Lessons Learned from Orkney Island: The Possibility for Waves to Churn Out Energy and Economic Returns in the U.S.

A remote island off the Northern tip of Scotland, long known for its waves and currents, is channeling attention from the U.S. and other countries for its dedication to understanding how to harness energy from these elements. 

Orkney Island is home to the European Marine Energy Center (EMEC), a not for profit, private company that offers the only accredited, full-scale testing facilities for devices that turn energy from the waves and tides into electricity.  As EMEC proves to be a financial success, and positive for the local and national economies, university researchers in the U.S. from the Northwest National Marine Energy Center (NNMREC), are looking to the nonprofit, and others involved in the industry in Orkney for lessons learned. 

“There’s more happening here than anywhere else in the world, so it’s really quite exciting,” says EMEC’s Marketing Manager Lisa Mackenzie.