Patent ID: 7795748

Claim:
A system for generating electric energy comprising: a reservoir submerged in a body of water at first depth below the water body surface, said reservoir having at least one internal chamber at least partially devoid of water and configured to have a first internal pressure; an electric generator at a second depth above the first depth, said electric generator being connected to and capable of being driven by a water-driven turbine having a water input port proximate to the second depth and having a waste water outlet coupled to the at least one internal chamber; said reservoir being configured such that the first internal pressure is less than hydrostatic pressure at the second depth; whereby water entering the at least one internal chamber flows through the water input port, through the turbine, driving the electric generator; and at least one water conduit having a first intake opening at a third depth below the water body surface and above the second depth, said at least one water conduit having a second opening coupled to the water input port, the at least one water conduit being configured to be located in the body of water such that hydrostatic pressure at the first intake is greater than the first internal pressure; and a turbine waste water exhaust manifold coupled between the water outlet and the first internal chamber: whereby water enters the first intake opening and flows into the at least one internal chamber by flowing through the turbine and driving the electric generator.