AXL ocean-current turbine

A moored horizontal-axis turbine for the tidal channels of the British Columbia coast. Predictable output. Minimal visual footprint. No dam, no reservoir, no relocation.

SEA SURFACE SEABED AXL OCEAN NACELLE ANCHOR ANCHOR SUBSEA CABLE TIDAL CURRENT SHORE
AXL ocean nacelle moored in a tidal channel, with power routed ashore by subsea cable to a community or industrial load.

Anchoring, depth, and tidal windows

Each AXL ocean unit is moored with a redundant anchor system sized for the site's peak current and seabed type. The nacelle floats above the seabed in the high-velocity layer of the water column, where tidal kinetic energy is densest. Power is routed ashore via an armoured subsea cable.

BC tidal channels are among the best-characterized current regimes on the Pacific coast, which means output is highly predictable. Unlike wind, we know months in advance when power will be generated, which makes planning a microgrid a lot easier.

Use case: BC coastal communities

Remote coastal communities and First Nations villages currently rely heavily on diesel generation. A small AXL ocean array in a nearby tidal channel can displace a meaningful share of that diesel, reducing both operating cost and emissions, while keeping the asset under local control. We design deployments to be serviceable with locally available marine trades whenever possible.

Environmental footprint

AXL ocean specifications

Rotor diameter4 m to 12 m
Rated output25 kW to 500 kW
Site current2.0 m/s and up
Operating depth12 m to 40 m
MooringRedundant gravity or pile anchor
CableArmoured subsea, up to 5 km
Grid interfaceOnshore inverter, utility tie-in
MaterialsDuplex stainless, composite blades
Design life20 years, mid-life refurb
Deployment6 to 9 month window

Coastline and a diesel bill?

Tell us the site. We can run a first-pass feasibility on the tidal current data alone.

Request a coastal assessment