Oscillating Water Column, Oscillating water columns convert wave motion into airflow, powering turbines for renewable marine electricity.

An Oscillating Water Column (OWC) is a type of WEC that uses the motion of waves to compress and decompress air. The device has a hollow chamber with an opening to the sea below the waterline. As a wave rises, water enters the chamber and pushes the air inside, which then rushes through an air turbine to generate electricity. When the wave recedes, the air is pulled back into the chamber, once again spinning the turbine. This continuous back-and-forth motion of air ensures a constant flow of power.

Furthermore, rising investments from both public and private sectors in research and development, along with government regulations and financial incentives, are accelerating the commercialization of WEC technology. The growing focus on renewable marine energy as a way to power coastal communities and remote locations is also a major catalyst for market expansion.