting to face ebb and flow currents, designed to be floating, pelagic (in the middle of the water column to capture the higher currents found near the surface while reducing weather impact and visual pollution in protected areas) or seabed, and (iii) array equipment that includes subsea cabling and a shore substation for main grid connection. The core innovation of the Company resides in the Engine, for which patents have been granted. The company s tidal project already garnered interest from a global utility, noting the membrane s efficiency in energy harvesting, the technology is simple and works with potential for cost-effective improvements and scalabililty.

Advantages and innovation
• Biomimicry Inspired. The company was inspired by the undulating motion propelling fish at speeds up to 110km/h. Their technology uses a membrane held in place by adjustable cables, which forces it to bend and resist the current. A proprietary power conversion system transforms the undulating motion of the membrane into electricity. The power rating increases with the size of the membrane.
• Superior to Rotors. The company s unique technological approach drives 2 advantages. Firstly, the membrane resists current along its entire length, enabling superior energy capture compared to the brief, and quot;surface-level and quot; resistance of blades. Secondly, the membrane s horizontal placement in the water enables a sequential adjustment to varying current speeds in the water column for reduced system stress compared to rotors handling varying current velocities simultaneously.
• 50% More Power. The Cp factor, gauging the energy capture by the device, reaches 62%, not only exceeds the 35-42% typical of tidal rotors but also exceeds the Betz s Law limit of 59% physical limit for blade technologies. Additionally, water flows regenerate more rapidly than with turbinated water, resulting in 40% greater array density, as more devices can be installed in a given area.
• 30-50% Lower Cost. This is driven by a combination of factors. Lower system stress and easy surface access to the ballast structure lead to reduced capex and opex costs. The company relies on rugged sub-systems to reduce costs. The device is unique in being easily and economically customized to optimize each site. The device is strategically placed in the water column to capture stronger currents found near the surface, to increase power output and viable extraction zones while avoiding costs associated with severe weather protection.
• Social acceptance. The machine is invisible, poses no threat to wildlife, enables shared maritime activities, and requires less footprint due to higher array density.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
The 1MW machine currently under development is estimated to measure 12x18m, weigh 260 metric tonnes, and cost €6M for the initial unit. The goal is to achieve TRL7 within two years, including a year for development and another for construction, with a prototype operational at a major European test site. Following two years of testing, the aim is to attain TRL9, qualifying for pilot farm tenders. The total budget to engineer, build, test and launch commercially the 1MW device is estimated at €20M over the next 4 years, mostly grant-funded. The company s tidal project already attracted interest from a global utility, noting the membrane s efficiency as energy harvester, the simplicity and functionality of the technology and its prospects for cost-effective enhancement and scalability.

The company is focusing on upscaling their technology and plans to partner with domain experts for the optimal engineering of the marine structure and subsea array engineering. The Firm aims to emulate industry precedents where tidal technology providers partner with shipyards, offshore energy engineering and construction firms, to design, build, and deploy machines in offshore farm setups. The company is seeking expertise in naval architecture and offshore anchored platforms - both floating and submerged -, subsea array infrastructure, and manufacturing capabilities to assemble entire units.

Initial tidal farm locations will be off the Brittany, UK and Ireland, with plans to expand to North America s northern shores and Patagonia. These sites are anticipated to scale up to several hundred megawatts each as the industry matures. The industry globally foresees the deployment of 100GW by 2050, equating to €200 billion in capital investment. The EU, currently the global front-runner for tidal energy, set its own target of 2GW by 2030 and 15GW by 2050. The company set its sights on deploying 180MW by 2032 and reaching 10GW by 2050.

Framework program
Energy
Call title and identifier
EIC Midscale Innovation Fund
Submission and evaluation scheme
Anticipated project budget
20M€
Coordinator required
Yes
Deadline for EoI
31/12/2024
Deadline of the call
31/12/2024
Project duration in weeks
1248