The global push toward clean, sustainable energy continues to accelerate in the search for reliable power sources that reduce dependence on oil, coal, and gas. Renewable technologies are expanding beyond solar and wind to include geothermal, hydroelectric, and wave energy. In this evolving landscape, a Brazilian company has introduced a tidal turbine designed to harness underwater currents, revealing a realm of new, largely untapped possibilities for electricity generation.
TidalWatt has advanced a new generation of underwater turbines that capture energy from the ocean in a fully sustainable way. Mauricio Queiroz, founder and CEO of TidalWatt, notes that ocean currents have already been mapped and characterized in detail. The ocean system is emerging as a dependable renewable energy source due to its stability and predictability.
These devices operate on principles similar to wind turbines, but they extract power from underwater currents instead of air currents. They are deployed in the ocean where steady flow can be converted into electricity.
Three times more energy than a wind turbine
On the company’s site, a TidalWatt turbine with a 3-meter diameter is reported to generate about 5 MW of power at a current of 1.87 knots. By comparison, achieving the same power would require a wind turbine with a diameter of 180 meters. This efficiency insight highlights how a much smaller tidal turbine can deliver comparable energy output to a much larger wind turbine.
Because underwater currents are highly reliable, the compact turbine can produce power for a large portion of time. It is estimated to generate electricity roughly 90 percent of the time, versus about 30 percent for many wind installations. In practical terms, a turbine three thousand six hundred times smaller in footprint can deliver roughly three times the energy, according to the company’s leadership.
The approach shows strong potential: turbines, much smaller in scale, can supply substantial energy by tapping continuous underwater streams. The strong availability of the current supports consistent output, making these units attractive for stable power supply in suitable locations.
Plans call for installing turbines in sites where average current speeds exceed one nautical mile per hour, with power output ranging from 5 MW and offering capacity utilization between seventy and ninety-five percent. These figures reflect a strong efficiency profile in real-world conditions and demonstrate the technology’s potential for steady, scalable generation.
From a consumption perspective, the design translates into meaningful household impact. Under typical Brazilian energy usage patterns, the declared output from a single 5 MW turbine could power thousands of homes and deliver a substantial portion of average household electricity needs.
TidalWatt emphasizes its commitment to marine life protection. Deployment sites are chosen to minimize impacts on coral reefs and surrounding ecosystems. In addition, the company envisions creating artificial reefs at turbine bases to support a variety of marine species, enabling safe habitats for feeding and reproduction.
Recreating an installation scene underscores the practical and environmental considerations of this energy form, illustrating how tidal power installations fit into the coastal landscape while preserving ecosystem health.
Alliance with the John Cockerill Group
For the development of the initial test model, TidalWatt has collaborated with the John Cockerill Group, a company focused on large-scale technology solutions. The prototype arrangement received official authorization from the state of Rio de Janeiro to conduct tests in collaboration with the Brazilian National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology. The partnership demonstrates a pathway to rigorous technical validation and the broader deployment of subsea power generation projects.
From a technical and scientific standpoint, the project team has indicated readiness to move forward with next steps. LabOceano’s testing activities are expected to support the progression toward full-scale subsea power plants and may attract investment from stakeholders seeking cutting-edge, renewable energy opportunities with clear environmental benefits.
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Environment officials are prepared for ongoing collaboration and monitoring to ensure safe and responsible development of underwater energy resources.
This comprehensive effort illustrates how tidal power can fit within a diversified energy mix, offering a stable and predictable source of electricity while respecting marine ecosystems and local communities.