Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise has welcomed the announcement of a Renewable Energy Enterprise Area for the north of Scotland - as has Orkney Islands Council.

Key sites within the enterprise area include Hatston and Lyness, where the local authority - backed by European funding - is developing new harbour facilities that will support the marine renewables sector.

In addition, HIE is creating six new industrial units at Hatston to meet the needs of tidal energy developers using the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) test site off the island of Eday.

Councillor Ian Johnstone, chair of Orkney Islands Council's Development and Regeneration Committee, said: "This is something the council has pressed hard for and I am delighted that in creating the Renewable Energy Enterprise North Area, the Government has recognised Orkney's importance to the development of this key economic sector.

"As the home of EMEC, Orkney is playing a global role in the development of wave and tidal technologies - a role that will increase greatly as commercial scale devices are deployed in Orkney waters and the Pentland Firth in the years ahead.

"Our investment in new harbour facilities at Lyness and Hatston highlights the council's support for marine renewables - and they are clearly identified as key sites in the new Enterprise Area.

"The next stage is for the Government to agree the specific financial incentives that will encourage businesses to invest at sites like Hatston and Lyness - creating jobs and boosting the economy of our islands.

"The creation of the Enterprise Area also strengthens our case for Orkney's designation as a Marine Energy Park, in recognition of our world leading role in the development of the new marine renewables industry."

The Renewable Energy Enterprise North Area will also focus on Arnish in the Western Isles and Nigg and Scrabster in the Highlands.

Director of regional development at HIE Carroll Buxton said: "HIE welcomes the introduction of Enterprise Areas which will stimulate and encourage early investment and development at key strategic sites in Scotland.

"Enterprise Areas are about making things happen faster. In the Highlands and Islands the initiative is targeting growth sectors, particularly renewable energy and life sciences, where there is considerable potential to create new jobs and economic growth across the region.

"HIE is ready to support investors to maximise the advantage of early development at the range of sites - which has the potential to stimulate further significant benefits for businesses and communities across our region."

In all, four enterprise areas are to be created in Scotland with an emphasis on dynamic industries with the greatest potential to create new employment opportunities, stimulate private investment and boost economic growth.

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

French engineering giant Alstom and Scottish energy developer SSE Renewables have announced plans for the world's largest wave farm off the coast of Orkney.

Alstom and SSE Renewables have signed a new joint venture agreement to develop the Costa Head Wave Project, which would generate up to 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity from a site north of mainland Orkney.

The site forms part of the Crown Estate's strategic area for ommercial scale marine renewables projects in Orkney waters and the Pentland Firth.

Alstom and SSE Renewables will work together to obtain the necessary permits and intend to harness power using AWS-III wave energy converters, a technology currently under development by Inverness-based AWS Ocean Energy, in which Alstom acquired a 40 per cent equity share in June 2011.

SSE Renewables and Alstom propose to carry out detailed site surveys and an environmental impact assessment (EIA).

They aim to develop the site with an initial phase of around 10MW, before moving on to install the full capacity.

Established in 2004, AWS Ocean Energy is focused on the development and delivery of its wave energy converter, a floating device with a rated power output of 2.5 MW.

A scale model of the AWS-III was tested in Loch Ness in 2010, with a full-scale prototype planned for deployment at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre, in 2014.

"The selection of the AWS-III system for this exciting and ground-breaking project is a significant endorsement of our technology and team," said Simon Grey, chief executive of AWS Ocean Energy.

Jérôme Pécresse, president of Alstom Renewable Power, said: "We are delighted to announce our agreement with SSE Renewables to develop Costa Head, which is the largest wave energy site being developed today in the world.

"When completed, it will make a valuable contribution to the UK's renewable energy targets."

John Thouless, head of marine development at SSE Renewables, added: "We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Alstom on the Costa Head Project.

"As a leading global provider of energy solutions and developer of marine technologies - and with their interest in AWS Ocean Energy - they are a very strong partner to bring on board.

"This partnership represents a significant milestone for the Costa Head Project and we look forward to working together with Alstom on the successful development of this important wave site."

The Costa Head site is located in water depths of 60–75 meters approximately 5 kilometres to the north of Orkney Mainland.
 

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

A 100ft-high underwater turbine will undergo a crucial test programme after successful deployment at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre.

The 1 megawatt (MW) device was designed and developed by Norwegian company Hammerfest Strøm and, when fully operational, can power the annual electricity needs of 500 homes.

After comprehensive trials at EMEC, ScottishPower Renewables plans to use the technology to create a 10MW tidal array in the Sound of Islay off the west coast of Scotland.

The Orkney test programme will be used to confirm the turbine's performance and reliability, in preparation for larger scale production and deployment, with the newly installed machine expected to be fully operational early this year.

The tests will also help to finalise the timetable for the Islay project, with machines being deployed as early as feasible during the period 2013 to 2015.

Keith Anderson, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables, said: "We are delighted that the HS1000 turbine has been successfully installed in Orkney, and Hammerfest engineers deserve huge credit for carrying out this difficult operation in very testing weather conditions. We look forward to monitoring its progress when fully operational.

"This is a major milestone in the development of tidal power technology in Scotland, and for the tidal power industry across the world.

"We anticipate using this turbine as part of our project in Islay, which will be the first of its kind in the world, and remains the only consented tidal array project in Scotland.

"Beyond this, we have ambitions to use this turbine as part of even larger scale projects in the Pentland Firth, which we are currently investigating.

"The substructure for this device was constructed in the Arnish Yard, near Stornoway in Lewis, and we aim to work very closely with The Scottish Government to support their ambitions of delivering both economic and environmental benefits for Scotland from the marine renewables industry."

The managing director of Hammerfest Strøm, Stein Atle Andersen, said; "The device was installed in one of Europe’s most challenging waters, during the roughest time of the year, which shows the extreme conditions the technology and the team is capable of handling."

A prototype of the device has been generating electricity in Norway for more than six years.

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

Lifeboats operating around Orkney have been fitted with advanced tracking systems - thanks to a funding effort by local marine energy companies.

A partnership between six Orkney based businesses has provided the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) with £4,500 to install Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) on the Stromness and Kirkwall lifeboats, which will be the first in Scotland to be fitted with the technology.

The financial boost came from the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Aquatera, Orcades Marine Management Consultants, Leask Marine, Roving Eye Enterprises, and Scotmarine. The tracking transponders locate and identify vessels operating in the region.

"With a bustling energy industry operating in the waters around Orkney, the region is busy with vessels coming and going, often operating in the harsh weather conditions we experience here," said EMEC's operations manager Graham Bleakley, who suggested the upgrades.

"The AIS provides crews with a live feed of the vessels operating in the area, allowing them to monitor the type and even the name of the ships. The automatic transfer of data will mean the lifeboat and casualty are both constantly updated with key information, resulting in quicker response rates to incidents.

"The marine renewable industry sees safety as the upmost important issue and by working together we have made a contribution which improves the capabilities of those who help to keep our waters safe."

Alex Marshall, the RNLI's communications and information manager, said: "We are delighted with the financial support given by companies in Orkney to fit advanced tracking systems to our lifeboats.

"The AIS has numerous advantages for us including the ability for the Coastguard to see where we are and make sure we are going in the right direction to a casualty.

"Given the work that is going on in the energy industry and the busy commercial shipping in the Orkney area then the introduction of AIS will improve safety for all concerned."

Additional funding is being sought to fit AIS to the Longhope lifeboat as well.

To view marine traffic movements in and around Orkney yourself please visit
EMEC's marine traffic page.
 

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

A new £5.5 million support base for the marine energy industry has been granted £1.8 million in support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The Coplands Dock project in Stromness is part an ambitious strategy by Orkney Islands Council to develop three ports as key facilities for the fast evolving wave and tidal energy sectors.

It will be part funded by the council’s own reserves in addition to the 33% of ERDF funding, with planning applications due to be submitted early next year.

Council Convener Stephen Hagan said: "This funding announcement represents a significant step forward in our three-port strategy for the future of marine renewables in Orkney.

"With the redeveloped Lyness pier already operational and in use by developers, and the extension to Hatston pier imminent, the funding green light for Copland’s Dock is another major milestone in our efforts to position Orkney well ahead of the game as the premier location for marine renewables in Scotland and the UK.

"We welcome the funding and the Government's recognition of the potential for marine renewables to be a major economic stimulator for Scotland."

Provision of a marine renewables service base for Stromness will assist the area to build on its strengths, enhance its reputation as a centre of a centre of excellence for marine renewables, and help to retain and attract a vibrant local population.

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil announced £3.86 million in ERDF funding for a range of projects in the Highlands and Islands.

"This is a fantastic boost to the economy across the Highlands and Islands," he said. "A number of major infrastructure projects, which will deliver direct benefits back into their local communities as well as supporting wider economic development, can now move forward.

"European funds play a crucial role in supporting the Highlands and Islands and I am delighted with the breadth of projects which have attracted significant investment in this round of funding."

In July this year, councillors gave approval for the Coplands Dock project to go ahead as part of the council's works programme for 2011-12 subject to the ERDF funding. Initial design work on the pier has already started.

 

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

Experts from Orkney's world-leading wave and tidal test centre are to collaborate with their marine energy counterparts from the Ocean University of China under a new partnership announced by the Scottish Government.

The OUC, based in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, has agreed a contract with the European Marine Energy Centre, which will involve EMEC staff in assisting the university to develop a wave test centre in Shandong Province

A Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed to foster closer working relationships between EMEC, the University and Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Commission. First Minister Alex Salmond announced the new partnership while visiting the Shandong Province.

He said: "Nature has provided powerful resources that, combined with great human endeavour and ingenuity, can be harnessed to create plentiful clean renewable energy.

"This is an ambition shared between China and Scotland - two nations with a strong industrial heritage and reputation for innovation. Both nations also have extensive coastlines and considerable marine resources.

"Wave and tidal energy developers from around the world are bringing their pioneering technologies to Scotland's world-leading European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney - creating a critical mass of expertise in this exciting sector.

"This new partnership between EMEC and the Ocean University of China can help accelerate the development of marine energy technologies that will play an increasing role in powering the major economies of China, Europe and elsewhere, while reducing harmful emissions to tackle climate change."

Established in 2003, EMEC is the world's only accredited wave and tidal test centre for marine renewable energy, suitable for testing 14 devices simultaneously in some of the harshest sea conditions while exporting electricity to the grid. EMEC commercial director Richard Morris said: "EMEC is delighted to be working with the Ocean University of China.

"Our knowledge and understanding of how to design, set up and operate a test centre, backed up by robust methodologies and processes, gives us the unique capability to provide consultancy support to other countries wishing to set up their own marine energy test sites.

"EMEC's staff have a wealth of expertise and day-to-day understanding of all issues relevant to the testing of devices in the marine environment, and the confidence to deal with all eventualities arising during the vitally important stages of the test process.

"There are significant wave and tidal resources across the globe and at EMEC we are very pleased to be exporting our knowledge and expertise to further the development of the global marine energy industry - in this case strengthening ties between Scotland and China.

"This strategic collaboration further reinforces EMEC's world-leading position at the forefront of the renewable energy industry."

Professor Hongda Shi, dean of the College of Engineering at OUC, said: "Ocean University China and Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Commission are pleased to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EMEC.

"We look forward to sharing ideas that will further the marine renewable industry in China utilising the expertise already built up in Scotland. We envisage a long and fruitful relationship between the three organisations."

 

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

The first wave power machine to be sold to a utility company has notched up a series of technical achievements in the year since it was first connected to the National Grid.

Puchased by E.ON UK, the new generation Pelamis P2 is undergoing a test programme at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre.

E.ON recently won the award for best project in the Scottish Green Energy Awards, in recognition of its role as the first utility to order and operate a wave energy converter. During the same ceremony, Pelamis founder Richard Yemm received the award for outstanding contribution to the renewables industry.

The machine deployed at EMEC has so far completed some 260,000 man-hours of construction, commissioning and testing.

Since it was installed for the first time in October 2010, the device has been put through its paces in increasingly energetic sea conditions as part of a progressive testing programme.

During each installation period Pelamis has been generating electricity into the grid.

Amaan Lafayette, marine development manager at E.ON, said: "Over the past year we’ve learned a lot about how wave machines act in real operating conditions.

"It’s been a challenging, but really exciting 12 months. Wave power creates a significant generating opportunity for a company like E.ON, by broadening our renewables portfolio and potentially helping with the intermittency of other technologies.  I am very excited to be working on this project."

Manufacturer Pelamis Wave Power says the test programme has proven the effectiveness of the machine's rapid installation and removal systems.

During the trials, the device has produced energy conversion efficiency rates in excess of design targets, in a range of conditions and for sustained periods.

Ed Maycock, Orkney project manager for Pelamis, said: "This project has been a great success so far, with many challenges overcome and with many technical achievements outstripping our expectations.

"We’re committed to working with the local community on the development of wave energy off the shores of Orkney and bringing further employment to the islands."

Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, said: "Orkney is proud to be at the forefront of this exciting new industry with the potential to be a significant new form of electricity generation and a future source of prosperity and employment for the islands. We wish both Pelamis and E.ON continued success."

E.ON is now involved in an unique collaboration with ScottishPower Renewables, which has also purchased a Pelamis P2 machine.

It recently arrived in Orkney and will be deployed alongside the E.ON device in the first tandem test programme at EMEC.

 

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

The founder of marine renewables company Pelamis Wave Power has received the award for outstanding contribution to the industry at the Scottish Green Energy Awards.

The award recognises Richard Yemm's "long standing and profound contribution" to the renewables sector and to wave power in particular. E.ON UK won the award for best project, in recognition of it role as the first utility company to order and operate a wave energy converter in the UK - a Pelamis device currently undergoing a test programme at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre.

The award from Scottish Renewables to Mr Yemm was sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and presented during the awards ceremony in Edinburgh. While studying for a PhD at the University of Edinburgh under Professor Stephen Salter, he formed the first ideas of the Pelamis device and established the company itself in 1998.

He has spent the last 13 years developing and commercialising Pelamis - from the drawing board to the board room and from the wave-tank to the high seas. Under his leadership, a prototype Pelamis device generated the first grid electricity from offshore waves - during an earlier test programme at EMEC. Mr Yemm said: "I am really honoured to receive this award and am proud to be working in the renewable industry in Scotland at a time that so much progress is being made by so many outstanding people and organisations.

"Behind any individual award there is always a huge team effort. "Pelamis and the industry could not have achieved this much without a whole team of tremendously talented and dedicated people, and without the huge support we have been offered by our visionary investors, customers, supply chain and Government."

The involvement and continuing support of E.ON is the biggest step towards commercial large scale deployment of Pelamis yet taken. The utility is now involved in an unique collaboration with ScottishPower Renewables, which has also purchased a new-generation Pelamis P2 machine. It recently arrived in Orkney and will be deployed alongside the E.ON device in the first tandem test programme at EMEC.

Niall Stuart, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: "The award winners reflect the huge strength in Scotland's renewable energy industry, and the range of different types of projects from new community wind developments to cutting-edge wave and tidal devices.

"All of them will make their own important contribution to Scotland's ambitions for renewables and in creating jobs, promoting investment and in cutting carbon emissions over the coming years."

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

The seabed foundations for three full-scale Oyster wave energy devices have been installed at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre.

The work was carried out by Fugro Seacore (FSCL) on behalf of Edinburgh-based Aquamarine Power at EMEC's wave test site at Billia Croo near Stromness.

"A paired foundation was used for the first 800 kilowatt (kW) Oyster 800 now successfully installed at EMEC," said Bob Jenkins, managing director of FSCL.

"Two monopiles are also successfully in the seabed ready for two further devices to be installed to complete the 2.4 megawatt (MW) Oyster array.

"We have many years' experience in the renewables sector, and it has been good to continue our relationship with Aquamarine Power. We wish them every success with their array."

Martin McAdam, chief executive officer of Aquamarine Power, said the work had been carried out to the highest standards.

"Their knowledge and experience of foundation installation is invaluable, particularly in the testing conditions of Orkney waters," he said.

The £3 million contract for the foundations was signed in February at FSCL's headquarters in Cornwall during a visit by Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

It followed FSCL's involvement in the installation and commissioning of the single full-scale 315 kW prototype Oyster 1 at EMEC in 2009.

The installation of the new foundations saw FSCL use in-house owned and operated equipment, including the jackup barge
Excalibur.

In total, almost 500 cubic metres of sandstone was drilled and excavated, four 95-tonne large diameter piles were installed, and 150 cubic metres of grout was mixed and pumped during a major operation that took 34 days to complete.
 

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website

A Dutch offshore energy company has secured a berth at EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), to demonstrate its floating platform for tidal turbines.

Bluewater Energy Services has successfully completed the development and design phase of BlueTEC, including model testing, and is now ready to enter the market with a full scale demonstration unit.

While most tidal developers concentrate on the development of turbines, Bluewater has developed an innovative floating platform to install and maintain these technologies at the lowest possible cost.

"We are really proud to have achieved this stage of maturation of our BlueTEC development," said Allard van Hoeken, Bluewater's new-energy manager.

"Right now, the tidal industry is starting to recognise the substantial benefits of a floating support for turbines.

"Tidal farm developers want to see the system in reality before selecting it as their preferred solution. Therefore we are excited to demonstrate a full scale Bluetec system to the world."

BlueTEC is a floating support structure suitable for any type of tidal turbine.

The company says its system offers significant advantages by accommodating all critical equipment above the waterline, where it is dry and protected, allowing for easy access, inspection and repair.

This substantially lowers capital and operational expenditures for any tidal energy project, according to Mr van Hoeken.

The system is designed to increase power production - with the turbines located just below the sea surface, in the most energy rich part of the water column.

"Lowering costs and increasing production at the same time is a powerful combination to make tidal energy projects more commercially attractive," Mr van Hoeken said.

The detailed design of the full-scale pre-commercial demonstration unit to be installed at EMEC has started.

Bluewater says the economic advanatages of its floating solution will be clearly demonstrated in the unrivalled conditions of the waters around Orkney..

The project is supported by the European Commission Life+ programme.

Project partners are Italian turbine developer Ponte di Archimede (PDA) and the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), based in Scotland.

Talks are underway with a major electrical equipment manufacturer and an offshore construction and servicing company to join the project.

This feed was drawn from the Orkney Renewables website