General Info
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) provides the worlds
only multi-berth, purpose-built, open sea test facilities for wave and tidal
marine energy converters.
Our operations are spread over three sites:
- Wave test site at Billia Croo, Mainland Orkney
- Tidal test site in the Fall of Warness off the island of Eday
- Office and data facilities in Stromness ( EMEC Location Map )
Orkney was chosen because of its natural and manmade resources.
The wave test site receives uninterrupted Atlantic waves of up to 15m. At
the Eday site, tidal steams run at up to 4m/sec (8kn) and are among the fastest
in Europe. Orkney is also the most northerly community connected to the UK
national grid, has excellent harbour facilities and a significant professional
community experienced in working with renewable energy.
The main services on offer when testing at EMEC are:
- Independent assessment of devices’ energy conversion capabilities,structural performance and survivability
- Real-time monitoring of environmental conditions
- Grid connection and ROCs (Renewable Obligations Certificate) registration