Scientists develop OWC

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta

Indonesia has abundant natural resources, but hardly anyone turns to the ocean to overcome the power scarcity in a nation whose power demands increase incessantly.

As part of efforts to find alternative sources of electrical energy, the Yogyakarta-based Coastal Research and Development Body (BPDP) recently launched Oscillating Water Column (OWC) technology they have been working on since 2003 that is able to convert ocean waves into a power source.

"The fluctuation of ocean waves, the movement, and the ebbs and flows of tides, all of them can be converted into electrical power," said Aprijanto, engineer and coordinator of the OWC research at BPDP.

The waves on a beach could become a source of power as it is relatively continuous being 10 seconds to 15 seconds apart, and with a height of one meter to three meters. The average power potential is 18 kilowatts per meter.

Ocean waves enter the OWC columns and make the water fluctuate, forcing the air above it to move the turbine, which is connected to a generator, producing electricity, said Aprijanto while explaining how the new technology worked.

Aprijanto's colleague Aris Subarkah said that OWC technology requires a minimum power of 15 kilowatts per meter of ocean waves, with the columns planted around eight meters to 15 meter deep. The prototype installed at Parangrucuk Beach, Gunung Kidul regency, was three meters and four meters in height and was able to produce 522 watts of power.

"Converting ocean wave energy to electrical wave using columns or tubes is a new technology here, but countries like Japan and Ireland have already applied it," he said.

The researchers said that compared to hydro or steam power plants, OWC technology was still less economical. The technology still needs to be developed further. However, he said, they require government support.