Patent ID: 8564151

Claim:
A system for generating electricity, the system comprising: a barge; a frame mounted on the barge, wherein the frame defines a first portion of the frame and a second portion of the frame, the first and second portions being hingedly connected together such that the first portion may swing upwardly relative to the barge; a paddlewheel rotationally mounted on the first portion of the frame; an electric generator mounted on the second portion of the frame; means for coupling the paddlewheel to the generator for driving the generator for generating electricity; an upright support mounted on each of the first and second portions of the frame; a guy wire coupling together the upright supports; and a winch configured for reeling in or extending the length of guy wire between the upright supports, such that the first portion of the frame swings upwardly relative to the barge when the guy wire is reeled in by the winch.