Abstract: Power generating equipment includes a support structure adapted to be disposed on the bed of a body of water having a surface above the bed; and a buoyant power generating apparatus having positive buoyancy releasably connectable to the support structure, the power generating apparatus being adapted to be released from the support structure and to make controlled free ascent to the surface of the water following such release.

Abstract: A subsea cable engagement system for connecting at least one cable end connector in communication with a power generation unit to a hub mounted cable connector of a hub. The system comprises a base; and at least one hub. The base comprises an engagement section for receiving a hub(s); and at least one engagement member for engaging a cable-end connector. The hub(s) comprises at least one hub-mounted cable connectors. The engagement member(s) of the base and/or the at least one hub-mounted cable connector are arranged to provide relative movement therebetween for engagement of at least one cable-end connector with at least one hub-mounted cable connector.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting a first connection point with a second connection point, the second connection point being arranged for rotation and translation with respect to the first connection point, the connection system includes a first connection point, a first support surface moveable linearly with respect to the first connection point, a second support surface moveable linearly and rotationally with respect to the first connection point, and a second connection point moveable linearly and rotationally with respect to the first connection point, moveable rotationally with respect to the first support surface, and fixed with respect to the second support surface, and a reverse bend radius cable chain located on the first and second support surfaces, and having a first end connected with the first connection point via a first connector cable, and a second end connected with the second connection point via a second connector cable.

Abstract: An underwater structure includes a power generation unit, which includes a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis, and a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and support housing. The mounting portion defines a substantially continuous mounting surface which extends substantially completely around the mounting portion, and the support housing defines a substantially continuous support surface which extends substantially completely around the support housing. The mounting surface and support surface are arranged to abut one another substantially continuously when the power generation unit is mounted on the support structure. The mounting portion and the support housing are adapted to cooperate with one another for mounting of the power generation unit on the support structure in any polar orientation about the mounting axis.

Abstract: An infrastructure arrangement for use in an underwater power generation installation includes a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and an infrastructure module adapted to house infrastructure equipment for connection to power generating units of the installation. The infrastructure module is releasably engageable with the support structure.

Abstract: A water-based power generating installation includes a water based power generating device operable to derive power from a body of water, and to export that power via a power export cable, and an infrastructure arrangement for providing a power export connection from the installation, and including infrastructure equipment for the installation, which infrastructure equipment serves to connect the power generating device with the power export connection.

Abstract: An underwater structure including a power generation apparatus including a main body; a mounting portion connected to the main body defining a mounting axis; a connection carrier, a connector mounted on the connection carrier; and an actuation mechanism in communication with the connection carrier. The structure further includes a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water; a support housing; a support connection carrier attached to the support housing; and a support connector mounted on the support connection carrier. The mounting portion and the support housing are adapted to cooperate with one another for mounting of the power generation apparatus on the support structure. The connection carrier is releasably engageable with the support connection carrier, such that the connection carrier is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: Power generating equipment includes a support structure adapted to be disposed on the bed of a body of water having a surface above the bed; and a buoyant power generating apparatus having positive buoyancy releasably connectable to the support structure, the power generating apparatus being adapted to be released from the support structure and to make controlled free ascent to the surface of the water following such release.

Abstract: A water current power generation structure including: a power generation unit including a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis; a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and including a support housing; wherein the structure further includes a yaw mechanism for rotating the power generation unit relative to the support structure, the mechanism including: a pinion associated with the mounting portion; and a gear associated within the support housing and arranged to engage the pinion to rotate the power generation unit about the mounting axis relative to the support structure; and a selective engagement mechanism for selectively engaging the yaw mechanism.

Abstract: Power generating equipment comprises a support structure adapted to be disposed on the bed of a body of water, a buoyant power generating apparatus having a center of buoyancy, a winching device releasably engageable with the power generating apparatus, and operable to pay out and to retract a flexible winch tether. The flexible winch tether has first and second portions releasably connectable to one another, the first portion being connectable at one end thereof to the support structure and at a second end thereof to the second portion, and the second portion being attached at one end thereof to the winching device, and being connectable at a second end thereof to the first portion.

Abstract: An underwater structure includes a power generation unit, which includes a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis, and a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and support housing. The mounting portion defines a substantially continuous mounting surface which extends substantially completely around the mounting portion, and the support housing defines a substantially continuous support surface which extends substantially completely around the support housing. The mounting surface and support surface are arranged to abut one another substantially continuously when the power generation unit is mounted on the support structure. The mounting portion and the support housing are adapted to cooperate with one another for mounting of the power generation unit on the support structure in any polar orientation about the mounting axis.

Abstract: A method of installing a structure on a bed of a sea, estuary or river from a floating installation vessel is described. In such a method a plurality of attachment piles and corresponding installation rigs are attached to the structure prior to deployment of the structure. In addition, respective umbilical control cables are connected to the installation rigs prior to deployment of the structure. The structure is deployed from a floating vessel to a bed of a sea, estuary or river, such that, when the structure is located on the bed, the umbilical control cables do not support the structure or installation rigs. A single installation operation for each attachment pile is performed, in which operation an installation rig is activated so as to install fully the corresponding attachment pile in the bed, without removal of the umbilical control cable or the installation rig therefrom.

Abstract: Power generating equipment comprises a support structure adapted to be disposed on the bed of a body of water, a buoyant power generating apparatus having a centre of buoyancy, a winching device releasably engageable with the power generating apparatus, and operable to pay out and to retract a flexible winch tether. The flexible winch tether has first and second portions releasably connectable to one another, the first portion being connectable at one end thereof to the support structure and at a second end thereof to the second portion, and the second portion being attached at one end thereof to the winching device, and being connectable at a second end thereof to the first portion.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling a water current turbine array which includes first and second pluralities of water current turbines operable to generate electricity from a water current. The method includes controlling respective power generation characteristics of the water current turbines in the array so as to maximise power generation of the array as a whole.

Abstract: A method of securing a load bearing structure to the bed of a sea, river or estuary. The method comprises placing the load bearing structure on the bed; forming a pile-receiving hole in the bed by means of drilling equipment which is connected to a surface vessel by flexible lines only so that the weight of the drilling equipment is supported by the bed, the drilling equipment being guided by the load bearing structure, and the load bearing structure resisting any non-vertical loads imparted to the drilling equipment; and withdrawing the drilling equipment and installing an attachment pile within the formed hole.

Abstract: An underwater structure includes a power generation apparatus and a supporting structure. A coupling is provided that allows attachment of the power generating device to the submerged support structure. The coupling incorporates the function of a yaw bearing allowing rotation of the power generating apparatus about a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A turbine assembly comprising a plurality of turbine blades, each blade having a setting angle distribution such that the thrust coefficient of the blade increases with rotational speed of the turbine assembly up to a first rotational speed and decreases significantly beyond the first rotational speed up to a runaway speed for the turbine assembly.

Abstract: A water current generating device is provided that consists of a main body and a horizontal axis rotor attached by a mechanical connection to a fixed support structure. Under the action of one or more hydrodynamic thrusters, the main body of the turbine is rotated about a desired axis of rotation to face the oncoming current flow. The mechanical connection incorporates an appropriate degree of freedom to allow this re-orientation to take place.

Abstract: Power generating equipment comprising a buoyant power generating apparatus and a support structure for the power generating apparatus, which support structure, in use, is disposed on the bed of a body of water, the power generating apparatus comprising a motor-driven winching device having a tether which is connectable at its free end to the support structure whereby retraction of the tether causes the power generating apparatus to be drawn downwardly through the body of water into engagement with the support structure, the power generating apparatus and the support structure being provided with means for aligning and latching the power generating apparatus with respect to the support structure upon engagement with the support structure.

Abstract: An underwater structure includes a power generation apparatus and a supporting structure. A coupling is provided that allows attachment of the power generating device to the submerged support structure. The coupling incorporates the function of a yaw bearing allowing rotation of the power generating apparatus about a substantially vertical axis.