Axial Skelter arriving at Alderney

Spiralis Energy, led by CEO Guy Levene, is riding the wave of a groundbreaking tidal energy revolution, blending innovation, sustainability, and community engagement to unlock the immense potential of tidal power. As the world seeks to transition to clean energy sources, tidal energy has remained on the sidelines, overshadowed by wind and solar power. However, with Spiralis Energy’s innovative approach and the development of its flagship product, the Axial Skelter, the company is poised to bring tidal energy into the mainstream. By addressing technical, economic, and environmental challenges, Spiralis Energy is paving the way for a future where predictable, sustainable tidal energy becomes a cornerstone of the global energy mix.

Rethinking renewable power

Spiralis Energy was born from a simple but powerful vision: to harness the untapped potential of tidal and river currents for renewable energy. As CEO Guy Levene explains: “We saw an opportunity to rethink how we generate renewable energy – not just in terms of efficiency, but in how it interacts with people and the planet. Spiralis is about creating technology that works with nature and empowers communities.”

Traditional renewable energy sources like wind and solar, while essential, face challenges such as intermittency and unpredictability. Wind is dependent on weather patterns, and solar power can’t generate energy at night or during overcast conditions.

Tidal energy, however, offers a significant advantage: it is both predictable and reliable. The tides follow an established, calculable rhythm, with currents that can be forecast to the minute – even centuries in advance. This makes tidal power a perfect complement to other renewable energy sources, providing the steady, stable output needed to support a clean and sustainable energy grid. From the outset, Spiralis Energy focused on developing a technology that would not only be cost-effective but also environmentally responsible, ensuring that their devices would integrate seamlessly into the natural world.

Guy Levene sums up this vision perfectly when asked about the message he’d like the public to take away: “I would say that predictable tidal energy at an affordable price is here. We live on an island, some of the best tides in the world. Why aren’t we using it?” This question captures the essence of Spiralis Energy’s mission: to finally unlock the potential of the tides and harness them for a sustainable future.

The Axial Skelter

At the heart of Spiralis Energy’s vision is the Axial Skelter, an innovative tidal energy device designed with simplicity, scalability, and sustainability in mind. Unlike traditional underwater turbines, which often feature large, rotating blades that can disrupt marine ecosystems, the Axial Skelter employs a wing-like, spiral design that minimizes environmental impact. Its aerodynamic shape mimics the natural geometry of turritella shells, creating a streamlined device that generates lift and torque through tidal currents.

This design, which eliminates the need for complex mechanical parts, offers a more efficient, cost-effective solution compared to conventional tidal energy systems. As Levene explains: “We have just one moving part under the water, which reduces complexity and cost.” By focusing on simplicity and minimizing environmental disruption, Spiralis Energy has created a tidal power solution that is scalable, adaptable, and capable of meeting a variety of energy needs.

Adding to its sustainable credentials, the Axial Skelter is constructed using 3D printing with 100% recycled plastic and a repurposed steel frame. The entire device can be produced within just one week, making it both resource-efficient and quick to manufacture.

The Axial Skelter is a versatile device that can operate in a range of water environments, from tidal currents in oceans to slower-moving rivers. Its modular design means that individual units can be deployed in clusters to generate larger amounts of power, making it suitable for applications ranging from small, remote island communities to larger, national grids. The company has even developed a metric to illustrate the impact of each unit: a single Axial Skelter can produce enough energy to brew 250,000 cups of tea per day. This simple yet effective measure is used as part of the company’s Tides2Tea campaign to raise public awareness and demonstrate the real-world potential of tidal energy.

Testing the waters: journey from prototype to real-world application

Since its founding, Spiralis Energy has moved swiftly from concept to prototype, building and testing increasingly larger models of the Axial Skelter. The company’s efforts culminated in a six-meter prototype, which was deployed in controlled testing environments with promising results. “Our computer simulations predicted performance within 1% accuracy,” Levene notes, highlighting the precision and innovation behind the company’s design. The next phase of testing will take place off Alderney in the Channel Islands, an area known for its strong tidal currents and its reliance on diesel-powered energy.

Alderney offers the ideal environment for Spiralis Energy’s technology, as the island seeks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources. The aim is to replace a portion of the island’s diesel-generated power with tidal energy, cutting both costs and emissions. Levene is optimistic about the potential impact: “Alderney isn’t just a testing site – we hope to build a strong relationship with the island and its people. We’ve worked hard to ensure the community feels involved and supported, and their feedback has been invaluable. “

In addition to performance tests, Spiralis Energy is committed to ensuring that its technology does not harm local marine ecosystems. The company has equipped its prototypes with sensors and cameras to monitor interactions with marine life, working closely with organizations like the Alderney Wildlife Trust to gather data and ensure transparency. As Levene explains: “Fish swim through our models as if they aren’t there. We’re committed to proving that this technology doesn’t harm the environment.”

Tides2Tea: bridging the gap between technology and people

To make tidal energy more relatable and engage the public in the transition to clean energy, Spiralis Energy launched the Tides2Tea campaign. The initiative invites individuals to purchase a “future cup of tea from the tide,” symbolizing their support for the project. Each supporter’s name will be inscribed on one of the Axial Skelters, with the names forming a figurative petition to show policymakers the level of public interest in tidal energy. Once deployed in Alderney the Axial Skelter will feature a live feed, where during slack tide supporters can try to spot their name real-time.

Levene emphasizes the campaign’s goal: “Tides2Tea is about making tidal energy relatable. By tying it to something as universal as a cup of tea, we’re showing people the real-world impact of this technology. It’s about creating a personal connection to the future of energy.”

The Tides2Tea campaign also serves as a way for Spiralis Energy to demonstrate public support for tidal energy and push for greater government focus on the sector, which has often been overlooked despite the UK’s rich tidal energy resources.

Environmental stewardship

From its inception, Spiralis Energy has prioritized environmental sustainability. The company’s design philosophy centres on creating technology that works in harmony with nature, leaving minimal ecological impact. This commitment is evident in the design of the Axial Skelter, which avoids the use of sharp blades or fast-moving parts that could harm marine life. In addition, Spiralis Energy’s environmental monitoring practices ensure that the deployment of its devices does not disrupt local ecosystems.

Levene explains: “The Axial Skelter isn’t just about generating energy – it’s about proving that innovation can go hand-in-hand with ecological preservation.” Spiralis Energy works closely with environmental organizations, local governments, and stakeholders to ensure that its technology adheres to the highest standards of sustainability. The company’s focus on transparency and collaboration with local communities sets it apart in an industry that is often scrutinized for its environmental footprint.

Looking ahead

While Spiralis Energy’s primary focus is on deploying the Axial Skelter off Alderney, the company envisions global applications for its technology. evene is optimistic about the potential for tidal energy to play an important role in the green energy mix and to be deployed in a variety of settings around the world: “We have designed something that, within three years, can compete on cost with wind and solar – this has never been done before. The Axial Skelter could work in rivers like the Rhine or Mississippi, as well as tidal flows in places like New Zealand or Canada, providing a cost-effective, sustainable energy solution for communities worldwide.”

In the long term, Spiralis Energy plans to become an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), supplying its systems to other organizations and taking a share of the revenue generated by the energy produced. This approach will allow Spiralis Energy to scale its operations and bring tidal energy to a broader range of markets.