A water reservoir system for generating, accumulating, storing, and releasing electrical energy comprises a reservoir wall built in a shallow body of water such as a sea or an ocean with a height exceeding the outside water level by about 10-25 m, thereby defining an interior of the water reservoir. Excess electrical energy from other renewable sources of electricity such as wind, solar power, or supplied by a local power grid is used to operate water pumps to fill the interior of the water reservoir with water during times of peak supply of electricity. Water is drained from the water reservoir to the outside body of water and generates electrical energy by flowing over a plurality of water turbines, thereby generating electricity and supplementing electrical power for the local power grid during times of high demand. Additional interior sources of renewable energy may be used to supplement external sources of electrical power in operating the system of the invention.

The present invention provides improved methods, apparatus, and manufacture for an Archimedes Screw using a new blade design to increase the volume of water raised or lowered by about 9%-18%. The invention, in part alters the shape of the blades within the screw from a helicoid shape to a new shape called a “makroid” by the inventor. A helicoid blade in an Archimedes Screw has been used since antiquity and has not changed since then, limiting the efficiency. The makroid shape allows a greater quantity of water to be contained within the screw.

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.

The present invention relates to an inlet for a hydrodynamic screw, the inlet comprising—a first end connectable to a hydrodynamic screw, the first end having a first opening—a second end for transporting water through the inlet towards the first end, the second end having a second opening, —an inlet body connecting the first end and the second end, the inlet body comprising a hollow that extends through the inlet body and connects the first opening and the second opening, wherein the inlet has a first diameter at the first opening and a second diameter at the second opening, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, and wherein the nlet further comprises a ridge arranged on an inner surface of the hollow in a helix, the ridge having a height that increases towards the first end. The invention also relates to a hydrodynamic screw.

A screw system including a plurality of segmented blades. Each blade segment of the plurality of blade segments including a mounting portion and a vane portion. The mounting portion, having a helical length, for removably attaching the blade segment. The vane portion extending from the mounting portion along the helical length thereof. The vane portion having a front surface that is not parallel to a back surface from the mounting portion to a tip of the blade segment, along the helical length.

A water reservoir system for generating, accumulating, storing, and releasing electrical energy comprises a reservoir wall built in a shallow body of water such as a sea or an ocean with a height exceeding the outside water level by about 10-25 m, thereby defining an interior of the water reservoir. Excess electrical energy from other renewable sources of electricity such as wind, solar power, or supplied by a local power grid is used to operate water pumps to fill the interior of the water reservoir with water during times of peak supply of electricity. Water is drained from the water reservoir to the outside body of water and generates electrical energy by flowing over a plurality of water turbines, thereby generating electricity and supplementing electrical power for the local power grid during times of high demand. Additional interior sources of renewable energy may be used to supplement external sources of electrical power in operating the system of the invention.

A system for capturing the energy of fluid currents, using axial turbines with one free end and the other end fastened to a mechanical element or electric generator, characterized in that the turbines include coil springs, helically twisted plates or crossbeams, complete helical turbines with their shafts or just their blades, which capture the energy of wind or water, with their shaft or fastened end actuating an electric generator or mechanical system. In all cases the blades around the rotation axis of the turbines have an inclination such that they generate a torque in the same direction and the turbines are automatically oriented by the water or air currents, like weather vanes.

A floating screw turbine device with adjustable rear deflectors/diffusors is disclosed. Three pontoons, spaced apart, carry water ducts in which screw turbines are mounted. Screw turbines, mounted in a V configuration, have mirror symmetrical pitches of the screws measured over the centre of symmetry that passes through the central pontoon. Such a configuration minimizes the vibration of the device. Rear deflectors/diffusors have an adjustable pitch relative to the floors of the water ducts by which they can affect the water flow velocity through the water ducts. In one embodiment, the optimum pitch is selected according to the previously performed computational fluid dynamics simulation for the device, where the pitch is changed using hydraulic or electromechanical actuators. In another variant an artificial neural network is taught to model a global function of the system dynamics in order to achieve optimal operation.

A screw system including a plurality of segmented blades. Each blade segment of the plurality of blade segments including a mounting portion and a vane portion. The mounting portion, having a helical length, for removably attaching the blade segment. The vane portion extending from the mounting portion along the helical length thereof. The vane portion having a front surface that is not parallel to a back surface from the mounting portion to a tip of the blade segment, along the helical length.

A screw system including a plurality of segmented blades. Each blade segment of the plurality of blade segments including a mounting portion and a vane portion. The mounting portion, having a helical length, for removably attaching the blade segment. The vane portion extending from the mounting portion along the helical length thereof. The vane portion having a front surface that is not parallel to a back surface from the mounting portion to a tip of the blade segment, along the helical length.