Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity from falling material includes a capture wheel arranged to receive a falling material and be rotated thereby. The capture wheel may be mounted on a transportable housing having a generator therein. The housing may be a shipping container and the apparatus may be arranged to fit entirely within the shipping container for transportation. The capture wheel may include a hub comprising a central core encapsulated in a layer of resilient material; a wheel framework extending from the hub, wherein the wheel framework is connected to the resilient layer; and a plurality of bucket sections mounted on the wheel framework and arranged to receive the falling material. The hub may be a tri-layer hub including a central core, a layer of resilient material, and an outer support ring surrounding the layer of resilient material. A method of generating electricity using such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity from falling material includes a capture wheel arranged to receive a falling material and be rotated thereby. The capture wheel may be mounted on a transportable housing having a generator therein. The housing may be a shipping container and the apparatus may be arranged to fit entirely within the shipping container for transportation. The capture wheel may include a hub comprising a central core encapsulated in a layer of resilient material; a wheel framework extending from the hub, wherein the wheel framework is connected to the resilient layer; and a plurality of bucket sections mounted on the wheel framework and arranged to receive the falling material. The hub may be a tri-layer hub including a central core, a layer of resilient material, and an outer support ring surrounding the layer of resilient material. A method of generating electricity using such an apparatus is also disclosed.