The development of the IHL wave-current turbine to convert the ocean energy from both wave and current

Abstract

Indonesia has abundant of renewable sources of energy, among others: geothermal, solar, water, wind and marine therefore the promotion of the utilization of the renewable and sustainable energy is urgent. Since 2006 Indonesian Hydrodynamic Laboratory (IHL) BPPT has conducted research and developed a technology converts the ocean energy resources into electricity, the kinetic energy of marine current and the potential energy of wave. The prototype of marine current turbine, 2 kW and 10 kW respectively, had been installed in Larantuka Strait in 2010 and 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/user/erw4ndi). Since mostly the maximum speed of the marine current of many straits in Indonesia are in order 1.0 - 2.0 m/s, we developed the turbine prototype that can convert not only the kinetic energy of marine current but also the potential energy of the wave, called as wave-current rotor turbine, in 2013. The current usually mixes with wave height with order 0.4 - 0.8 m. A 2 kW prototype was installed under Suramadu (Surabaya - Madura) Bridge close to pier no. 56. The prototype showed a good performance especially in converting the kinetic energy of marine current. The research was continued in 2014-2016 under Ministry of Research and Technology (INSINAS RISTEK) budget scheme. Some innovations have been done to improve the performance of turbines.