About Us

High Quality Tidal Solutions

Verdant Power is Dedicated to Advancing Tidal Energy

Verdant Power is at the forefront of advancing the global tidal energy industry to make tidal energy technology available worldwide. We focus on validating the unique benefits of clean, renewable, and reliable tidal energy and creating lasting partnerships to expand the marine energy industry.

Experts in Marine Renewable Energy

Verdant Power adapts innovative tidal turbine system technology to develop marine power projects with partners to generate clean energy

With over 20 years of experience, Verdant Power has developed industry-leading capabilities in tidal power generation:

Marine Renewable Energy Systems Design, installation and operations
Compliance with and setting the bar for International Electrical Commission (IEC) Marine Energy standards for Power Performance from tidal energy turbines
Verdant Power Resource Assessment and site evaluation
Project Licensing and compliance through adaptive management and environmental monitoring

Verdant Power conducted in-water testing of its turbine system, successfully demonstrating the technology as an efficient source of clean energy achieving a 98% availability.

Verdant Power’s Tidal Turbine System is a turnkey solution that harnesses the kinetic energy of water currents exceeding 1.0 m/s to generate clean electricity. Each system features a three-bladed horizontal-axis turbine with a composite rotor that operates at a slow and steady pace, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The drive train and generator are housed within a sealed nacelle, mounted on a pylon connected to a seafloor base, allowing the turbine to align naturally with tidal flows.

A notable innovation is Verdant Power’s TriFrame™—a steel, triangular frame that supports three turbines. This design facilitates efficient maintenance through a “retrieve and replace” approach, enabling turbines to be serviced onshore and swiftly redeployed. This strategy reduces operational downtime and lowers the levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

Collectively, these advancements position Verdant Power’s technology as a scalable and efficient solution for renewable energy generation from tidal currents.

Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) Project

The RITE Project was the first commercially licensed tidal power initiative in the United States, located in the East Channel of New York City’s East River. Using Verdant Power’s Free Flow System and TriFrame™ Mount, the project successfully harnessed tidal currents to generate clean energy.

Key achievements include:

First Commercial License: Obtained a 10-year Hydrokinetic Pilot Project License from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and a 401 Water Quality Certification from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Technological Milestones: Reached Technology Readiness Level 9 and became the first tidal turbine system to receive third-party performance verification under the IECRE System.
Industry Recognition: Awarded the National Hydropower Association’s 2021 Outstanding Stewards of America’s Waters (OSAW) Award.

The project was successfully decommissioned in 2021 after meeting its operational goals.

Morlais Development Zone

The Morlais Development Zone is an ambitious tidal-stream energy project off the coast of Holy Island, Anglesey in Wales, UK, with the potential to generate up to 240 MW of clean electricity. Developed by Menter Môn in partnership with the Welsh government and other stakeholders, the project aims to benefit local communities, boost the economy, and support the transition to renewable energy.

Verdant Power, operating as Verdant Isles Ltd in collaboration with Belleville Duggan Renewables, secured a berth in the Morlais zone and plans to deploy its tidal energy technology in phases.

Key aspects of the project include:

Phased Implementation: Beginning with a 5 MW pilot project, Verdant Power is conducting resource assessments and front-end engineering design to prepare for larger deployments.
Contracts for Difference (CfD): In September 2023, Verdant Isles Ltd was awarded a 5 MW CfD under the UK Government’s Allocation Round 5, ensuring financial support for the initial phase.

The Morlais Project represents a major step toward commercializing Verdant Power’s tidal energy technology and advancing sustainable energy solutions.

The Team

Joseph Helpern has 36 years of experience as a physicist and has previously held leadership positions in several companies. Dr. Helpern received his PhD from Oakland University, his MA (organic chemistry) from The University of North Carolina, and his BA from Case Western Reserve University.

Joseph Helpern

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jennifer is a seasoned pharmaceutical industry professional having worked for 15+ years in research and development for Eli Lilly. She is a certified Six Sigma Blackbelt who is skilled in organizational management and corporate strategy, planning, and execution.

Jennifer Sessions

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STRATEGY AND EXECUTION

Mr. Gelnaw has significant experience in the financial services industry having held senior positions at Lehman Brothers, Salomon Brothers, Arthur Andersen and Deutsche Bank. He is a graduate of Georgetown University where he earned a BSBA in Accounting.

Mark Gelnaw

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brittany has many years of experience across a wide range of industries as an Administrative Professional in supportive roles, most recently in the field of Architecture in New York City. She graduated from West Virginia University with a M.S. in Integrated Marketing and B.A. in Advertising & Communications.

Brittany Bradley

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Jeb Hamel is a Marine Project Manager. He holds a BSE and MSE from the University of Michigan in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Jeb has previously worked at Bristol Harbor Group, Inc., where he focused on naval vessel structure and systems design, and shipyard construction oversight.

Jeb Hamel

MARINE PROJECT MANAGER

Bruce Phillips has over 35 years of global industrial experience in senior management, operations, and business development. Mr. Phillips has an Industrial Management degree from Purdue University.

Bruce Phillips

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Joseph Klein has over 20 years of experience in investment banking, with a concentration on providing capital raising and capital structure advice to public companies. Mr. Klein holds an MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Yale University.

Joseph Klein

ADVISORY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Glenn Smith is a managing partner of Verto Impact Partners, a specialist advisory and management platform focusing on decarbonization. He is an experienced executive with more than three decades of international knowledge of both private and public companies.

Glenn Smith

TECHNICAL & BUSINESS ADVISOR

Mary Ann Adonizio is a civil/environmental engineer with over 40 years of experience in renewable electric generation and transmission, including project development, feasibility analysis, capital construction and operating project management. Ms. Adonizio holds a BS in Environmental Engineering from Penn State University.

Mary Ann Adonizio

TECHNICAL ADVISOR

Jonathan Colby is actively involved in Standards and Conformity Assessment through the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). He was previously with Verdant Power for 15+ years, most recently as the Director of Technology Performance where he played a lead role at Verdant’s Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) Project.

Jonathan Colby