The power of the waves can be used to produce electricity. Most systems concentrate on creating electricity directly from the force of water. However, the system below shows how air pressure is used to drive turbines, producing electricity. This is called an ‘Oscillating Water Column’. As the wave enters the lower chamber, it forces air into the upper chamber and this causes the turbines to rotate.
The advantage of this type of system is that the propellers are out of the sea water which means they are not affected by the salty water.