OUI spinout Porpoise Power emerges from stealth, aiming to power the grid with next-generation tidal energy
16th April 2025
A new Oxford University Innovation spinout is betting on the ocean to help meet future energy needs, with a novel approach to tidal power that holds long-term promise.
Porpoise Power has emerged from stealth with a bold new take on tidal energy — one that mimics nature to overcome the limitations of traditional marine turbines.
Oxford University Innovation spinout Porpoise Power is developing a novel system designed to make tidal energy practical, affordable, and reliable at scale. Its £1.2 million pre-seed round in 2024 was led by Zero Carbon Capital, with support from Creator Fund and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE).
The company’s design is inspired by how dolphins swim. Instead of spinning like traditional turbines, a fin moves up and down in the tidal stream to generate energy. This approach works in more places and conditions, making tidal power a more practical and scalable source of clean electricity.
Professor Adrian Thomas, co-founder and Professor of Biomechanics at the University of Oxford, said: “Nature has evolved incredibly efficient ways of moving through water, and we’ve learned a lot by studying those systems closely. By mimicking the way dolphins swim, we’ve created a design that works in far more tidal conditions than traditional turbines – without causing harm to the surrounding environment. This is about working with nature, not against it.”
The technology represents a major leap forward in tidal energy. It can provide clean, reliable power like fossil fuels, but without the emissions. And it could cost about the same as offshore wind – with the added benefit of being predictable, which helps balance out wind and solar.
According to early modelling, if the UK built four underwater tidal energy farms, each one covering 30 x 30 km, using Porpoise Power’s technology, that could be enough to provide all the constant, baseline electricity the UK needs.
The company is now preparing for pilot deployments at UK tidal sites, supported by a team that includes experts in biomechanics, marine systems engineering, and cleantech commercialisation.
John Kennedy, CEO of Porpoise Power, said: “Tidal energy has always had huge potential, but it’s been held back by technical and economic challenges. At Porpoise Power, we’ve taken a fresh approach, combining nature-inspired engineering with a strong commercial focus to make tidal a real contender for reliable, affordable clean energy. We believe this technology can play a major role in building a resilient, zero-carbon grid.”
As the world needs more reliable clean energy – especially with growing demand from electric vehicles, AI, and industry – Porpoise Power aims to make tidal energy a key part of the future electricity system.
For more information about Porpoise Power, visit their website.
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