A kite system having a kite (14) and a hauling rope (15) which extends between the kite (14) and a tow point (16). A marking holder (25) is disposed between the tow point (16) and the kite (14). The marking holder (25) is conceived for changing between an entrained state in relation to the hauling rope (15), and a free-running state in relation to the hauling rope (15). A fitting installation (31) initiates a changeover between the entrained state and the free-running state of the marking holder (25). The invention moreover relates to a method for operating a kite system.

Dynamic allocation of power modules for charging electric vehicles is described herein. The charging system includes multiple dispensers that each include one or more power modules that can supply power to any one of the dispensers at a time. A dispenser includes a first power bus that is switchably connected to one or more local power modules and switchably connected to one or more power modules located remotely in another dispenser. The one or more local power modules are switchably connected to a second power bus in the other dispenser. The dispenser includes a control unit that is to cause the local power modules and the remote power modules to switchably connect and disconnect from the first power bus to dynamically allocate the power modules between the dispenser and the other dispenser.

Methods and systems described herein relate to power generation control for an aerial vehicle. An example method may involve determining an asynchronous flight pattern for two or more aerial vehicles, where the asynchronous flight pattern includes a respective flight path for each of the two or more aerial vehicles; and operating each of the aerial vehicles in a crosswind flight substantially along its respective flight path, where each aerial vehicle generates electrical power over time in a periodic profile, and where the power profile of each aerial vehicle is out of phase with respect to the power profile generated by each of the other aerial vehicles.

Described is an oscillating device for generating electricity from a fluid flow, comprising at least one oscillating part, at least one support, fixed to a reference surface and connected to the oscillating part at an oscillation axis, at least one counter-balancing system connected to, and/or acting on the oscillating part, at least one adjustable profile configured to be at least partially immersed in the fluid flow and movably connected to the oscillating part. The oscillating device comprises an adjustment system configured to change the position of the adjustable profile with respect to the fluid flow between at least one position of greatest resistance and at least one position of least resistance. The invention also relates to an adjustment method for oscillating devices designed to generate electricity, according to which adjustments to the position of the adjustable profile are made as a function of certain parameters, such as the speed and/or the change in direction of the oscillation of the oscillating part, detected by a series of sensors.

Disclosed is a hand held wing rig a center strut of which has recessed grips.

A modular, electricity generating apparatus comprises an elongate, central member comprising a first end and a second end; at least one foil disposed about the central member in fluid interacting relation thereto; the solar foil comprising an outer surface having photovoltaic properties; the first end and the second end dimensioned and configured to be connected to a connecting node; and, the elongate central member at least partially formed of an electrically conductive material and configured to conduct electricity from at least one of the connecting nodes to the other of the connecting nodes.

Method of lifting a wind turbine part (58) at a wind turbine site (1, 2), the method includes: providing a lifting apparatus (60) and a wind turbine part (58) to be lifted; providing a shield (40); providing manipulation equipment (45) associated with said shield (40); and suspending said part (58) from said lifting apparatus (60); moving said part (58) by means of said lifting apparatus (68); the method further including holding said shield (40) proximate and upwind of said part (58) being lifted by means of said manipulation equipment (45). The shield (40) may be held proximate the part (58) being lifted such that it acts to reduce the ambient wind force incident on the part (58). Preferably the method may be implemented such that wind speed conditions (w) at the part (58) being lifted are lower than ambient wind conditions (W) at said site (1, 2). A kite-flying apparatus includes a power kite (40) and associated manipulation equipment (45), including cables (42, 44) at least one steering winch (28, 29), the winch being received in a winching module (26) including a ballast receiving fitment and a winch control system.

Carts with aerofoils move around an elongated, looped track under the force of the wind. Carts are connected to each other in a train on the windward side of the track and collectively rotate gear wheels at the side of the track, via racks mounted on the carts that engage with the gears. The gears ultimately power an electrical generator mounted in the base of the system. The system has multiple tracks stacked one above the other and mounted on a rotatable structure that can be turned to optimize wind energy harvesting. The angle of the aerofoils is adjusted at different locations of the cart on the track when desired. Intervening buffer carts without aerofoils are used to space the carts with aerofoils. The speed of the carts is a fraction of the wind speed.

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.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes at least two towers arranged in each of a first direction and a second direction, each tower having a first end above a second end in a third direction. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a bridling system connecting each of the towers to other towers, the bridling system connected to eachtower above the second end of the respective tower and balancing forces on each tower in the first and second directions.