A wind turbine structure comprises a surface defining at least in part an opening, and a closure system provided adjacent the opening. The closure system includes an inflatable closure that is inflatable into a deployed state in which the inflatable closure engages the surface so as to cover at least a portion of the opening.

Disclosed is an underwater water transfer apparatus deployable within a water body. The apparatus includes a closed receptacle suspended underwater at a first depth, the receptacle adapted to receive ambient water at the first depth therewithin as a result of either the relative movement of the receptacle with respect to the ambient water or vice versa, or both, a tube in fluid communication with the receptacle, and a heat exchanger submerged at a second depth. The heat exchanger extends from an extremity of the tube so as to alter the temperature of the incoming water from the tube, before being released at the second depth, to be closer to that of ambient water at the second depth.

Provided is a vertical axis wind power generation device including a wind turbine of a vertical axis type including a support column, a main shaft disposed on an upper portion of the support column so as to be rotatable, a plurality of blades coupled to the main shaft through arms; a power generator; and a container having a standard dimension for freight transport. The wind turbine is accommodatable in a folded or disassembled state in the container together with the power generator. The container is provided with a support-column fixing part configured to fix the support column of the wind turbine to the container. The container may include an inclining mount inside the container, the inclining mount being configured to accommodate a folded body of the wind turbine.

A wind turbine generator nacelle (14) comprises a nacelle frame (44) having a first forward hub end and a second aft end. Dedicated transport fittings (46) are positioned at each of the ends of the nacelle frame (44). The fittings (46) are adapted to be engaged by transport frames (86) on first and second transport trailers (80) for supporting the nacelle frame (44) for transport by the trailers (80). A service platform (20) is mounted to the transport fittings (46) on the aft end of the nacelle frame (44) such that the service platform (20) is cantilevered off of the aft end of the nacelle frame (44).

A blade transport holder for supporting multiple blades is provided according to the present application. The blade transport holder includes a first support assembly and a second support assembly. The first support assembly includes a first support frame and a first support member rotatably arranged at the first support frame, and the first support member is configured to fix root portions of the multiple blades; the second support assembly includes a second support frame and a second support member rotatably arranged at the second support frame, the second support member faces the first support member, and the second support member is configured to fix tip portions of the multiple blades. With the blade transport holder according to the present application, multiple blades can be transported at one time by a single blade transport holder.

A method of transporting a first vessel having wind turbine components to an offshore installation vessel. The method includes (i) securing the first vessel to a second vessel using a first tow line attached to a front end (or bow) of the first vessel, and (ii) securing the first vessel to a third vessel using a second tow line attached to a back end (or stern) of the first vessel. The method further includes transporting the first vessel to the offshore installation vessel using the second vessel and the third vessel secured to the first vessel via the first and second tow lines, respectively. The method also includes securing the first vessel to the offshore installation vessel. The first vessel can include one or more fender walls. The first vessel can be secured to the offshore installation vessel using one or more mooring lines.

A wind turbine blade handling apparatus for rotating and lifting a blade. The apparatus includes a root device having a root support member with a concave upper surface and rollers having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade and configured to rotate the blade; a base, and a scissor-lift mechanism with intersecting struts which converts from a lowered position wherein the struts are disposed in a generally coplanar configuration, to an elevated position wherein the struts are disposed in an angled configuration.

The offshore jack-up has a hull and a plurality of moveable legs engageable with the seafloor. The offshore jack-up is arranged to move the legs with respect to the hull to position the hull out of the water. The method comprises moving at least a portion of a vessel underneath the hull of the offshore jack-up or within a cut-out of the hull when the hull is positioned out of the water and the legs engage the seafloor. A stabilizing mechanism mounted on the jack-up is engaged against the vessel. The stabilizing mechanism is pushed down on the vessel to increase the buoyant force acting on the vessel.

An energy storage includes a first container including an inner space, a plurality of pressure vessels for compressed air that are stacked in rows inside the inner space of the first container, a tank containing a heat transfer fluid arranged inside the inner space of the first container, a compressor adapted to compress air, and a plurality of pneumatic ducts for compressed air connected to the compressor. The plurality of pneumatic ducts includes a plurality of heat exchangers adapted to enable a heat exchange between compressed air contained in the plurality of pneumatic ducts and heat transfer fluid contained inside the tank. The plurality of pneumatic ducts is connected to the plurality of pressure vessels supplying pressure vessels with compressed air, an electric turbine connected by the plurality of pneumatic ducts with the plurality of pressure vessels supplying compressed air for rotating the electric turbine to generate electric current.

A system includes a float including a drivetrain, a reaction structure coupled to the drivetrain by a tendon, and an extension spring having a first end coupled to a fixed point on the tendon and a second end configured to be disposed at a fixed location relative to the drivetrain. The extension spring is configured to experience an elastic force in response to tension on the first end of the extension spring away from the drivetrain.