Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric power from water currents comprises a housing having at least one pair of channel, at least one pair of turbine assemblies and at least one pair of generator assemblies. Each channel of the pair has an axial intake, an axial discharge opening and a side intake. Each side intake extends along a length of the channel and faces in an upstream direction to receive a side inflow of water and directs the side inflow up against an interior surface of the channel to create a vortical flow structure having a low pressure core. The vortical flow structures are produced downstream of the turbine assemblies to effect an increase in a pressure drop across each of the turbine assemblies. The apparatus also has partition extending between the channels near said axial intakes.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electric power from water currents comprises a housing having at least one pair of channel, at least one pair of turbine assemblies and at least one pair of generator assemblies. Each channel of the pair has an axial intake, an axial discharge opening and a side intake. Each side intake extends along a length of the channel and faces in an upstream direction to receive a side inflow of water and directs the side inflow up against an interior surface of the channel to create a vortical flow structure having a low pressure core. The vortical flow structures are produced downstream of the turbine assemblies to effect an increase in a pressure drop across each of the turbine assemblies. The apparatus also has partition extending between the channels near said axial intakes.

Abstract: A wind power plant having a tower (12) open at the top and provided with a side inlet (13) for the wind for generating a cyclone in the tower and a substantially horizontal turbine (19) that has inlets (21, 22) through the base and outlet to the center of the cyclone in the tower and that is driving a generator (16). The tower is rotatable and has a non-circular elliptical shape viewed in the horizontal plane. This shape increases the power of the wind power plant as compared to a tower with a circular shape. During operation the tower is turned so that the wind inlet is always facing the wind.