Flexible Oscillating Water Column FlexOWC

Wide-Bandwidth, High-Efficiency Wave Capture

FlexOWC · caisson breakwater

Flexible OWC Breakwater

Waves drive the water column up and down; the membrane in its rigid frame breathes with the chamber pressure while air passes around it to a Wells turbine and generator.

Live readout

Incident wave at wall
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Water column level
+0.00 m
Air flow
·0.0 m³/s
Membrane deflection
+0 mm
Turbine speed
0 rpm
Electrical output0.0kW

Illustrative values for explaining the concept — not device ratings.

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PEAK collaborated with University of Iowa’s Iowa Institute for Hydrodynamic Research (IIHR) to conduct controlled wave tank testing of the Flexible Oscillating Water Column (FlexOWC). The testing compares FlexOWC performance against a standard oscillating water column (OWC).

  • Oscillating Water Column system

    PEAK’s FlexOWC scale‑model device undergoing towing‑tank testing at the Iowa Institute for Hydraulic Research. The image shows the black tubular housing containing the air turbine and electric generator and the circular flexible membrane on the right.

  • Flexible Membrane

    Back view for the PEAK’s FlexOWC scale model. The model is set up at the end of the long towing tank.

  • Last day of experiments at IIHR

    PEAK's founder Dr. Ossama Abdelkhalik (left) and Dr. Hyunse Yoon, Associate Research Scientist at IIHR (right)

  • Initial Airflow Components in Oscillating Water Column

    The caisson structure is shown below the housing unit with the turbine.

Wave tank testing of an oscillating water column incorporating a flexible membrane, FlexOWC.