APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM A TIDAL WATER FLOW

摘要

Apparatus (2) for generating electricity from a tidal water flow, which apparatus (2) comprises a plurality of units (4) which generate electricity, and a base (6) for securing the units (4) to a water bed (8), the apparatus(2) being such that: (i) the units (4) each comprise a housing (10) and a turbine generator (12) which is positioned in the housing (10) and which generates the electricity; (ii) the housing (10) has openings (14, 16) for allowing the tidal water to flow through the housing (10) and rotate the turbine generator (12) in order to cause the turbine generator (12) to generate the electricity; (iii) the housing (10) has at least six sides (18) and is symmetrical in end view; (iv) the units (4) contact each other along at least two adjacent sides (18), whereby the units (4) securely connect to each other and provide support for each other; (v) the base has an upper surface (20) with at least one recess (22) which receives a lower part of at least one of the units (4); and (vi) the recess (22) is of a complementary shape to the shape of the lower part of the unit (4) that is located in the recess (22), whereby a plurality of sides of the unit (4) engage adjacent sides of the recess (24), and whereby the unit (4) in the recess (22) securely connects to the base (6).