News this week

This week EMEC was visited by a group from the National Ocean Technology Centre of China. Mainly engaged in marine monitoring and ocean energy research, the centre is beginning to undertake new work as the Chinese government has turned its attention to marine renewable energy research and management. To further their development plans they were keen to visit and discuss cooperation in marine renewables – a great chance to establish contact between Scotland and China promoting the development of renewables. Accompanied by Scottish Development International, they visited EMEC’s wave and tidal test sites.

Survey work started last week to identify new locations with potential to become test sites for intermediate scale wave and tidal energy devices. Following the announcement of funding from the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change earlier this year, EMEC is looking to develop test sites for smaller prototypes in more gentle conditions. These facilities are seen as offering an extended service to developers in Orkney from late next year, and another stage in the process prior to full-scale commercial deployment at Billia Croo or Fall of Warness sites. We are exploring a number of sites around Orkney, and consulting with users of local waters to better understand any issues affecting possible sites – for more information on the proposed sites, and how to put forward ideas see the related press release.

A few weeks ago EMEC was delighted to have a visit from a BBC News team, preparing renewable energy stories in conjunction with the Copenhagen summit. Environment Correspondent David Shuckman spent a few days in Orkney filming at EMEC, including Aquamarine’s Oyster at Billia Croo and Open Hydro’s turbine at the Fall of Warness. The end result was broadcast on the BBC News on Wednesday 9 December, and also featured on the BBC News website – you can view the story and a short film clip here. This was a nice moment of national recognition for all the pioneering work happening here in Orkney.