A hybrid modular power system with smart control includes a housing configured for containing multiple power modules. A smart control subsystem manages and balances electrical power input from multiple power sources, including a photovoltaic solar panel array subsystem, a wind turbine subsystem, a genset and a battery array. A mast mounted on said housing is configured for mounting a wind turbine, telecommunications antennae, or both. A method of providing electrical power includes the steps of installing multiple power modules in a housing and managing multiple power sources with a smart control subsystem.

A tower for a wind turbine may include an upper tower portion and a lower tower portion. The upper tower portion may include a tubular tower, and the lower tower portion may include a lattice tower. To improve ergonomics and work safety and make it possible to obtain a structural design with optimized forces, the lower tower portion may include a central tube positioned centrally within the lattice tower. Further, the central tube may have a smaller diameter, at least in certain portions, than at least part of the tubular tower of the upper tower portion. The tower may also include a transition piece between the upper tower portion and the lower tower portion. The transition piece may join the tubular tower of the upper tower portion and the central tube of the lower tower portion.

An apparatus for converting wind energy into electrical energy includes a turbine having a horizontal shaft, a plurality of blades, a blade mount supporting the blade assembly for rotation about the horizontal shaft, and a turbine mount supporting the turbine for rotation about a vertical axis. The blade mount includes a pair of spaced part annular face plates, with a bearing mounted at the opening of each plate. The proximal end of each blade is secured within an airfoil-shaped opening in a mounting block extending between the two face plates. A disc extending from the back of the rear face plate encircles the generator and cooperates with a piston and caliper assembly to function as a brake. The turbine mount includes a connector plate coupled to the turbine, a connector ring connected to the tower, and a pair of bearings mounted above and below the connector ring.

An articulating solar energy and wind power harvesting apparatus optimizes harnessing of solar energy and wind power by rotatably and pivotally articulating a solar thermal collector plate to track the sun, and air foils to follow the changing direction of the wind. The air foils also directionally funnel wind to cool a heat exchange system and the solar thermal collector plate. The solar thermal collector plate captures solar radiation for conversion to electricity. A solar lens directs the solar radiation towards the solar thermal collector plate. Air foils are disposed in a radial, spaced-apart relationship around the solar thermal collector plate, pivoting up to 90 to optimize capture of wind. The solar thermal collector plate and the air foils are controllably articulated up to 360 about a vertical plane, and up to 180 about a horizontal plane to optimize capture of solar radiation and wind.

The present invention relates to a wind turbine system comprising a plurality of wind turbines mounted to a common support structure (4) by a support arm arrangement (10) comprising a mount portion (12)and at least one arm (13) extending from said mount portion and carrying a respective wind turbine (6). Said support arm arrangement (10) is capable of yawing around said support structure (4); and said wind turbine system comprises an improved arrangement for cable guiding in this connection.

The present invention describes a floating yawing spar buoy current/tidal turbine. The spar includes a spreader above the rotor(s) with the spreader tips connected to fore and aft cable yokes that transition to opposing mooring lines connected to anchors on the seabed. The spreader comprises a yaw motor, which drives gears that engage with a ring gear fixed to the outer perimeter of the spar.

A variable level, relatively mobile wind power system consists of small, personal use wind turbines mounted upon an axis without need for a concrete mounting platform. As needed, the axis may be brought to the desired level upon a column and retracted to the ground for servicing. The entire wind power system can also be easily transferred to a different location.

The invention relates to a wind turbine tower access panel, which panel is removably fixable at a service aperture in a tower wall to thereby close said aperture; said access panel being generally planar and extending radially about an axis normal thereto, said access panel comprising a set of two or more fixing elements configured to securely fix said access panel in place at a said aperture; wherein each said fixing element comprises an axial clamp, said clamp comprising an anchor fixed to said access panel, a clamping force adjuster and a clamp head having a clamping surface; said clamp head comprising a relatively deformable resilient material which deforms under an applied clamping load of said clamp thereby applying a clamping force to said tower wall.

A system and method for a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is described which can provide the basis for a new and improved wind turbine design suitable for a range of different power classes such as from 4 kilowatts to 10 megawatts. A vertical blade of chord length C is attached to a central hub via a main support strut of chord length C. The main support strut comprises two sections: a blade-support-section and a counterweight-support-section. Both the blade-support-section and the counter-weight-support-section have a blunt leading edge and a tapered trailing edge with the profile reversing either side of the hub axis. Two control struts comprising aerodynamic profiles support the blade wherein one control strut connects to the upper surface of the main support strut and the other control strut connects to the lower surface of the main support strut hub. The main support strut and the control struts provide lift to the wind turbine and reduce drag. The vertical blade and the main support strut comprise an integrated differential strain gauge, which is linked to a central controller and provides real time data on the integrity of the blade and strut.

The present invention is a wind turbine system with multiple generator modules that maximize the use of the mast of a wind turbine by implementing an electrical generator module with a magnetic assembly. In some embodiments, the system includes a set of blades adapted to rotate on a horizontal axis and coupled to a first rotor. A first generator is coupled to the first rotor and disposed within a housing. The mast of the system extends from the housing and encloses a second generator module. A gearbox module is adapted to engage the first rotor through a first gear shaft and engage the second rotor through a second gear shaft. The gearbox module may be adapted to selectively engage the second generator module when a windspeed exceeds a threshold windspeed. A magnetic assembly disposed within the mast is adapted to induce an electric current.