EMEC was established to help the evolution of marine energy devices from the prototype stage into the commercial market place. We are at the forefront of the development of marine-based renewables – technologies that generate electricity for homes and businesses by harnessing the power of waves and tidal streams.

Based at Stromness in Orkney, EMEC has an international role to play in driving the advancement of tidal and wave technologies.

As the first centre of its kind to be created anywhere in the world, we offer developers the opportunity to test full scale prototype devices in unrivalled wave and tidal conditions. Wave and tidal energy converters are connected to the National Grid via seabed cables running from open-water test berths. Testing takes place in a wide range of sea and weather conditions, with comprehensive round-the-clock monitoring.

A world first was achieved when Pelamis, a marine energy converter developed by Edinburgh-based Pelamis Wave Power, generated electricity for the National Grid from EMEC’s wave test site off Billia Croo, Stromness. A second test site for tidal devices off the island of Eday has recently been opened with the first developer, Dublin based OpenHydro, already installed.

To date, Government and other public sector organisations have invested around £15 million in the creation of the centre and its two marine laboratories.

Awards

Best Renewable Innovation Award, sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, at the Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards, December 2007.

Commitment to Research and Development Award, sponsored by ITI Energy, at the Northern Star Business Awards, September 2007