March & April 2024
In April, we tested our first full-scale (1.6kW) waterproof prototype. It works!
One year ago, Sitkana raised a Pre-Seed round of $90k with only two milestones outlined: (1) validate our rotor design, and (2) build and test full-scale prototype.
Missions accomplished.
Our rotor was validated in December through a TEAMER-funded study with the University of Washington. Last weekend, we tested our first full-scale waterproof prototype.
I want to give a huge thank you to the angel investors that made this possible, especially Jeremy Hanks. Before meeting Jeremy, I spent almost two years trying to raise funds without success. Jeremy believed in me and wrote Sitkana’s first check. Within two weeks, I also had checks from Vance Checketts, Steven Larky, Abishai Thomas, Ashby McMullan, Dean DiGiovanni, and Tony DiGiovanni. These investments were later matched by the 49th State Angel Fund.
Thank you all for your early support, and congratulations!
Here is a quick recap of Sitkana’s Pre-Seed round, showing how we went from a 3-pound model to an 85-pound prototype with an optimized rotor
March-April Highlights
Successful Chinook prototype testing (new YouTube video)
Lance was a Top 3 Finalist for the ‘Alaskan Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award
While in Anchorage, Lance met with Senator Lisa Murkowski
Senator Murkowski has been pushing for Alaskan tidal energy for 20 years & she loves our technological approach. She will be an important long-term supporter for Sitkana.
Prototype Testing
Chinook (1.6kW Device)
Key improvements from previous prototype:
Watertight operation
Electricity production
We only have ONE STEP LEFT before we have a usable product: developing an electrical controller
The controller tells the generator how to create maximum electricity
Basically, our rotor produces maximum power at a certain speed, so the generator will apply internal force to maintain that speed
The controller will look at all the forces of drivetrain, along with the power curve results from our University of Washington testing
Fortunately, our pending-grant-partners at Sandia Labs can build this!
Dorado (20W Device)
With the addition of an outrigger, the Dorado maintained stability up to 9mph
We have received feedback that sailors would be interested in this product if it was a compact, low-cost emergency device
With this in mind, the next prototype will have:
Front bow to prevent diving underwater
Reduced size
Reduced cost
Foldable/collapsible components for easy storage
Grants
No news is good news. Responses will come within 90 days of submittal, by June 10.
Next Steps
Design & build electrical controller for the Chinook
Design & build Dorado 3.0
Arrange for open-water studies at the Bourne Tidal Test Site
Seed Raise announcement — coming soon