Tidal Power Generators For Houseboats Invented By An Alaskan Resident

In the coastal city of Juneau, an ingenious inventor has developed a groundbreaking method to decarbonize small vessels and houseboats using tidal power. Lance McMullan, the mind behind this innovation, has designed a simple yet powerful device that harnesses the relatively untapped energy of tides. His invention can deliver 1.6 kilowatts of power from tidal movements, with a user-friendly operation comparable to dropping an anchor.

Lance McMullan, originally from Texas, has been dedicated to advancing tidal power for years. Alaska, with its steep fjords and inlets, provides the perfect geographical setup for maximizing tidal energy. The natural chokepoints at the entrance to these bays amplify the tidal force, similar to how a river’s flow speeds up when it narrows. McMullan’s device, the Chinook 3.0, capitalizes on this principle, much like a wind turbine. The dense water amplifies kinetic energy more efficiently than air, making tidal energy more potent and reliable than wind power.

McMullan launched his startup, Sitkana, after securing $90,000 in seed funding. The first full-scale prototype of the Chinook 3.0 has been tested and can generate up to 1.6 kilowatts of power, enough to supply liveaboard vessels, houseboats, and small fishing boats, excluding the motor when anchored. Sitkana leverages modern 3D printing technologies to produce low-cost tidal generators, making them more accessible. At about 100 pounds, the Chinook 3.0 is significantly easier to handle than traditional diesel generators.

McMullan’s passion for tidal energy is evident. His garage on Douglas Island is filled with camping gear, a 3D printer, and boxes of plastic parts. The room is dominated by a sleek tube with a large rotor—his tidal power device. Despite numerous setbacks and failed components, McMullan’s determination never wavered. “Every part has failed at some point or another,” he admitted. “I just stay in this room working for days.”

McMullan’s obsession with tidal power has been a constant in his life for the past 14 years. “Anyone who has met me in the last 14 years, this is all they have heard about. It’s all I can think about,” he shared. “Like, I can’t look at the moon without thinking about another tidal cycle passing.”

Tidal power represents a promising alternative to fossil fuels, offering a reliable and consistent source of renewable energy. Alaska, with its ideal tidal conditions, has garnered significant interest and federal funding for tidal projects, particularly in Cook Inlet. Large-scale tidal projects here have the potential to power thousands of homes. McMullan, however, is starting smaller. Sitkana’s tidal generators are designed for individual fishing boats and liveaboard vessels, aiming to revolutionize ocean power much like rooftop solar panels did for solar energy.

Alaska’s unique geography amplifies tidal energy, making it a prime location for such developments. “It’s kind of hard to go anywhere in Alaska without tripping over a good tidal energy site,” said Brian Polagye, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Washington. Tidal energy, due to the density of water, can be more powerful than wind energy and is more consistent than solar energy.

Despite its potential, tidal energy remains underutilized mainly due to high costs. Standardized designs and mass manufacturing have reduced the costs of solar and wind technologies, making them more competitive. However, Polagye believes tidal energy can find its niche, particularly in remote locations where the grid is less robust. Villages like Igiugig, experimenting with river currents for power, exemplify this potential.

Sitkana’s tidal turbines are well-suited for coastal communities in Alaska that rely heavily on diesel. Communities like Angoon, Hoonah, and Kake face high energy costs and have explored various renewable options. As these communities transition to electric vehicles and heat pumps, the demand for renewable energy grows. Experts agree that a mix of renewables is essential for decarbonization, and McMullan believes tidal power should be part of this mix.

McMullan’s journey began while working as a deckhand in Sitka, where he envisioned a tidal generator mimicking the motion of fishing hooks. He pursued engineering studies and gained experience building wind turbines before returning to Alaska. After years of development, the Chinook 3.0 emerged, a portable and free-floating tidal turbine weighing less than 100 pounds.

The Chinook 3.0 is designed for ease of use, similar to dropping an anchor. Tidal currents spin the rotor, generating up to 1.6 kilowatts of electricity, sufficient for one person’s daily needs. For larger families, multiple generators may be required. Priced at just over $1,000 per kilowatt, the cost is comparable to wind power, thanks to its plastic construction.

Sitkana plans to manage maintenance challenges by accepting the inevitable wear and tear from the ocean’s harsh conditions. Damaged units will be replaced and recycled, ensuring sustainability. The Chinook 3.0 prototype will soon undergo testing in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to evaluate its impact on marine life. “We’re getting very close. It’s here, it works,” McMullan said. “Now it’s just about scaling it and getting it out there and producing the power.”

Sitkana expects to launch the generators next year, priced at around $2,000 each, marking a significant step toward making tidal energy accessible and practical for small-scale applications.