System and method for generating electricity using grid of wind and water energy capture devices

A system for maintaining buoyant first and second energy-capture devices in general relative position in water in the presence of surface waves, said system comprising:

• the first and second energy-capture devices, each device including:
• an at least partially submerged floating mast;
• a mass distribution configured to bias the mast into a substantially vertical alignment when in water;
• a floating buoy above the mast;
• a support structure configured to allow the floating buoy to move up and down in parallel with the mast in response to wave motion from surface waves;
• a generator configured to generate electricity as the buoy moves up and down with the wave motion;
• a positioning member connecting the first and second energy-capture devices to form an array, the positioning member comprising:
• (A) a first hinge connection to the buoy of the first energy-capture device;
• (B) a second hinge connection to the buoy of the second energy-capture device;
• and
• (C) a connecting body between the first and second hinge connections that includes a piston and/or spring that resists compression while permitting limited relative surface displacement between the first and second energy-capture devices.