A floating platform for a wave energy converter (WEC), comprising a hollow body, in which energy converting machinery may be positioned, characterised in that the floating platform has an underside facing the water in use, an upper side facing the opposite direction and a first long-side forming a front and a second long-side forming a back, and two short-sides, wherein at least one aligning means is provided, the aligning means is configured to align the front of the floating platform with the wave front, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of the wave, wherein the front of the floating platform is at least 20 m long.

A floating platform for a wave energy converter (WEC), comprising a hollow body, in which energy converting machinery may be positioned, characterised in that the floating platform has an underside facing the water in use, an upper side facing the opposite direction and a first long-side forming a front and a second long-side forming a back, and two short-sides, wherein at least one aligning means is provided, the aligning means is configured to align the front of the floating platform with the wave front, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of the wave, wherein the front of the floating platform is at least 20 m long.

The present application pertains to systems and methods for storing and generating power. In one embodiment the system pertains to a first storage reservoir near the surface of a body of water and configured to store a fluid which has a lower density than water. A second storage reservoir is located below the surface of the body of water and configured to store a fluid which has a higher density than water. A pump, generator, and the first and second reservoir are operatively connected such that power is stored by displacing the fluid which has a higher density than water in the second storage reservoir by pumping the fluid which has a lower density than water in the first storage reservoir to the second storage reservoir. Power is generated or discharged by allowing the fluid which has a lower density than water in the second storage reservoir to return to the first storage reservoir. The fluid which has a higher density than water may be in liquid form.

A circular dam for generating, accumulating, storing, and releasing electrical energy comprises a wall defining a water reservoir built in an abundant body of water such as a sea or an ocean. Water inside the water reservoir is kept at a water level below the water level outside the wall so as to create a water level difference sufficient to operate one or more water turbines positioned across the wall of the water reservoir. Excess electrical energy from other renewable sources of electricity such as wind, solar power, or supplied by a local power grid is used to operate water turbines as water pumps to lower the water level inside the reservoir during times of peak supply of electricity. Water is drained from outside the wall back into the water reservoir to generate electrical energy by flowing over a plurality of water turbines. Generated electricity supplements electrical power for the local power grid during times of high demand.

A circular dam for generating, accumulating, storing, and releasing electrical energy comprises a wall defining a water reservoir built in an abundant body of water such as a sea or an ocean. Water inside the water reservoir is kept at a water level below the water level outside the wall so as to create a water level difference sufficient to operate one or more water turbines positioned across the wall of the water reservoir. Excess electrical energy from other renewable sources of electricity such as wind, solar power, or supplied by a local power grid is used to operate water turbines as water pumps to lower the water level inside the reservoir during times of peak supply of electricity. Water is drained from outside the wall back into the water reservoir to generate electrical energy by flowing over a plurality of water turbines. Generated electricity supplements electrical power for the local power grid during times of high demand.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for pumping or removing a fluid from a region within or on top of or in contact with a water or liquid body and applications for said systems and methods. Some embodiments may also relate to anti-fouling or reducing fouling structures like docks.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for pumping or removing a fluid from a region within or on top of or in contact with a water or liquid body and applications for said systems and methods. Some embodiments may also relate to anti-fouling or reducing fouling structures like docks.

Wave energy convertor (WEC) 100 and related control methods. The WEC has at least one cell 102 of variable volume containing an energy transfer fluid and at least partially bounded by a movable flexible membrane 106, and the at least one cell has a substantially constant membrane pressure differential during at least part of a respective cell volume deflation or inflation stroke. Pressure differential between the exterior and interior surfaces of the membrane of the respective cell can be maintained as stable and constant as possible for a substantial part of the volume change during deflation and inflation of the membrane/cell. Membrane and/or cell inclination angle can range between 35 and 50. Chord ratio of the flexible membrane of at least one cell can be between 1.01 and 1.3 during operation. A control surface 108 can modify the available membrane surface or limit of operation of the membrane for operation and/or modify an internal wall or surface of the cell.

Wave energy convertor (WEC) 100 and related control methods. The WEC has at least one cell 102 of variable volume containing an energy transfer fluid and at least partially bounded by a movable flexible membrane 106, and the at least one cell has a substantially constant membrane pressure differential during at least part of a respective cell volume deflation or inflation stroke. Pressure differential between the exterior and interior surfaces of the membrane of the respective cell can be maintained as stable and constant as possible for a substantial part of the volume change during deflation and inflation of the membrane/cell. Membrane and/or cell inclination angle can range between 35 and 50. Chord ratio of the flexible membrane of at least one cell can be between 1.01 and 1.3 during operation. A control surface 108 can modify the available membrane surface or limit of operation of the membrane for operation and/or modify an internal wall or surface of the cell.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for pumping or removing a fluid from a region within or on top of or in contact with a water or liquid body and applications for said systems and methods. Some embodiments may also relate to anti-fouling or reducing fouling structures like docks.