The present invention generally relates to a support structure for Tidal Energy Converters (TECs), the support structure being for completely submerged deployment. A preferred support structure includes a single stanchion 4, extending in a first direction, and a cross arm 5, extending in a second direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The cross arm 5 is statically attached to the stanchion 4, and can support a plurality of TECs 3. A support structure also includes a support frame 7, which extends further in a third direction, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, than in the second direction. The support frame 7 is operable to anchor the support structure to a seabed.

Disclosed is a system for underwater exploration using a submerged device towed by a surface vessel, the submerged device being connected to the vessel by a towing line and including equipment supplied by the electricity, characterized in that the submerged device includes at least one device for the local production of electrical energy, the device being an electric hydrogenerator and in that the towing line has no electrical supply cable connecting the vessel to the submerged device.

A mooring system (10) for use in mooring a marine device (24) within a fluid (12) subject to flow comprises a mooring line (16) to be secured to an anchor (18) and defining a tether point for a marine device (24), and a loading assembly (20) secured to the mooring line (16) and configured to generate hydrodynamic lift when exposed to flow to apply tension to the mooring line (16). In embodiments of the invention the loading assembly (20) is configured to also generate a buoyancy force, such that tension is applied to the mooring line (16) by a combination of the hydrodynamic lift force and the buoyancy force.

A submersible telemetry platform includes a body and lift-generating surface(s) configured to provide lift to the body when a fluid flows thereacross. The platform includes attitude control surface(s) for controlling a pitch of the body in such a way that modifies the lift characteristics of the body. A control device is coupled to the attitude control surface(s) for controlling the lift attitude control surface(s). A base is configured to be anchored to a subsurface location and is coupled to the telemetry platform by a tether in such a way that the telemetry platform has freedom-of-movement about a common center point at the base. Telemetry equipment is coupled to the body of the telemetry platform for enabling wireless communication with at least one remote device. The telemetry platform is controllable to rise from a submersed position in a body of liquid to a surface of the body of liquid.

Provided is an underwater floating-type ocean current power generation device whereby cyclical directional vibration of a floating body of the ocean current power generation device, caused by shadow moment, can be suppressed. An underwater floating type ocean current power generation device includes ocean current power generation device main bodies, each including a rotor of a power generator housed in a nacelle, and a structure. The rotor is configured to be driven by a rotary blade protruding outward from the nacelle. A twin drum floating body capable of floating underwater is constituted by the structure and the ocean current power generation device main bodies joined to the left and right of the structure. The underwater floating type ocean current power generation device is moored to an ocean floor by a mooring rope.

A wave energy converter (WEC) 10 has a body portion 18 with a face 20 and at least one flexible membrane 16 bounding at least part of a volume of a fluid to form a variable volume cell 22. The membrane is inclined from vertical providing a flow smoothed passage for wave energy from a wave 14 to travel over the WEC whilst deforming the at least one membrane towards the body to compress the fluid. The cell(s) can be submerged or floating. The inclination of the at least one membrane assists conversion of potential and kinetic energy of the wave to pressure within the fluid. Fluid pressure within the WEC cell(s) and/or system can be optimised to suit wave and/or performance conditions.

A floating-body type wind turbine power generating apparatus includes a floating body floating on a water surface; and a wind turbine disposed on the floating body and configured so that at least a part of the wind turbine is submersible. The wind turbine includes: at least one blade; a hub to which the blade is mounted; a tower erected on the floating body; a nacelle disposed on the tower; a first electrical device disposed inside the hub or the nacelle; and a second electrical device connected to the first electrical device via a cable and configured to be movable relative to the tower in a vertical direction so as not be submerged upon submergence of the wind turbine.

A water mill, power generator, for use underwater, has a flexible support shaft which permits the water current to orient the turbine axis substantially parallel to the direction of flow so that the force of the water on the blades is optimized for a given turbine, without the need for slip ring style connections between the generator at the turbine and the 5 anchored base. Optionally, the design features fins or cowlings on the flexible support shaft to further improve reorientation of the turbine with the water current or flow acting as the source of power; and/or output power links or power conditioning systems at the anchored base. The generators may be selected to meet low rotation operating conditions, and the entire system may be designed for particular ocean bottom and/or current parameters applicable to the 10 deployment.

A submersible power plant and a method for providing a submersible power plant. The submersible power plant includes an anchoring provided at a minimum depth and a vehicle including at least one wing. The vehicle is arranged to be secured to the anchoring of at least one tether rotatably attached to the anchoring by an anchoring coupling and attached to the vehicle by at least one vehicle coupling. The submersible power plant is completely submerged in a body of fluid both during operation and non-operation of the submersible power plant and the tether has an unextended tether length between 2-20 times a wingspan of the wing, specifically between 3-12 times the wingspan of the wing, more specifically between 5-10 times the wingspan of the wing.

A gyrating wave power plant, comprising a body (1) floating on water with a main plane which in calm water is substantially vertical. The body is moored in an orientation with the main plane transverse to the propagation direction of waves. The body has its upper and lower sections provided with arched fins (2, 3). The fins (2) in the body's upper section curve downward when proceeding towards side edges of the body, and the fins (3) in the body's lower section curve upward when proceeding towards side edges of the body. The arched shape of the fins (2, 3) is an oval-shaped spiral with respect to a lateral swaying axis (A) of the body, which is perpendicular to the main plane.