Challenge:
Sun, Sea & Hydrogen
Supporting the development of an island based renewable energy ecosystem, based off lessons learned in Orkney.
Summary
The European Marine Energy Centre propose to use their existing knowledge of renewable energy, hydrogen and integration of low carbon technologies to transfer knowledge to the community in Elba, empowering their decision making. EMEC, based in the Orkney Islands, Scotland have a track-record of supporting the commercialisation of a wide range of renewable energy technologies and providing demonstrations to the benefit of the local population.
Through working with a wide range of stakeholders, EMEC has supported the testing of wave and tidal energy devices, hydrogen production, use and storage and even an underwater data centre. EMEC has knowledge of different solutions and how they can be effectively implemented in an islands context. Utilising Orkney as a real-world case study, EMEC can support the development of a renewable energy ecosystem by de-risking decisions made in Elba, providing evidence of successes and failures presented in EMEC’s R+D experiences. Bringing valuable experience in site setup, integration and energy management, EMEC can provide technical resource to help shape the proposed low-carbon transportation scheme, offering support in further exploitation of surplus renewable energy.
Our core team bring experience in a wide range of energy mediums as well as a global network of technology developers, experts and relevant stakeholders who will be the key to unlocking a successful low carbon energy system.
Through working with a wide range of stakeholders, EMEC has supported the testing of wave and tidal energy devices, hydrogen production, use and storage and even an underwater data centre. EMEC has knowledge of different solutions and how they can be effectively implemented in an islands context. Utilising Orkney as a real-world case study, EMEC can support the development of a renewable energy ecosystem by de-risking decisions made in Elba, providing evidence of successes and failures presented in EMEC’s R+D experiences. Bringing valuable experience in site setup, integration and energy management, EMEC can provide technical resource to help shape the proposed low-carbon transportation scheme, offering support in further exploitation of surplus renewable energy.
Our core team bring experience in a wide range of energy mediums as well as a global network of technology developers, experts and relevant stakeholders who will be the key to unlocking a successful low carbon energy system.
Foreseen impact
EMEC’s involvement brings substantial added value to the Elba project by drawing directly on over a decade of hands-on experience delivering real-world hydrogen and synthetic fuel projects in Orkney—a region with many technical, geographic, and logistical similarities to Elba.
EMEC has already tackled many of the practical challenges that Elba is likely to face, including intermittent renewable supply, island infrastructure limitations, safety compliance, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of hydrogen with community and industrial needs. This unique background allows EMEC to significantly de-risk the project, avoiding costly trial-and-error by applying tested technical solutions, operational processes, and safety frameworks, with an agnostic approach to technology providers. Moreover, EMEC’s extensive track record enables proactive knowledge sharing, from design best practices and procurement lessons to workforce training and public communication strategies.
EMEC's proven ability to turn complex decarbonisation concepts into operational reality provides a high degree of confidence for funders, stakeholders, and regulators—accelerating delivery timelines and improving the likelihood of long-term project success.
EMEC has already tackled many of the practical challenges that Elba is likely to face, including intermittent renewable supply, island infrastructure limitations, safety compliance, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of hydrogen with community and industrial needs. This unique background allows EMEC to significantly de-risk the project, avoiding costly trial-and-error by applying tested technical solutions, operational processes, and safety frameworks, with an agnostic approach to technology providers. Moreover, EMEC’s extensive track record enables proactive knowledge sharing, from design best practices and procurement lessons to workforce training and public communication strategies.
EMEC's proven ability to turn complex decarbonisation concepts into operational reality provides a high degree of confidence for funders, stakeholders, and regulators—accelerating delivery timelines and improving the likelihood of long-term project success.
About the solver
EMEC is a not-for-profit research and innovation centre, based in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Providing test and demonstration facilities for a wide range of low carbon innovations, our remit is to reduce the time, cost and risk of incorporating low-carbon innovation to the marketplace. Our experience in green hydrogen covers the full value chain; from electrolytic production through to storage, transportation and end use (including in maritime and aviation transport). Through a range of grant funded activities, our knowledge of green hydrogen has grown with the company. We are interested in supporting the Isle of Elba by acting as a consultative body, passing on lessons learned from the key projects outlined below:
1) EMEC H2 Infrastructure projects (BIGHIT, Surf ‘n’ turf)
The Surf 'n' Turf and BIG HIT (Building Innovative Green Hydrogen Systems in an Isolated Territory) projects were groundbreaking hydrogen initiatives based in Orkney, with EMEC playing a central role in the demonstration and operation of innovative energy technologies. In Surf 'n' Turf, EMEC led the technical delivery and demonstration of green hydrogen production using electricity from both a community-owned wind turbine on Eday and EMEC’s tidal test site. The hydrogen was produced on Eday using EMEC’s electrolyser, then transported to Kirkwall to power a fuel cell at the harbour, demonstrating clean energy use for port operations. EMEC’s facilities served as the operational hub for integrating renewable generation with hydrogen technology, validating the role of hydrogen in decarbonising remote energy systems.
Building on this success, BIG HIT expanded the scope and scale of the hydrogen infrastructure, with EMEC again providing the core test environment and expertise in operational integration. EMEC operated two 500 kW electrolysers, storage, and distribution systems, helping to prove the technical feasibility and real-world application of hydrogen across multiple end uses, including heating and transport. EMEC’s leadership in coordinating the demonstration of these technologies—across electricity, hydrogen, and thermal sectors—was essential to showcasing how integrated hydrogen systems can function reliably in isolated grid-constrained communities. The projects established EMEC as a leader in hydrogen innovation, setting the stage for future scale-up and replication of hydrogen-based low-carbon energy systems.
2) Project Martin/ Caldale 2
The Project MARTIN initiative marked a significant advancement in sustainable aviation, with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) playing a pivotal role in demonstrating the feasibility of synthetic aviation fuels. In collaboration with Zero Petroleum and IGTL Technology Limited, EMEC facilitated the production of synthetic hydrocarbon gasoline at its Billia Croo wave energy test site in Orkney. This synthetic fuel was created by combining green hydrogen—produced through EMEC's electrolysis processes powered by renewable energy—with carbon captured from the atmosphere. The resulting fuel was then utilized by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in a landmark demonstration flight, earning a Guinness World Record for the first aircraft powered entirely by synthetic fuel.
EMEC's involvement in Project MARTIN underscores its commitment to pioneering clean energy solutions and its capability to support cutting-edge research and development in renewable energy applications. By providing the infrastructure and expertise necessary for the production of synthetic fuels, EMEC not only contributed to a significant milestone in aviation history but also highlighted the potential of integrating renewable energy sources into the production of sustainable fuels. This project exemplifies how strategic partnerships and innovative technologies can converge to address the pressing challenges of energy sustainability and carbon emissions in the aviation sector.
Building upon this project as well as its hydrogen demonstration projects, EMEC is currently extending its hydrogen demonstration facility at Caldale in Eday to be a spoke location for the demonstration of nascent synthetic fuel and carbon capture technologies. With funding provided by the Scottish government and in partnership with technology developers Catagen and Zero Petroelum, EMEC have recently completed a pre-FEED study focused on developing the conceptual design of the facility. The project is now moving through to FEED with the intention of having this complete by mid-2026 and construction of the site commencing end 2026.
3) Clean Maritime Projects
EMEC has played a key role in multiple projects funded through the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), leading the demonstration and integration of innovative hydrogen and clean fuel technologies aimed at decarbonising the maritime sector. Across these projects, EMEC has provided vital expertise in system design, safety, and operational delivery, leveraging its hydrogen production and storage infrastructure in Orkney to enable real-world testing of zero-emission maritime technologies. This includes projects focused on vessel propulsion, shoreside refuelling, and port decarbonisation—ensuring new technologies are tested in practical, operational environments.
Notably, EMEC has led or contributed to several standout CMDC initiatives. These include HyDIME, which demonstrated hydrogen bunkering and a hydrogen-powered vessel; HIMET (Hydrogen in an Integrated Maritime Energy Transition), which explored the integration of hydrogen across port operations and vessel fuel supply; and the CMDC2 floating methanol fuel depot project, investigating the potential of alternative fuels and offshore bunkering infrastructure. EMEC’s role has been pivotal in de-risking the deployment of these emerging technologies, validating system performance, and ensuring high standards of safety and reliability. Through these projects, EMEC continues to position itself at the forefront of maritime decarbonisation, helping to shape the UK's clean shipping future.
4) ICNZ
The Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) is a transformative initiative aiming to accelerate the decarbonisation of Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides. Led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, Aquatera, Community Energy Scotland, and the three island councils, ICNZ is funded through the Islands Growth Deal. This pan-island innovation centre focuses on developing and implementing low-carbon solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of island communities, with the goal of creating replicable models for sustainable energy transitions worldwide.
EMEC's role in ICNZ is pivotal, leveraging its extensive experience in renewable energy and hydrogen technologies. Building upon successful projects like ReFLEX Orkney, EMEC contributes to the design and demonstration of integrated energy systems that combine renewable generation, storage, and smart grid technologies. Through ICNZ, EMEC facilitates the trialling of innovative solutions, such as green hydrogen production and usage, to address energy resilience and decarbonisation in island settings. By engaging with local communities and stakeholders, EMEC ensures that the initiatives under ICNZ are grounded in the specific needs and contexts of the islands, fostering sustainable economic growth and energy independence.
5) Alternative tidal offtake report
The Alternative Offtake Routes for Tidal Stream Energy report, delivered by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in collaboration with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, was commissioned by Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This study explored how tidal energy can be harnessed locally to benefit Scottish coastal communities, particularly those facing grid constraints. By examining 30 tidal stream sites around Scotland, the report identified 20 locations where direct energy connections to end users are feasible. The study highlighted opportunities such as converting tidal electricity into green hydrogen for industrial decarbonisation and replacing diesel generators with battery storage systems in remote areas.
EMEC's role was central to this initiative, leveraging its extensive experience in marine energy to assess the technical and economic viability of alternative offtake solutions. The report emphasized the potential of tidal stream energy to drive net-zero goals, bolster energy security, and promote green growth across the UK. EMEC's insights informed key recommendations, including strategic planning around resource use adjacent to industries needing decarbonisation and reducing risks for community-scale projects. This work underscores EMEC's commitment to pioneering sustainable energy solutions tailored to the unique needs of coastal communities
A list of key team members can be found in the attached PDF.
1) EMEC H2 Infrastructure projects (BIGHIT, Surf ‘n’ turf)
The Surf 'n' Turf and BIG HIT (Building Innovative Green Hydrogen Systems in an Isolated Territory) projects were groundbreaking hydrogen initiatives based in Orkney, with EMEC playing a central role in the demonstration and operation of innovative energy technologies. In Surf 'n' Turf, EMEC led the technical delivery and demonstration of green hydrogen production using electricity from both a community-owned wind turbine on Eday and EMEC’s tidal test site. The hydrogen was produced on Eday using EMEC’s electrolyser, then transported to Kirkwall to power a fuel cell at the harbour, demonstrating clean energy use for port operations. EMEC’s facilities served as the operational hub for integrating renewable generation with hydrogen technology, validating the role of hydrogen in decarbonising remote energy systems.
Building on this success, BIG HIT expanded the scope and scale of the hydrogen infrastructure, with EMEC again providing the core test environment and expertise in operational integration. EMEC operated two 500 kW electrolysers, storage, and distribution systems, helping to prove the technical feasibility and real-world application of hydrogen across multiple end uses, including heating and transport. EMEC’s leadership in coordinating the demonstration of these technologies—across electricity, hydrogen, and thermal sectors—was essential to showcasing how integrated hydrogen systems can function reliably in isolated grid-constrained communities. The projects established EMEC as a leader in hydrogen innovation, setting the stage for future scale-up and replication of hydrogen-based low-carbon energy systems.
2) Project Martin/ Caldale 2
The Project MARTIN initiative marked a significant advancement in sustainable aviation, with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) playing a pivotal role in demonstrating the feasibility of synthetic aviation fuels. In collaboration with Zero Petroleum and IGTL Technology Limited, EMEC facilitated the production of synthetic hydrocarbon gasoline at its Billia Croo wave energy test site in Orkney. This synthetic fuel was created by combining green hydrogen—produced through EMEC's electrolysis processes powered by renewable energy—with carbon captured from the atmosphere. The resulting fuel was then utilized by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in a landmark demonstration flight, earning a Guinness World Record for the first aircraft powered entirely by synthetic fuel.
EMEC's involvement in Project MARTIN underscores its commitment to pioneering clean energy solutions and its capability to support cutting-edge research and development in renewable energy applications. By providing the infrastructure and expertise necessary for the production of synthetic fuels, EMEC not only contributed to a significant milestone in aviation history but also highlighted the potential of integrating renewable energy sources into the production of sustainable fuels. This project exemplifies how strategic partnerships and innovative technologies can converge to address the pressing challenges of energy sustainability and carbon emissions in the aviation sector.
Building upon this project as well as its hydrogen demonstration projects, EMEC is currently extending its hydrogen demonstration facility at Caldale in Eday to be a spoke location for the demonstration of nascent synthetic fuel and carbon capture technologies. With funding provided by the Scottish government and in partnership with technology developers Catagen and Zero Petroelum, EMEC have recently completed a pre-FEED study focused on developing the conceptual design of the facility. The project is now moving through to FEED with the intention of having this complete by mid-2026 and construction of the site commencing end 2026.
3) Clean Maritime Projects
EMEC has played a key role in multiple projects funded through the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), leading the demonstration and integration of innovative hydrogen and clean fuel technologies aimed at decarbonising the maritime sector. Across these projects, EMEC has provided vital expertise in system design, safety, and operational delivery, leveraging its hydrogen production and storage infrastructure in Orkney to enable real-world testing of zero-emission maritime technologies. This includes projects focused on vessel propulsion, shoreside refuelling, and port decarbonisation—ensuring new technologies are tested in practical, operational environments.
Notably, EMEC has led or contributed to several standout CMDC initiatives. These include HyDIME, which demonstrated hydrogen bunkering and a hydrogen-powered vessel; HIMET (Hydrogen in an Integrated Maritime Energy Transition), which explored the integration of hydrogen across port operations and vessel fuel supply; and the CMDC2 floating methanol fuel depot project, investigating the potential of alternative fuels and offshore bunkering infrastructure. EMEC’s role has been pivotal in de-risking the deployment of these emerging technologies, validating system performance, and ensuring high standards of safety and reliability. Through these projects, EMEC continues to position itself at the forefront of maritime decarbonisation, helping to shape the UK's clean shipping future.
4) ICNZ
The Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) is a transformative initiative aiming to accelerate the decarbonisation of Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides. Led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, Aquatera, Community Energy Scotland, and the three island councils, ICNZ is funded through the Islands Growth Deal. This pan-island innovation centre focuses on developing and implementing low-carbon solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of island communities, with the goal of creating replicable models for sustainable energy transitions worldwide.
EMEC's role in ICNZ is pivotal, leveraging its extensive experience in renewable energy and hydrogen technologies. Building upon successful projects like ReFLEX Orkney, EMEC contributes to the design and demonstration of integrated energy systems that combine renewable generation, storage, and smart grid technologies. Through ICNZ, EMEC facilitates the trialling of innovative solutions, such as green hydrogen production and usage, to address energy resilience and decarbonisation in island settings. By engaging with local communities and stakeholders, EMEC ensures that the initiatives under ICNZ are grounded in the specific needs and contexts of the islands, fostering sustainable economic growth and energy independence.
5) Alternative tidal offtake report
The Alternative Offtake Routes for Tidal Stream Energy report, delivered by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in collaboration with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, was commissioned by Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This study explored how tidal energy can be harnessed locally to benefit Scottish coastal communities, particularly those facing grid constraints. By examining 30 tidal stream sites around Scotland, the report identified 20 locations where direct energy connections to end users are feasible. The study highlighted opportunities such as converting tidal electricity into green hydrogen for industrial decarbonisation and replacing diesel generators with battery storage systems in remote areas.
EMEC's role was central to this initiative, leveraging its extensive experience in marine energy to assess the technical and economic viability of alternative offtake solutions. The report emphasized the potential of tidal stream energy to drive net-zero goals, bolster energy security, and promote green growth across the UK. EMEC's insights informed key recommendations, including strategic planning around resource use adjacent to industries needing decarbonisation and reducing risks for community-scale projects. This work underscores EMEC's commitment to pioneering sustainable energy solutions tailored to the unique needs of coastal communities
A list of key team members can be found in the attached PDF.
Indicative budget/Phases
1. Pre-FEED - € 210,750.00 EMEC staff budget and external budget for sub-contracting - € 140,000.00 6 month project duration
Deliverables:
Work Package 1 - Project Management
Work Package 2 - EMEC knowledge exchange workshops
Work Package 3 - Pre-FEED and Feasibility Study
2. FEED - Indicative budget €1.5m, 12 month project duration. EMEC's input into this will depend on the first phase development.
Deliverables described above.
3. Construction and Operation phase - Indactive budget €7-8m. EMEC envisage having a minor scope within this budget but can support with:
- Tendering process for key technologies and construction team
- Support training programme to enable handover of site to Elba based operatives.
- Provide staff exchange programme to showcase EMEC's site to technicians to be deployed in Elba.
Deliverables:
Work Package 1 - Project Management
Work Package 2 - EMEC knowledge exchange workshops
Work Package 3 - Pre-FEED and Feasibility Study
2. FEED - Indicative budget €1.5m, 12 month project duration. EMEC's input into this will depend on the first phase development.
Deliverables described above.
3. Construction and Operation phase - Indactive budget €7-8m. EMEC envisage having a minor scope within this budget but can support with:
- Tendering process for key technologies and construction team
- Support training programme to enable handover of site to Elba based operatives.
- Provide staff exchange programme to showcase EMEC's site to technicians to be deployed in Elba.