Scientists develop OWC

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.