The invention provides an environmentally friendly renewable energy
harvesting system for harvesting wind energy on a frozen surface, as in
cold weather climatic regions associated with higher latitudes or higher
altitudes, with snow or ice surfaces. A plurality of ski, skate or runner
supported wings or sails are connected together to form a wind energy
harvesting system, and capture wind energy by appropriate setting of wing
or sail angles of attack so as to drive a cyclic motion that in turn can
drive energy capture means such as electric generator means. The
invention thus provides a wind energy harvesting system which is
supported by a frozen surface, which includes fluid-foil means for
interfacing with an air current such as a wind and which includes energy
harvesting means utilizing periodic motion of the fluid-foil means for
capturing wind energy and converting it into usable energy in a desired
form such as electricity. The present invention is intended to provide
devices, methods and systems for harvesting renewable energy which can be
efficient and cost-effective for small-scale, medium-scale and
large-scale applications, to provide real and substantial benefits to
meet local energy needs while also more broadly serving humanity and our
global environment.