ITEG
Quick facts
- Project: ITEG (Integrating Tidal Energy into the European Grid)
- Timescale: 2017 – 2023 (funded)
- Post-project demonstration: November 2025
- Funder: Interreg North-West Europe
- Funding: EU funding – €6.46 m/ Total budget – €11.79 m
- Consortium: EMEC (Lead partner), Orbital Marine Power, Energy Valley, Université de Caen Normandie, Université le Havre Normandie, Energy Systems Catapult, Elogen (formerly ArevaH2Gen), Smart Hydrogen Consulting, Ghent University, AD Normandie
Project overview:
ITEG set out to tackle grid export limitations in remote communities by developing and validating an integrated solution combining tidal energy, hydrogen production, and energy storage. The project focused on Eday, Orkney, using the predictable tidal flows at EMEC’s Fall of Warness test site to pioneer a flexible, low-carbon energy system.
EMEC’s role
EMEC was the lead partner for this project, managing the consortium and overall project delivery.
Throughout the project EMEC also delivered the following:
- Technical delivery: Designed and deployed the EMS control philosophy demonstrated during testing.
- Site preparations and operations: Hosted and operated the integrated demonstration at our onshore site at Caldale. Preparing the site for deployment of new technologies with safety measures, including hydrogen blast modelling and ATEX compliance.
- Communications: Led the delivery of project communications and dissemination, coordinating outreach, webinars, and knowledge sharing.
World-first demonstration
Although the funded project ended in 2023, ITEG delivered a world-first integrated trial in November 2025, combining:
Orbital O2 tidal turbine (2 MW)
EMEC’s 670 kW electrolyser (ITM Power)
Vanadium flow battery system (48 units from Invinity Energy Systems)
The smart Energy Management System (EMS) control philosophy was developed and tested, demonstrating energy flows between grid export, hydrogen production, and battery storage. Multiple operational scenarios were tested, proving the flexibility of the integrated system and smoothing tidal variability to enable on-demand hydrogen production.
Take a closer look at EMEC’ hydrogen production site on Eday and the low carbon technologies involved in the project through this 360 video.
Project outcomes
- Proof of Concept: Validated the 3-in-1 system integrating tidal energy, battery storage, and hydrogen production.
- Operational Insights: Completed all planned scenarios, including rapid response to an electrolyser trip, proving resilience and highlighting automation opportunities.
- Scalability Potential: Demonstrated a pathway for similar systems in other grid-constrained regions.
- Knowledge Legacy: Lessons learned on battery management, electrolyser controls, and safety mitigations will inform future projects.
Impact
ITEG has helped to demonstrate ocean energy technologies and open new market opportunities for tidal energy through alternative offtakes. The demonstration supports decarbonisation goals, energy resilience for remote communities, and provides a blueprint for integrated renewable systems in other coastal communities around the globe.
Follow ITEG
Webinars
A four-part series was developed between 2021 and 2023 as part of the project. The webinars feature various guest speakers who provide insight into the ITEG project and related research in tidal energy, hydrogen production and end use applications as well as the discussion around the scale up.
Project news
- 3 December 2025: EMEC completes 3-in-1 tidal energy, hydrogen and battery demonstration
- July 2021: Orbital O2 exports clean power at EMEC
- April 2021: Orbital O2 tidal turbine arrives in Orkney
- April 2021: Orbital Marine Power launch O2 in Dundee
- 14 August 2019: Orbital 02 to be Built by TEXO Group in Dundee
- 02 August 2019: ITEG Project Progress – Orbital Contract Faun Trackway for Anchor Fabrication of the 02 Turbine
- November 2018: Orbital marine Power Unveil Design for Orbital 02 Tidal Turbine
- June 2018: €11 million ITEG Project to Integrate Tidal Power, Grid and Hydrogen
