Wave Site Activity
The
wave site at Billia Croo near Stromness, Orkney consists of four berths
located approximately 2km off shore and in 50m of water. The berths are
connected by cables to the national grid via the substation which is
set into the cliff.
Pelamis Wave Power (PWP) first installed their ‘Pelamis 750’ on site in August 2004. The successful supply of electricity from Pelamis was a world’s first, and one that EMEC is proud to have assisted. Tests are ongoing as part of their development programme.
Stand alone mechanical testing was undertaken by AW Energy of Finland in late 2005 and the remaining berths are provisionally allocated pending contractual completion with other developers.
EMEC has achieved accreditation as a measurement laboratory with the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) for measurement of wave energy, electrical energy (as voltage and current) and for meteorological data including temperature, barometric pressure and rainfall. The accreditation is against the international standard ISO 17025:2005.
EMEC is starting a project of further ADCP deployment to increase our knowledge at the wave test site and also continuing wave rider buoy deployment.
Further works are in the process of being planned at Billia Croo, to accommodate a nearshore device due to be tested at EMEC.