Porpoise Power

Tidal energy is abundant, dependable power. We have not yet succeeded in exploiting it. Nature has the answer.

Wind and solar have shown that renewable energy can be cheap. Tidal will show that it can also be predictable and reliable. This is key to us delivering the growth to meet the transition away from fossil fuels.

Porpoise fin
technology

Porpoise Power are developing a tidal generator, using the movement like a whale’s tail. Unlike tidal turbines, it works in medium tides, 3-5 knots, which are abundant around the coasts of the UK, North Atlantic & Pacific coasts, plus Indian and South Pacific. Its arrays will generate energy at the same cost as offshore wind.

The potential for this technology to balance the grid is huge – in the UK it could deliver all the required baseload power, globally tidal could have 250GW of generation in the water by 2050, replacing gas and eliminating 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

The benefits of Porpoise

In the right place.

Having such choice of locations allows arrays to be located close to grid connections, close to demand and away from the stormiest seas.

Low impact.

Sitting less than 2m high on the water, a few hundred metres offshore, the arrays will not impede views, nor, with a fin moving at the speed fish swim, will they present a threat to wildlife.

Competitive cost.

The design is based on achieving LCOEs that are competitive to offshore wind, yet are predictable. Combining tidal arrays with wind power will reduce this further.

Team

Porpoise Power was co-founded by

‍Adrian Thomas, Professor of BioMechanics at Oxford University, who is utilising both his experience in understanding the mechanics of biological movement and being a serial entrepreneur;

‍John Kennedy, an engineer who has grown many businesses, (Green & Black's, Wayfair, MOO) as well previous experience as CEO leading deep tech start ups;

‍Hilary Struthers, former Shell commercial & sustainability executive and NED of renewables developer Low Carbon;

Martin Hall, a seasoned start-up innovator.

Partners

We’re delighted to be supported in our quest by our fantastic investors Zero Carbon Capital, Creator Fund and OSE among others, together with grant funding from Innovate.