The company
Tidal Sails AS
The Story Behind the Creation of Tidal Sails
The idea of “sailing the tide” took shape during a 2003 fall regatta, when Are Børgesen, founder and CEO, sailed his leading boat into a strong tidal current running through a narrow sound. Despite the wind filling the spinnaker from astern, the opposing current gradually brought the boat to a standstill.
His team adjusted the sails to maintain control, but the current prevailed. As they drifted, a new thought emerged in Are's mind: what if the sailboat were turned upside down, allowing the spinnaker to harness the tidal stream instead of the wind? The tide itself could power the sails!
Tidal Sails - Early Development
We patented the original “Classic” concept (PCT/NO2004/000367, 2003) as a drag-based, two-station ropeway system deploying and retrieving up to 1,000 sails per tidal cycle. A 2007 prototype in Skjoldastraumen underperformed, leading to its discontinuation and the development of the three-station “Triangle” (PCT/NO2010/). Triangle exceeded the Betz limit on its reaching legs but required a more complex mooring system; it was recognized as an EU Success Story in 2012. In 2015, we introduced the third-generation “TackReach,” returning to a two-station layout with a self-adjustable, variable-pitch sail control system (PCT/NO2012/050178). The 2016 grid-connected prototype confirmed that diagonal alignment to the tidal current was essential to manage the higher lateral forces generated during tacking.
BeamReach - The Foundational Technology
BeamReach Core Technology represents over 20 years of innovation by TidalSails AS. This patented platform harnesses clean energy from slow-moving tidal streams, rivers, and ocean currents.
Combining sailing principles with advanced transport technology, BeamReach delivers high efficiency, low environmental impact, and a competitive cost-to-capacity ratio.
A typical plant operates 30–200, 100% recitable aluminum sails on circulating steel chains between suspended Direct Drive Generator Stations, where continuous motion powers large generators.
The Autonomous Sail Pitch Control System enables sail feathering to facilitate both Peak Shaving and complete plant shut down when needed.
The technology
BeamReach
Our proprietary technology
BeamReach exposes a substantially larger surface area to the energy stream than other tidal technologies, while maintaining efficiency per area comparable to conventional tidal turbines. Due to BeamReach aggressive Peak Shaving capability – annual production per MW is also significantly larger.
Our core technology platform, BeamReach is optimized for large-scale tidal and ocean currents. Fully submerged, lightweight, and made from recyclable aluminum, it delivers full output at just 3 knots — outperforming turbine systems by up to 40× or more in slow currents. Designed for 100 KW–10 MW installations, with minimal maintenance and zero environmental footprint.
Advanced Control & Performance
The “BeamReach” yields about the same efficiency per swept area as competitors with help of fully recyclable aluminum sails, but is capable of sweeping a much larger cross section of the current, consequently reach Rated Power already at 3 knots. At the same time typical tidal turbines only generate about 10-15% of theirs, at more than 3 to 5 times the cost per installed MW.
Due to BeamReach aggressive Peak Shaving capability – annual production per MW is also significantly larger. Additionally, for each knot less required to reach rated power, the extractable natural resource increase by a factor of 7 (Rule of thumb). Tidal turbines normally reach Rated Power at 5-7 knots. From the above one can derive BeamReach cost level at about 1/40th of competition in 3 knots, which is as difficult to convey as to accept.
Why BeamReach Changes the Game
BeamReach unlocks clean energy from slow-moving currents that other tidal technologies overlook, delivering full power in moderate flows where conventional turbines underperform. By sweeping a far larger cross-section of the current, it achieves exceptional energy capture with lower structural loads, translating into a superior cost-to-capacity ratio and stronger project economics.
Its lightweight, submerged design operates silently below shipping lanes with minimal environmental impact, while scalable architecture enables deployment from distributed local systems to utility-scale plants. The result is predictable, grid-ready renewable power with high annual output — expanding tidal energy into commercially viable territory.
Our solutions
Products
Tidal Sails offers four scalable clean energy systems based on BeamReach Core Technology. They are based on our patented sail technology (apart from WaveSails) — tailored for rivers, tidal zones, deep-sea currents, and future wave applications.
Modular, efficient, and environmentally friendly, each system is designed to meet specific site demands.
RiverSails
A streamlined BeamReach variant for rivers and confined tidal areas. Using the same sail and drive principles, RiverSails is optimized for uni-directional flow and simpler installations — with above-water generators mounted on monopiles. Scalable from 100 kW to 10 MW, ideal for distributed generation in remote or rural areas.
OceanSails
(Under Development)
A vertical adaptation of BeamReach, OceanSails is anchored to the seabed and stabilized with a custom-designed wing. Built to harvest power from deep, steady ocean currents like the Gulf Stream, this platform is suited for offshore baseload production at scale.
WaveSails
(Concept Stage)
An early-stage concept using modified sail structures capturing horizontal wave action as shallow-water waves accelerate near the shore, while effectively mitigating erosion. Designed for dual functionality—erosion control and localized power generation—WaveSails explores a future role in dynamic coastal environments.