Power generation devices and methods for use with toilets is disclosed. A number of power generation devices are provided that can be used in combination to power various features in a toilet which will be particularly useful for portable toilets that are off the grid. The power generation devices and methods include, for example, using a cell battery inside a toilet water source, a wind turbine, solar panels, and piezoelectricity. The features include, for example, lighting up the toilet with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to make it easier for users to find the toilet, an audio/video setup for entertainment, and a toilet status light indicator to let the next user know when the toilet paper is out.

A method of retrofitting a wind turbine (10) having a wind turbine tower (12) and a first energy generating unit (14) includes rotating at least a portion of the wind turbine tower (12). The wind turbine tower (12) is secured to a foundation (16) and has a first position on the foundation (16). The method includes rotating at least a portion of the wind turbine tower (12) from the first position to a second position. In the second position, the portion experiences less stress when the wind turbine (10) is operated in the same prevailing wind. The wind turbine tower (12) may have at least two sections (12a, 12b, 12c) and wherein rotating includes rotating one section relative to another section. One section may be secured to a foundation (16). In that case, rotating may or may not include rotating the section secured to the foundation (16). Rotating the tower may occur after the first energy generating unit (14) is removed from the tower and may include rotating the wind turbine tower by an angle from 90°±15° relative to the first position.

Method for installing a hollow concrete tower comprising the following steps: a) arranging a platform on a site; b) arranging on said platform at least one partial full-segment mould in a position such that the segment axis of the segment being cast in said mould is substantially vertical; c) pouring concrete inside said arranged partial mould(s); d) allowing the poured concrete to set to working strength, generating corresponding segment(s); e) removing the arranged mould(s) with concrete set to working strength, to leave the corresponding segment(s) exposed; f) assembling said corresponding exposed segment(s); and g) optionally, repeating steps b)-f) at least once.

A structure, in particular, a wind turbine tower (1), which is pre-tensioned with at least one tensioning element (3), has a foundation (2), a concrete tower section (4), in particular, consisting of a plurality of precast concrete elements (5), as well as a head piece (6), wherein the tensioning element (3) at least at one of its ends has a tendon anchor (7, 7a, 7b). The tendon anchor (7, 7a, 7b) has an accommodation (8) in which a first end (10a) of an anchor rod (9) is fastened, in particular screwed in. A second end (10b) of the anchor rod (9) is anchored to the foundation (2) or to the head piece (6). In a corresponding method for manufacturing a structure, a first end (10a) of an anchor rod (9) is fastened, in particular screwed in an accommodation (8) of a tendon anchor (7, 7a, 7b), and a second end (10b) of the anchor rod (9) is anchored to the foundation (2) or to the head piece (6).

The present invention relates to a wind turbine blade with a blade structure comprising a surface and a load-carrying spar supporting a shell structure, wherein the blade structure comprises functionalized graphene-containing material. The present invention relates to a wind turbine concrete tower comprising a load-carrying structure extending vertically to a height, comprising functionalized graphene-containing material. The invention further relates to use of functionalized graphene-containing material in wind turbine parts. The invention further relates to a method for retrofitting a blade structure and the use of functionalized graphene-containing material in a repair system for wind turbine tower foundations. Furthermore the invention relates to use of at least one sensor containing graphene.

Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.

A material (such as potassium hydroxide or ammonia) capable of reacting with ambient carbon dioxide to produce fertilizer is placed in the path of ambient air movement. Desirably the material is associated with a fabric which in turn is associated with a vane of a vertical axis wind turbine, the turbine performing useful work as well as supporting the material which produces a fertilizer. A misting system controlled by a controller may automatically apply a water mist to the material if the humidity is below a predetermined level. The fabric with produced nitrogen and/or potassium fertilizer may be placed directly into contact with soil, or shredded first, or burned to produce energy and an ash (and the ash applied to the soil). The wind turbine may have a convenient, versatile mounting system with three adjustable legs supporting a central component, and the spokes of the wind turbine may be slotted for easy assembly with vanes.

The present invention relates to a water intrusion prevention system (1) mounting on a turbine blade (100) of a wind turbine. In order to exhibit excellent weather protection, the water intrusion prevention system (1) comprises a connecting means (10) adapted for removably fixing the water intrusion prevention system (1) on the turbine blade (100), further a collar sheet (20) disposed on the connecting means (10) and having a collar portion (22) extending away from the connecting means (10), the collar portion (22) constituting an upper collar sealing round about against an outer surface (101) of the turbine blade (100) if the water prevention system (1) is mounted on the turbine blade (100). In addition, the water intrusion prevention system (1) includes an umbrella sheet (30) disposed over the connecting means (10), the umbrella sheet (30) covering an upper side of the pressing means (10) and protruding laterally downwards away from the connecting means (10) round about the turbine blade (100) if the water prevention system (1) is mounted on the turbine blade (100). The umbrella sheet (30) sealingly adjoins the collar portion (22).

A vertical wind turbine that includes a plurality of vertical vanes which can be rotated independently of one another about a respective vane rotational axis by a motor and which are mounted on a common circular path in a rotatable manner about a vertical rotor rotational axis. A method for operating a vertical wind turbine. Angular positions are specified for vertical wind turbine vanes which are mounted in a rotatable manner about a respective vertical rotor rotational axis and which can be rotated about a respective vane rotational axis by a motor. The vertical wind turbine is operated in a particularly efficient and material-preserving manner in that the angular positions of the vanes are specified by at least one respective pitch motor which at least partly supports the respective vane.

A wind harvesting assembly for a wind turbine, having: a Venturi tube having a hollow interior having a first air pressure; an open top end having a first diameter; an open bottom end having the first diameter; a tube length spanning between the open top end and the open bottom end; and a constricted section located above the bottom end, the constricted section adapted to increase a velocity of air passing through by having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; a plurality of vertical wind turbine blades arranged around the Venturi tube, an outlet disbursement blade assembly disposed below the bottom open end of the Venturi tube and a port fan positioned coaxially with the Venturi tube.