Aquantis
Aquantis is a private Santa Barbara-based marine energy company developing AQ Series ocean current turbines that convert kinetic energy from tidal and gyre currents into utility-scale electricity for grid transmission, targeting utilities, energy companies, and financial institutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersSanta Barbara, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aquantis does
Aquantis, Inc. is a privately held marine renewable energy company founded in 2011 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. The company designs and develops the AQ Series Marine Current Turbines, which convert the kinetic energy of gyre or tidal ocean currents into electric power for submarine transmission to land-based power grids. Each system integrates a stable spar buoy vessel moored to seabed anchors with an upstream variable pitch rotor positioned below the surface, enabling predictable, utility-scale 24/7 electricity generation that addresses the intermittency limitations of wind and solar. The technology is protected by nine issued patents and three pending applications.
Aquantis operates a B2B enterprise model targeting electric utilities, energy companies, and financial institutions seeking renewable baseload power and ESG-aligned investments. The company does not disclose pricing and remains in advanced engineering, testing, and certification with no commercial deployments or revenue recorded. Sales and deployment are intended to follow a direct enterprise model for large-scale turbine installations in coastal regions such as the U.S. Gulf Stream corridor and global markets with steady near-shore ocean currents.
The company's technical development is supported by core strategic collaborations, including a since-2012 partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on turbine design, and partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories and the U.S. Navy for technology testing. Leadership is concentrated among the Dehlsen family (Executive Chairman James GP Dehlsen and Executive Director Brent Dehlsen), whose prior experience commercializing wind technology through Zond Systems and Clipper Windpower forms the basis of the company's engineering pedigree.
Aquantis firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aquantis
- Legal name
- Aquantis, Inc.
- Website
- https://aquantistech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aquantis is a private Santa Barbara-based marine energy company developing AQ Series ocean current turbines that convert kinetic energy from tidal and gyre currents into utility-scale electricity for grid transmission, targeting utilities, energy companies, and financial institutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aquantis industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Renewable Energy Equipment
- NAICS
- Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611)
- SIC
- Engines & Turbines (3510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ocean Current Power Generation (EUACAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine & Hydrokinetic R&D (Tidal, Wave, River Current, OTEC) (EUAMAOAD)
Keywords
Where Aquantis is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Barbara
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aquantis business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Aquantis product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aquantis designs, develops, and commercializes the AQ Series Marine Current Turbines that convert kinetic energy from ocean currents (gyre or tidal) into utility-scale electric power for submarine transmission to land-based power grids. The turbines use a stable spar buoy vessel moored to seabed anchors with an upstream rotor featuring variable pitch blades, enabling predictable 24/7 renewable power generation.
Product overview
Aquantis offers a single product line — the AQ Series Turbines — which are marine current turbines designed to convert the kinetic energy of ocean currents (both tidal and gyre/constant currents) into utility-scale electricity. The turbines integrate proven power-generating technology with a stable spar buoy vessel moored to seabed anchors, featuring an upstream rotor with variable pitch blades positioned below the surface. The company holds nine issued patents and three patents in process for this technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AQ Series Turbines: Aquantis Turbines designed to convert kinetic energy of ocean currents (gyre or tidal) to electric power for submarine transmission to land-based power grid. Features include high efficiency, stable spar buoy vessel, upstream rotor with variable pitch blades, and surface entry for safe operation and maintenance.
Products and services
- AQ Series Turbines Marine renewable energy turbines that convert kinetic energy from gyre or tidal ocean currents into electric power for submarine transmission to land-based power grids. Features high power-to-weight ratio, stable spar buoy vessel moored to seabed anchors, upstream rotor with variable pitch blades, and surface-access design for safe operation and maintenance. Designed for utility-scale electricity generation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Gulf Stream offers vast strategic renewable energy resource in close proximity to large population clusters
Companies that use Aquantis
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aquantis technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aquantis partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)coreSince 2012, Aquantis and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have collaborated on ocean turbine design, drawing on MHI's leadership in building submarines, unmanned underwater vehicles, and offshore oil and gas facilities. This partnership provides deep technical expertise in submarine and offshore engineering.
- U.S. Department of Energy National LaboratoriescorePartnership with National Laboratories of the U.S. Department of Energy for technology development and testing of marine current turbines.
- U.S. NavycorePartnership with the U.S. Navy for marine energy technology development and testing.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Aquantis competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Principle Power: Principle Power designs floating offshore wind substructures. Adjacent floating marine renewable infrastructure developer targeting similar utility-scale offshore deployment challenges as Aquantis.
- Minesto: Minesto develops subsea kite turbines that harvest tidal/ocean currents. Comparable as an early-stage deep-tech marine energy company focused on cost-of-energy, though with a different architecture.
- Carnegie Clean Energy: Carnegie develops CETO wave energy technology. Adjacent marine renewables developer with similar early-stage commercialization status, focused on utility-scale ocean power.
Broad incumbents
- GE Renewable Energy (offshore): GE is a global wind power incumbent (entered via acquisition from Zond, the founders' prior company). Comparable as a large industrial renewables platform and commercial pathway reference for Aquantis' founders.
- Mako Turbines (Schottel Hydro): Schottel Hydro develops hydrokinetic turbines for river and tidal applications as part of a larger propulsion/marine engineering group. Comparable marine turbine manufacturer with broader maritime industrial base.
- Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy: Siemens Gamesa is a global offshore wind turbine incumbent and competing utility-scale marine renewables provider. Represents the competitive landscape for grid-scale ocean power.
Others
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: MHI is a strategic engineering partner of Aquantis in turbine design and brings submarine, UUV, and offshore oil & gas expertise. Connected as a deep collaborator and potential future industrial partner.
Direct peers
- Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC): ORPC develops tidal and ocean current power generation systems using cross-flow and helical turbines. Directly comparable to Aquantis as a marine current energy technology developer targeting utility-scale deployment.
- Verdant Power: Verdant Power develops kinetic hydropower systems (tidal and river) using three-bladed turbines. Directly comparable as a marine current turbine developer seeking grid-scale renewable deployment.
- Simec Atlantis Energy (formerly Atlantis Resources): Develops tidal stream energy projects, including the MeyGen project in Scotland using subsea turbines. Comparable as a marine current utility-scale project developer pushing commercial deployment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aquantis social profiles
Digital presenceAquantis financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aquantis leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Aquantis funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aquantis M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aquantis
What does Aquantis do?
Aquantis designs, develops, and commercializes the AQ Series Marine Current Turbines that convert kinetic energy from ocean currents (gyre or tidal) into utility-scale electric power for submarine transmission to land-based power grids. The turbines use a stable spar buoy vessel moored to seabed anchors with an upstream rotor featuring variable pitch blades, enabling predictable 24/7 renewable power generation.
Is Aquantis a public or private company?
Aquantis is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aquantis founded?
Aquantis was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aquantis based?
Aquantis is headquartered in Santa Barbara, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Aquantis's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Principle Power, Minesto and Carnegie Clean Energy. Broad incumbents are GE Renewable Energy (offshore), Mako Turbines (Schottel Hydro) and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is listed as an others. Direct peers are Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), Verdant Power and Simec Atlantis Energy (formerly Atlantis Resources).
Does Aquantis have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aquantis.
What industry is Aquantis in?
Aquantis's product category is Marine Renewable Energy Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUACAJAD, Ocean Current Power Generation, with a secondary code of EUAMAOAD, Marine & Hydrokinetic R&D (Tidal, Wave, River Current, OTEC). Its NAICS code is 333611 and its SIC code is 3510.