A team of government and industry leaders are set to visit Scotland to plan for the development of marine energy in Japan's eastern seaboard.

Iwate Prefecture was one of the areas worst affected by last year’s tsunami and catestrophic events at Fukushima nuclear power station.

The planned visit to Scotland follows an invitation from Finance Secretary John Swinney aimed at supporting Japan’s focus on developing alternative energy generation.

Mr Swinney met with Yoshiharu Ueno, deputy governor of Iwate Prefecture, and suggested that a delegation should visit Scotland to witness at first hand world leading facilities in the development of marine energy.

Following the Fukushima disaster, Japan has increased its focus on renewable energy.

A partnership was announced last month between EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre, and the Ocean Energy Association of Japan. The aim is to develop Japan’s first marine energy test centre.

Leading Japanese company Kawasaki Heavy Industries has also announced plans to test a tidal energy system and carry out vital technology development at EMEC.

Mr Swinney said: "Scotland supports the people of the Iwate Prefecture following last year’s tragic events, and we are offering assistance to help Japan further develop its marine energy ambitions.

"The visit to Scotland will allow Iwate to gather experience and knowledge of our marine energy policy, planning and technology development.

"The European Marine Energy Centre’s unrivalled expertise has already been recognised through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ocean Energy Association of Japan to share Scottish expertise in marine innovation."

Professor Takeshi Kinoshita, chairman of Ocean Energy Association of Japan, said: "The Japanese government has become very optimistic about the potential for marine energy.

"We have signed an MOU with the European Marine Energy Centre and are looking forward to their valuable advice as we undertake a wide-reaching survey in Iwate prefecture.

"The survey will look at all the issues and possibilities as we seek the right location, facilities and management for a marine energy test site. We also need to consider how to make the site attractive to businesses, to ensure it is economically viable once established and that taxpayers’ money is used well."

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

The European Marine Energy Centre is to begin consultations on the expansion of its pioneering facilities in response to rapidly growing demand for its full-scale test sites.

The move comes as one of Europe's largest electricity producers, Vattenfall, was confirmed as the latest utility to secure a test berth at EMEC's wave energy test site, where it plans to trial a next generation Pelamis P2e device.

Major utilities E.ON UK and ScottishPower Renewables are already committed to testing their own Pelamis P2 wave energy converters at Orkney-based EMEC, which will operate in tandem as a twin-machine wave farm.

Neil Kermode, managing director at EMEC, said: "It is great to know that our facilities are attractive to the major utility companies, who are demonstrating a real commitment to marine renewables in testing these innovative technologies.

"This should instil further confidence in the value of the marine energy industry for potential investors."

EMEC's 14 full-scale test berths are the first and only accredited facilities of their kind in the world, and the centre's unrivalled knowledge and experience is highly sought after.

The centre is now discussing its options with industry stakeholders and authorities, and while the talks are still at an early stage, expansion is now a major focus to ensure the centre can continue to meet the sector's increasing needs.

"The initial public investment and years of hard grind to establish EMEC are now really paying off," added Mr Kermode.

"The influx of developers that has been witnessed over the last couple of years has been astounding, and the signing of the latest berth is a significant milestone for the centre.

"Ultimately, the focus of the expansion will be determined by consultation with stakeholders to assess current and future requirements, but the development of berths suitable for testing small demonstration arrays is a real possibility.

"If the full potential of the industry is to be realised, there is a need to understand how arrays are to be built and operated, and if EMEC can ease the path to commercial deployment for developers, then we will."

EMEC’s client list now boasts developers spanning the globe, including Aquamarine Power, Wello Oy, Seatricity, OpenHydro, Atlantis Resources Corporation, Hammerfest Strøm, Voith Hydro, Tidal Generation Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Bluewater Energy Services and Orkney-based Scotrenewables.

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

A project to provide six new industrial units for the renewable energy sector in Orkney has been completed.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) invested £2.95 million, including £1.18 million from the European Regional Development Fund, to create the units on a vacant industrial site next to Hatston Pier, Kirkwall.

Each unit provides workshop, storage and office accommodation to meet the needs of tidal energy developers using the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) test site off the island of Eday.

Established with HIE’s backing in 2003, EMEC is helping establish Orkney as a global centre for marine energy research and development. Worldwide, it is the only accredited wave and tidal test centre for marine renewable energy.

The development of the units follows consultation with Stromness-based EMEC, which had identified a clear need for new facilities to service the needs of its developers. Hatston presents an ideal location for those testing at EMEC’s Fall of Warness sites off Eday.

HIE is taking out a 99 year lease on the 2.5 acre site, which is owned by Orkney Islands Council. EMEC itself will move into one of the units next month and there is already interest from developers.

When fully occupied, the six units are expected to support up to 35 jobs. Each has been designed flexibly so it can be adapted to the needs of individual occupants.

Ken Grant, HIE's Area Manager for Orkney, said: "It is already well known that Orkney is a world class location for cutting-edge wave and tidal energy technology research and development.

"To reap the benefits for our economy, we must ensure the infrastructure is in place, and up till now there has been a gap in the provision of suitable premises for tidal energy developers in the Kirkwall area.

"Now that the facilities have been completed, we can ensure that the area meets the needs of this emerging sector, and EMEC is able to develop as an organisation, respond to new opportunities and maintain Scotland’s position at the forefront of this emerging industry."

Neil Kermode, managing director at EMEC said, "These units form an integral part of EMEC and Orkney's support for international developers, upon which the future potential of wave and tidal energy production is dependant.

"We are extremely grateful to HIE for taking the lead in providing these much needed facilities at a time when there has been an obvious lack of suitable premises.”

For further detailed information on the units, interested parties should get in touch with Harvey Stevenson at HIE: harvey.stevenson@hient.co.uk

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

The Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre is to take part in a major international collaboration to develop a similar venture in Japan.

EMEC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ocean Energy Association of Japan (OEAJ).

This offers the potential for EMEC to provide advice and support on the design, set up and operation of the Japanese Marine Energy Centre (JMEC).

The partnership will play an integral role in heping Japan develop viable alternatives to traditional fossil and nuclear power generation in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

EMEC's involvement further strengthens the close working relationship already established between Scotland and Japan and follows an announcement that Kawasaki Heavy Industries will test a newly developed tidal energy system at EMEC.

Experts from EMEC are uniquely placed to advise their Japanese colleagues having successfully supported the deployment of more grid-connected devices at Orkney's wave and tidal testing facilities than at any other single site in the world.

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, said: "Scotland is blessed with some of the world's greatest green energy resources offshore.

"Through EMEC’s unrivalled expertise and the critical mass of companies now developing wave and tidal technologies in Scotland, we are leading international efforts to harness the unbridled energy of the seas to deliver safe, secure and sustainable energy.

"This new partnership between Scotland and one of the world's great industrial powerhouses is very welcome, given our shared heritage for innovation and engineering. Just as a Scot, Richard Henry Brunton, helped Japan build a network of lighthouses to protect sailors from the perils of the sea in the late 19th century, our two nations are now working together to harness those very same forces of nature to generate clean energy."

Richard Morris, commercial director at EMEC, said: "We are honoured to be working in partnership with the Ocean Energy Association of Japan, and look forward to developing a long and prosperous relationship which will drive forward marine innovation in the region.

"EMEC is uniquely placed in terms of providing consultancy support to countries wishing to set up marine energy test sites and this is an excellent opportunity for Scotland to assist and work alongside our colleagues in Japan."

Professor Takeshi Kinoshita, chairman of OEAJ, said: “We are very pleased to be working with EMEC, the world's most experienced marine and tidal test facility, to provide advice and support on the design, set-up and operation of the Japanese Marine Energy Centre."

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

Finnish renewable technology developer Wello has announced that its Penguin wave energy converter is ready for full-scale deployment at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre.

Extensive trials have been completed to ensure the device, developed during 2010-11 and due to be installed at EMEC's wave test site at Billia Croo by the end of March, is ready for testing at sea.

The Penguin device, designed to produce up to 500 kilowatts (KW) of sustainable power through wave energy conversion, has been granted permission for full-scale deployment by the Government agency, Marine Scotland, after the technology was verified by leading certification body Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

Aki Luukkainen, Wello's chief executive officer, said: "We are excited to confirm our readiness to move to full-scale operations after achieving success in model testing, and are extremely pleased by the short timescale within which we have been able to move forward to full-scale deployment.

"Successful testing of this device at EMEC would mean the full scale Penguin generator is capable of deployment in larger wave energy parks worldwide.

"The team at EMEC has offered us tremendous support, which has helped us to reach this stage within such a short space of time."

Stuart Baird, operations director at EMEC, said: "We are delighted that Wello has reached this stage in their testing programme.

"This is a major milestone for them, and we look forward to seeing the Penguin installed at our wave test site at Billia Croo."

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

Britain could become a leading exporter of wave and tidal power equipment and expertise, according to a new report by the UK Government's Energy and Climate Change Select Committee.

The committee made a visit to Orkney as part of their inquiries into the future of the marine renewables sector and has concluded that up to 20 per cent of the UK's electricity could eventually come from this reliable and predictable low-carbon source.

The MPs point out that technologies that can harness the power of the sea to generate electricity are still in their infancy.

But with the largest wave and tidal resources in Europe, developing a thriving marne energy industry could also bring economic benefits to the UK.

The report also highlights how UK companies could export equipment and components for marine devices to other markets, and also provide specialist skills and expertise, such as offshore surveying.

Tim Yeo, chair of the Committee, said: "Britannia really could rule the waves when it comes to marine renewable energy.

"We are extremely well placed to lead the world in wave and tidal technologies, which could potentially bring significant benefits in manufacturing and jobs, as well an abundant supply of reliable low-carbon electricity.

"A more visionary approach from the Department of Energy and Climate Change could help to boost confidence and drive the pace of development."

The UK is currently the world leader in the development of wave and tidal energy technologies.

Of the eight full-scale prototype devices installed worldwide, seven are in the UK - and most of them in Orkney waters.

The committee says this success is the result of a number of factors - an abundant natural resource, a long history of academic research, world-class testing facilities and a strong skills base in other maritime industries.

During their time in Orkney, the MPs met with representatives from the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), the marine renewables sector and Orkney Islands Council. They discussed the experiences to date of developing wave and tidal energy in Orkney and the challenges that the industry is facing .

They also visited EMEC's wave test site and substation at Billia Croo, the Lyness marine renewables support base and the Hatston Pier development in Kirkwall.

Mr Yeo added: "It should be a priority for the Government to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of developments in this technology and does not allow our lead to slip."

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

New funding has been announced to support the development of wave and tidal energy generation.

In total, £6 million is available through the WATERS 2 initiative to encourage the evolution of commercial marinerenewables technologies.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Scotland is leading the world in the development of marine renewable energy.

"We will continue to work with our enterprise agencies, SDI (Scottish Development International) and the EuropeanMarine Energy Centre (EMEC), to provide the optimum conditions for wave and tidal developers to pioneer the commercial generation of clean, green energy from our seas.

"This latest funding round follows the success of our earlier WATERS support to help developers bring their devices to full-scale testing."

The first round of WATERS funding included a £3.15 million contribution towards Aquamarine Power's Oyster project at EMEC in Orkney.

After the intial testing of a prototype device, three next-generation Oyster 800 machines will be linked in a demonstration array in near shore waters at EMEC's wave test site at Billia Croo. The first has already been installed.

To reduce the cost of developing wave and tidal technologies, the new funding will help promote research and development activities in Scotland aimed at bringing low-cost marine energy devices to the commercial market place.

WATERS 2 is a collaborative venture between Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: "With £6 million to award, we can help advanced wave and tidal technologies reach the next stage of commercial exploitation."

The aim is to support the creation of technologies with global potential and secure the fabrication and deployment of wave and tidal stream devices in Scotland.

Alex Paterson, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, added: "The Highlands and Islands are already leading the world in marine energy development.

"We have seen the deployment of a growing number of innovative wave and tidal devices at EMEC. The announcement of WATERS 2 will enable developers to further their research and development towards the deployment of arrays, particularly in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters."

The overall aim of the WATERS 2 funding is to enable Scottish developers and supply chain companies to capture an increased share of the growing UK, European and global marine energy market, which could realise £4 billion for Scotland’s economy by 2020.

Further information can be found at www.scottish-enterprise.com/wave-and-tidal-energy-fund

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

Overseas wave and tidal energy technology developers have until the end of February to apply for funds to help them access "scale" test facilities at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre.

Global marine research organisation MaRINET has offered to cover the costs of using the new test sites for smaller scale marine energy devices.

The offer is open to non UK-based wave and tidal energy conversion companies, SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) and research groups – with applications to be made by February 29.

The first centre of its kind, EMEC offers developers the opportunity to test devices in world-class conditions in the seas around Orkney.

The centre's scale test sites were opened in 2011, and allow prototype marine energy technologies to undergo sea trials in more gentle conditions than those experienced at its main wave and tidal test sites.

Matthew Finn, research and project coordinator at EMEC, said: "The funding scheme operated by MaRINET offers technology developers an opportunity to deploy their devices at facilities where they may not otherwise be able to secure test time.

"Our scale sites include berths with moorings foundations for wave and tidal machines, specially designed test support buoys which can measure and dissipate energy, and also an area of seabed for rehearsal of deployment techniques – a vital resource for developers seeking to prove their devices in the marine environment."

EMEC is a partner in the MaRINET initiative, a marine renewable energy infrastructure network funded by the European Commission (EC), formed to accelerate the development of the sector.

It brings together 28 partners spanning 12 countries and offers access to 42 world-class marine testing facilities covering all scales.

In additional to covering facility costs, MaRINET also provides a contribution towards travel and subsistence costs for users of the initiative.

Interested companies can apply for funding via www.fp7-marinet.eu. Further information on the EMEC's wave and tidal facilities can be downloaded from http://www.emec.org.uk/scale_sites.asp.

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

Scotland’s first near shore demonstration wave power array has been approved by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.

Two new Oyster wave energy converters will be added to an existing device at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre, to allow developers Aquamarine Power to test all three as an array.

Each of the machines has a capacity of 800 kilowatts (kw), bringing the total capacity of the array to 2.4 megawatts (MW).

Based at EMEC's test site at Billia Croo, this will be the first near shore wave array in Scotland to be connected to the National Grid, and will have the capacity to supply enough electricity for more than 1,000 homes.

Mr Ewing said: "I am delighted to grant consent to these two new Oyster devices.

"Scotland has unparalleled natural resources, with a tenth of Europe’s wave power, and these new devices will help us to fully harness the huge energy resources around our own coast and contribute to global efforts to expand clean, green electricity generation.

"Scotland is in the midst of a renewables revolution, and it is innovation and creativity such as that behind the Oyster device which will help us meet our ambitious renewable electricity targets and help us re-industrialise Scotland.

"This array will supply more than 1,000 homes with clean energy, and should the demonstrator be successful the technology being developed here will power hundreds of thousands more homes in future."

The application has been granted subject to the implementation of a suitable Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan to ensure suitable measures are taken to protect the environment.

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

The European Marine Energy Centre is supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution with vital radio coverage on the west coast of Orkney.

The area has historically been a radio black spot due to high cliffs, and posed significant problems to the RNLI's Stromness lifeboat which operates in the area.

The RNLI approached EMEC to help out by hosting a VHF radio repeater and antenna at the Black Craig lookout post.

Used by EMEC uses as an observation point for its wave test site at Billia Croo, it stands at one of the highest points on the West Mainland and has commanding views of the North Atlantic.

The equipment was installed by RNLI engineers with assistance from the EMEC operations team, who are also providing the power supply and technical support.

The upgrade ensures there is radio coverage on the western Orkney coastline, improving communications between the lifeboat and coastguards, and will assist in the coordination and management of incidents at sea.

Alex Marshall, RNLI communications and information manager, said: "We were delighted when EMEC agreed to help us by providing a site and support for this vital technology.

"It is already proving extremely useful and I have no doubt it will be of real benefit to the entire maritime community who use these waters."

Graham Bleakley, operations manager at EMEC, added: "Plugging the gaps in radio coverage between lifeboats and the coastguard provides improved marine safety support - not only to the emerging renewables industry but also to the fishing and leisure sectors in the area. "We are delighted that we could help."

EMEC is the first centre of its kind to offer developers the opportunity to test wave and tidal energy converters in the world class sea conditions experiened in Orkney waters.

The centre was established with around £30 million of funding from the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Carbon Trust, the UK Government, Scottish Enterprise, the European Union and Orkney Islands Council.

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website