Prototipe Energi Gelombang Laut Menggunakan Oscillating Water Column (OWC)

Abstract

The utilization of renewable energy sourced from the ocean has become an important alternative to overcome the energy crisis and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. One of the innovations developed is a wave energy power plant prototype using Oscillating Water Column (OWC) technology. This prototype is designed to convert the kinetic energy of ocean waves into electrical energy through the movement of a water column that generates airflow to drive a turbine. This study aims to evaluate the performance of the OWC prototype under various wave conditions and water volumes, as well as to analyze their effects on turbine rotational speed and generated voltage. The test results show that wave height and wavelength significantly affect the efficiency of the prototype. Under optimal wave conditions, the prototype was able to generate a maximum voltage of 1.32 V and a turbine rotational speed of up to 215.3 rpm. These findings indicate the great potential of OWC technology as an environmentally friendly wave energy power generation solution, which is feasible to be further developed on a larger scale in the future.