Method and Plant for Exploitation of the Energy of a Water Current

A method for exploiting energy of a water current with an energy plant which is placed in the water current, the energy plant having at least one rope extending around at least two turning stations, and there being, arranged along the rope, at least one at least partially submerged foil which is approximately symmetrical around its chord, and the velocity and direction (Vc) of flow of the water together with the moving speed and direction (Vs) of the foil giving a resulting water flow velocity and direction (Vr1, Vr2) acting on the foil, the method comprising:

• pivoting the foil until it has a first angle of attack to the resulting water flow direction (Vr1) when the foil is being displaced co-currently;
• pivoting the foil until it has a second angle of attack to the resulting water flow direction (Vr2) when the foil is being displaced counter-currently;
• and
• letting a controllable switching body pivot the foil into its active position in co-current displacement.