European Marine Energy Centre - EMEC

03/09/2026

🔬 🧪 It’s the start of the Orkney International Science Festival 🌍 🌱

This Friday, come along to our ‘Ocean Energy Open Day’ – an informal drop-in event showcasing energy innovation in Orkney.

Pop by anytime between 2-4pm to meet our team for mini talks to learn more about:

🌊 Wave & tidal energy – get up close to an Orbital Marine tidal turbine blade and discover how Orkney is leading the world in ocean energy.

👩‍🔬 Environmental monitoring – see the tools and techniques we use to collect and analyse data at our test sites.

🗺️ Island decarbonisation – explore Islands Centre For Net Zero - ICNZ projects supporting Orkney's clean energy transition and discover the newly launched Orkney Energy Trail, highlighting the people, projects and places behind the islands' energy story.

Find us in the Charles Clouston Building, ORIC, Stromness (Old Academy)

🔗 https://oisf.org/fest-event/ocean-energy-open-day-2026/

Don’t miss us on Saturday too!

📅 Saturday 5 September – Family Day
📍 Kirkwall Grammar School
🕙 10am – 4pm

Fun for all ages with a range of science-themed activities. Stop by our stand to dive into the world of renewable energy, explore our ocean energy test sites in Virtual Reality, and get creative with LEGO and colouring to design your own clean energy device.

🔗 Full festival programme: https://oisf.org/oisf/festival-programme-2026/

27/08/2026

EMEC was delighted to support The Peedie Retreat as they cut the first turf for their new retreat, helping to capture this milestone with drone photography alongside Start Point Media.

The charity is creating a bespoke accessible retreat in Orkney for people affected by cancer, multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease, offering short breaks away from life's challenges to be spent with family and friends.

We wish everyone involved the very best as this important local project progresses.

26/08/2026

Great to see the Orkney Energy Trail officially launched by Islands Centre For Net Zero - ICNZ⚡

The trail offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the sites, projects and people that have shaped Orkney's energy story. We're delighted that EMEC's wave and tidal energy test sites, as well as our Caldale demonstration site, feature as part of the journey.

Well worth a look, whether you're planning a visit or exploring from home!

💡Discover Orkney's Energy Story! 💡

We're delighted to launch the Orkney Energy Trail - a new interactive online resource from ICNZ that brings together the places, projects and people that have shaped Orkney's unique energy journey.

From historic watermills and peat banks to pioneering wind, tidal, wave and hydrogen developments, the trail showcases how generations of island innovation have helped make Orkney a globally recognised centre for energy research and development.

Using an interactive map and timeline, visitors can explore energy-related locations across the islands, uncovering stories of ingenuity, community action and technological innovation along the way.

The trail has been developed to support tourism, education and public engagement, helping more people discover the role Orkney has played, and continues to play, in shaping the future of energy.

🌍 Start exploring today: https://www.orkneyenergytrail.co.uk/

27/07/2026

Stromness Shopping Week 2026 over and out 🎉

Thanks to everyone who came along to our Renewable Revolution Open Day as part of Stromness Shopping Week.

It was great to see so many people getting involved in the activities, learning something new and having a bit of fun along the way.

A big thank you to ORIC, Islands Centre For Net Zero - ICNZ, ICIT - The Orkney Campus of Heriot-Watt University, UHI Orkney, Xodus, CorPower, and SSEN for helping make the day such a success.

⚡🌊🧩🌎🌱🔋💡

📸 A few highlights from the afternoon below!

24/07/2026

We're hiring: Electrical Technician / Engineer ⚡

We're looking for an Electrical Technician or Electrical Engineer (depending on experience) to support the operation and development of EMEC's test and demonstration facilities and help deliver pioneering innovation projects

From supporting client electrical connections and maintaining critical test site infrastructure to commissioning electrical systems and enabling technology demonstrations, you'll play a key role in helping developers test and deploy wave, tidal and clean energy technologies.

Apply your electrical skills in a world-leading renewable energy environment as part of a collaborative, purpose-led team.🔌

🔗 Find out more and apply: https://www.emec.org.uk/vacancy-electrical-technician-engineer/

📞 For an informal chat about the role, contact Leonore van Velzen on 01856 852223.

20/07/2026

Come along to the renewables revolution at Stromness Shopping Week 2026 👩‍🔬

Bring your family, friends and curiosity to our fun-packed open day on Wednesday 22 July, 1–4pm.

Hands-on activities for all ages, including:
🔍 Orkney Wildlife trail – win a LEGO set!
🎨 Arts & crafts
🧱 LEGO building
🚴 Pedal vs tidal power race
⚡ Renewable energy challenges, virtual reality and more!

Meet with the people shaping Orkney’s sustainable future - from energy, environment to innovation projects happening right here in Orkney.

🆓 Free to attend and open to all ages!

ORIC | Islands Centre For Net Zero - ICNZ | ICIT - The Orkney Campus of Heriot-Watt University | UHI Orkney | Xodus | SSEN Distribution | CorPower Ocean

15/07/2026

Can we design just energy transitions?

Recently shortlisted for the Academic Award at the upcoming Scottish Renewables Young Professionals Green Energy Awards, EMEC associate and researcher Dr Lara Santos Ayllón is sharing insights from the research that inspired her nomination.

Drawing on marine energy, green hydrogen and emerging energy futures in Orkney, Lara's work explores how fairness and justice can be considered alongside technical and economic objectives when designing energy technologies and systems.

In the first blog of a new series, Lara introduces the concept of energy justice and reflects on the experiences and questions that inspired her research.

📖 Read here: https://www.emec.org.uk/can-we-design-just-energy-transitions-energy-justice-innovation-and-the-orkney-islands/

🎨 Illustration by Cassandra Harrison, created as a visual summary of Lara's research.

23/06/2026

EMEC’s Eileen Linklater and Caron Oag will be in Eday tomorrow and plan to drop in to the Warm Space at the Heritage Centre for a cuppa ☕

If you’re there and fancy a chat, we’ll be happy to talk about what EMEC is working on, upcoming projects, or just have a yarn.

19/06/2026

At EMEC, we’ve been exploring how energy innovations demonstrated elsewhere could translate into different island contexts, through replication studies on Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.

Delivered as part of the EU‑funded ISLANDER project, this work looked at how smart energy systems could support island decarbonisation.

What’s clear is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Local challenges like grid constraints, housing and existing infrastructure all shape what’s possible in practice.

In this blog, Programme Manager for Islands Centre For Net Zero - ICNZ Kristina Burke shares the key insights, and why understanding local context is so important when planning future energy systems.

These findings are now helping to inform the ongoing work of ICNZ.

📖 Read more: https://www.emec.org.uk/learning-from-islander-shaping-realistic-energy-pathways-for-islands/

03/06/2026

EMEC attended the Scottish Green Supply Chain Awards last week and were delighted to win the Supply Chain Development Award 🎉

The award recognises the role EMEC plays in helping turn innovation into real-world deployment, connecting developers with the facilities, expertise and partners needed to bring new technologies to life.

Over the years, our work has helped foster a strong marine energy supply chain in Orkney, with more than 20 local businesses and organisations active in the sector, providing services from planning and engineering to construction, operations and environmental support.

With continued investment in tidal energy R&D infrastructure, DeepWind test site development and collaborative research and innovation programmes, we’re proud to be supporting the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector and the transition to net zero.

Thanks to Scottish Renewables for hosting a great event, and congratulations to all the winners and finalists 👏

🔗 Find out more: https://www.emec.org.uk/emec-wins-supply-chain-development-award/