A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion system includes hubs that are rotatable with respect to a hub carrier and support one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and a track orientation control mechanism (“TOCM”) for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions. Each ECP has opposed surfaces and leading and trailing edges and may have one or more lips projecting from one of the opposed surfaces, wherein the one or more lips comprise at least an inboard end lip extending transversely from an inboard end of the plate. Articulation of each ECP is controlled by a follower within a track that is rotatable with respect to the hub carrier, and service lines pass through a chase or bore passing through the hub carrier to bring power and/or control signals to the TOCM for effecting controlled, powered rotation of the track.