Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for generating energy. According to one representative embodiment, a main housing includes an air chamber having an open bottom, and a paddlewheel is attached to the main housing so that the paddlewheel is free to rotate and thereby generate kinetic energy. An anchor is attached to the main housing, and an electrical generator which converts the kinetic energy of the paddlewheel into electrical energy is coupled to the paddlewheel. An upper portion of the paddlewheel is enclosed by the air chamber. When the main housing is submerged underwater and maintained in a level orientation, air within the air chamber remains trapped within the air chamber, thereby reducing resistance to rotation of the paddlewheel.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods, apparatuses and techniques for generating energy from water current. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus includes: a paddlewheel having multiple individual paddles, an axis of rotation, a front side that is forward of the axis of rotation, and a rear side that is behind the axis of rotation; and a covering structure having a front portion that (a) covers a first part of the front side of the paddlewheel, leaving a second part of the front side of the paddlewheel uncovered by said front portion and (b) extends a distance forward of the front side of the paddlewheel, with the front portion of the covering structure being tapered, becoming thinner as it extends further forward of the paddlewheel.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for water-based material transportation, such as a system that includes: (a) a robotic submersible propulsion unit having: a thruster, a computer controller that is coupled to and configured to control the thruster and that causes the robotic submersible propulsion unit to follow a predetermined course, and an attachment fitting; and (b) a submersible transport barge having: a storage tank, a locking port at a first end of the submersible transport barge that detachably connects to the attachment fitting of the robotic submersible propulsion unit, and a loading/downloading connection at a second end of the submersible transport barge that detachably connects to a transfer connection dock for transferring material between the storage tank and the transfer connection dock.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods, apparatuses and techniques for generating energy from water current. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus includes: a paddlewheel having multiple individual paddles, an axis of rotation, a front side that is forward of the axis of rotation, and a rear side that is behind the axis of rotation; and a covering structure having a front portion that (a) covers a first part of the front side of the paddlewheel, leaving a second part of the front side of the paddlewheel uncovered by said front portion and (b) extends a distance forward of the front side of the paddlewheel, with the front portion of the covering structure being tapered, becoming thinner as it extends further forward of the paddlewheel.

Abstract: Provided are systems, methods and techniques by which a wind-powered energy generating platform, secured to an anchor, can pull (or winch) itself beneath the surface of the water and thereby avoid most of the significant effects of storms and waves. In more particularized aspects, a variable-buoyancy anchor is utilized, thereby facilitating the construction and transportation of the entire assembly.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, a system for generating energy, in which a row of wind turbines is disposed on the top side of an elongated horizontally oriented barrier, with electrical generators coupled to and driven by the turbines.

Abstract: Provided are systems, methods and techniques by which a wind-powered energy generating platform, secured to an anchor, can pull (or winch) itself beneath the surface of the water and thereby avoid most of the significant effects of storms and waves. In more particularized aspects, a variable-buoyancy anchor is utilized, thereby facilitating the construction and transportation of the entire assembly.

Abstract: Provided are static and free-floating breakwater apparatuses that utilize a rocking panel (or beach) to dissipate wave energy. At the same time, such rocking motion can in certain embodiments be used to generate electrical power. Generally speaking, the breakwater apparatuses use a buoyant element, such as an open-bottomed hollow chamber and/or a ballast tank to resist the wave's force.

Abstract: Provided are a variety of variable-buoyancy structures, such anchors, together with methods and apparatuses for fabricating the same in the water. Generally speaking, such methods and apparatuses use a variable-buoyancy platform-based mold, initially floating, that includes multiple forming cells for fabricating the resulting variable-buoyancy structure. As a result, the variable-buoyancy structure produced has multiple corresponding structural cells having open bottoms. However, the structure may be fabricated so as to include a flexible or rigid container within some or all of such open-bottom cells.