The invention provides a method for computational fluid dynamics and apparatuses making enable an efficient implementation and use of an enhanced jet-effect, either the Coanda-jet-effect, the hydrophobic jet-effect, or the waving-jet-effect, triggered by specifically shaped corpuses and tunnels. The method is based on the approaches of the kinetic theory of matter, thermodynamics, and continuum mechanics, providing generalized equations of fluid motion. The method is applicable for slow-flowing as well as fast-flowing real compressible-extendable fluids and enables optimal design of convergent-divergent nozzles, providing for the most efficient jet-thrust. The method can be applied to airfoil shape optimization for bodies flying separately and in a multi-stage cascaded sequence. The method enables apparatuses for electricity harvesting from the fluid heat-energy, providing a positive net-efficiency. The method enables efficient water-harvesting from air. The method enables generators for practical-expedient power harvesting using constructive interference of waves due to the waving jet-effect.

A transportation vehicle may be equipped with electrical energy harvesting systems to harvest electrical energy for use. By way of example, in the transportation vehicle, a Venturi system may be used to receive an air flow and the speed of the air flow increase in a constricted area of the Venturi system, the air flow containing a large amount of kinetic energy. A plurality of electrical energy harvesting systems is disposed in the Venturi system and is configured to convert the kinetic energy contained in the accelerated air flow into electrical energy that can be used to power on-board electronics as well as one or more on-board batteries in the transportation vehicle, as the transportation vehicle is in motion.

A runner for a hydraulic turbine configured to reduce fish mortality. The runner includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub. Each blade includes a root connected to the hub and a tip opposite the root. Each blade further includes a leading edge opposite a trailing edge, and a ratio of a thickness of the leading edge to a diameter of the runner can range from about 0.06 to about 0.35. Further, each blade has a leading edge that is curved relative to a radial axis of the runner.

The Wind Wall is a solid structure composed of one or more Wind Cells, arranged adjacently, one next to the other, in an orderly and symmetrical way, in such a way that as a whole they form a continuous structure of Wind Cells, sustainable by itself and modular along the three physical dimensions, where each Wind Cell has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, where the internal surface comprised from the inlet opening to the outlet opening has the shape of an extrados (upper face) blade profile in revolution, and where the inlet opening and the outlet opening are of equal or substantially equal dimensions.

The Wind Cell, being the constructive component of the Wind Wall, is an aerodynamic structure specially designed to increase the wind speed within a critical space and, therefore, increase the wind power available to be used by the rotor of a Wind Turbine. The increase in wind speed is achieved through the deliberate creation of environments with high pressure differentials and, at the same time, environments dedicated to maintaining laminar wind flow and mitigating turbulent flow.

The Wind Wall is by itself a new generation of Wind Systems based not only on the aerodynamic efficiency of the Wind Turbine, but also on the aerodynamic efficiency of the structure and environment surrounding the Wind Turbine. In this sense, the new generation of Wind Systems, based on the application of the Wind Wall, will be able to increase the wind speed and, therefore, increase the density of the underlying power, given the same wind resource available in nature, allowing this way a general increase in the capacity of generating electric power.

The present disclosure relates to wind turbines comprising a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower, a wind turbine rotor with a plurality of blades, and a wind turbine generator operatively coupled with the wind turbine rotor. The wind turbine further comprise one or more auxiliary wind energy converters arranged with the nacelle. The present disclosure further relates to methods for providing power to an auxiliary system of a wind turbine.

A multistage wind turbine or network of wind turbines with improved and optimized wind-directing, wind-shaping, and wind-power conversion features indicates that the shapes of these features directly affect the ability of the multistage wind turbine to use the power of moving air, such as wind, to spin a rotor and create torque on a rotor shaft to generate electricity. The wind-power-conversion mechanical efficiency described significantly improves upon previous designs by conversion of wind energy into electrical power at a superior price-to-performance ratio compared with existing alternative energy technologies.

An accelerated and/or redirected flow arrangement, optimally serving as a wildlife and/or debris excluder (WDE), is used in combination with a turbine-like device having an inlet end and an outlet end for fluid flowing therethrough, e.g., a hydro-turbine. The arrangement includes at least a forward part designed to be placed in front of a fluid inlet of a turbine-like device and configured to produce at least one of the following effects on the fluid: (a) imparting a redirection of the fluid; and/or (b) accelerating the flow velocity of the fluid, as it flows through the forward part. Turbine-like devices having both a forward part and a rearward part of flow arrangement are disclosed, as well as a method of enhancing turbine performance.

An accelerated and/or redirected flow arrangement, optimally serving as a wildlife and/or debris excluder (WDE), is used in combination with a turbine-like device having an inlet end and an outlet end for fluid flowing therethrough, e.g., a hydro-turbine. The arrangement includes at least a forward part designed to be placed in front of a fluid inlet of a turbine-like device and configured to produce at least one of the following effects on the fluid: (a) imparting a re-direction of the fluid; and/or (b) accelerating the flow velocity of the fluid, as it flows through the forward part. Turbine-like devices having both a forward part and a rearward part of flow arrangement are disclosed, as well as a method of enhancing turbine performance.

A fluid power-extraction machine is immersed in an ambient flow of a fluid, captures (and extracts energy from) a portion of the fluid, and discharges it back into the ambient flow. The machine includes a housing bounding a fluid intake inlet and including an ambient flow deflector, a downstream body arranged rearwardly from the deflector and forming a discharge outlet between the deflector and the downstream body, and a power extraction device in a fluid flow channel communicating from the fluid intake inlet to the discharge outlet. The deflector outwardly deflects and accelerates a portion of the ambient flow adjacent to the discharge outlet. A mixing surface of the downstream body extends outwardly and rearwardly from the discharge outlet, mixing the accelerated flow, the discharged flow and the ambient flow together along the mixing surface. A backflow preventer of the downstream body prevents wake backflow from impeding discharge of spent flow at the discharge outlet.

The electrical power generation system using renewable energy is particularly adapted to provide electrical power to an independent or remotely situated electrical device such as a street light, emergency call box, or illuminated road sign. The system includes a pivotally mounted venturi with vanes assuring that the venturi is oriented into the prevailing wind. A vertical axis wind turbine is installed in the venturi throat, and drives a shaft extending through the column upon which the venturi is installed to a generator at the base of the column. The venturi and vanes may include photovoltaic cells thereon for further electrical power. The venturi may be heated from a geothermal source, and may include a variable diameter internal wall to adjust the cross-sectional area of the throat of the venturi. The use of functionally graded materials and other phase change materials may also improve the performance of the device.