Editing Orkney (section)

===Power===
[[File:Pelamis at EMEC.jpg|thumb|alt=A long red tube lies in the water under dark, cloud-covered skies with black hills in the distance. |[[Pelamis wave energy converter|Pelamis]] on-site at [[European Marine Energy Centre|EMEC's]] wave testing site off Billia Croo]]
Orkney has significant wind and marine energy resources, and [[Renewable energy in Scotland|renewable energy]] has recently come into prominence. Although Orkney is connected to the mainland, it generates over [[100% renewable energy|100% of its net power from renewables]] according to a 2015 report.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Llewelyn|first1=Robert|title=Orkney Island of the future|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXe1hBvlylw|website=[[Fully Charged]]|date=19 May 2015 |publisher=[[Robert Llewelyn]]|access-date=20 May 2015|ref=Kryten|archive-date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823152417/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXe1hBvlylw|url-status=live}}</ref> This comes mainly from wind turbines situated across Orkney.

The [[European Marine Energy Centre]] (EMEC) is a research facility operating a grid-connected wave test site at Billia Croo, off the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, and a tidal power test site in the [[Fall of Warness]], off the northern island of Eday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emec.org.uk/|title=European Marine Energy Centre|access-date=3 February 2007|archive-date=27 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127094922/http://www.emec.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the official opening of the Eday project the site was described as "the first of its kind in the world set up to provide developers of wave and tidal energy devices with a purpose-built performance testing facility."{{#tag:ref|"

The centre offers developers the opportunity to test prototype devices in unrivalled wave and tidal conditions. Wave and tidal energy converters are connected to the national grid via seabed cables running from open-water test berths into an onshore substation. Testing takes place in a wide range of sea and weather conditions, with comprehensive round-the-clock monitoring."<ref>{{cite press release |title=First Minister Opens New Tidal Energy Facility at EMEC |publisher=Highlands and Islands Enterprise |date=28 September 2007 |url=http://www.allmediascotland.com/media_releases/1687/first_minister_opens_new_tidal_energy_facility_at_emec |access-date=1 October 2007 |archive-date=24 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024022741/http://www.allmediascotland.com/media_releases/1687/first_minister_opens_new_tidal_energy_facility_at_emec |url-status=live }}</ref>|group="Notes"}}

During 2007 [[Scottish and Southern Energy]] plc in conjunction with the [[University of Strathclyde]] began the implementation of a Regional Power Zone in the Orkney archipelago, involving "active network management" that will make better use of existing infrastructure and allow a further 15&nbsp;MW of new "non-firm generation" output from renewables onto the network.<ref>''Registered Power Zone Annual Report for period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007''. (2007) Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution and Southern Electric Power Distribution.</ref><ref>[http://www.ensg.gov.uk/assets/kel003110000.pdf ''Facilitate generation connections on Orkney by automatic distribution network management''] (pdf) DTI. Retrieved 18 October 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327121236/http://www.ensg.gov.uk/assets/kel003110000.pdf |date=27 March 2009 }}</ref> 1.5 MW of [[polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis]] form a partial [[hydrogen economy]] for [[hydrogen vehicle]]s and [[district heating]],<ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.bighit.eu/about |website=BIG HIT |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224813/https://www.bighit.eu/about |url-status=live }}</ref> and grid batteries and electric vehicles also use local energy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grant |first1=Alistair |title=Pioneering Orkney energy project offers glimpse of fossil fuel-free future |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17548722.pioneering-orkney-energy-project-offers-glimpse-of-fossil-fuel-free-future/ |website=HeraldScotland |publisher=[[The Herald (Glasgow)]] |language=en |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224944/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17548722.pioneering-orkney-energy-project-offers-glimpse-of-fossil-fuel-free-future/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Press release: Energy system of the future to be demonstrated in Orkney : EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre |url=http://www.emec.org.uk/press-release-energy-system-of-the-future-to-be-demonstrated-in-orkney/ |publisher=[[European Marine Energy Centre]] |language=en |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405041847/http://www.emec.org.uk/press-release-energy-system-of-the-future-to-be-demonstrated-in-orkney/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Spurness peninsula and windfarm, Sanday, Orkney - geograph.org.uk - 128689.jpg|thumb|Wind turbines, Sanday]]
Orkney has one of the highest uptakes of electric vehicles in the UK with more than 2% of the vehicles on the road being electric, as of 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49319120 |title=Is Orkney 'in the fast lane' on electric vehicles? 12 August 2019 |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2019 |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-date=13 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913220920/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49319120 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Hydrogen manufacturing====
A March 2019 report by the [[BBC]] stated that "Orkney creates more clean electricity than its inhabitants need. Even after exporting to the UK national grid, the islands' winds, waves and tides generate about 130% of the electricity its population needs – all of it from clean sources".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190327-the-tiny-islands-leading-the-way-in-hydrogen-power |title=How hydrogen is transforming these tiny Scottish islands |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=14 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014094933/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190327-the-tiny-islands-leading-the-way-in-hydrogen-power |url-status=live }}</ref> A report about sustainable energy in the islands listed two options. A new cable could be laid for exporting of energy to the mainland but another proposal has progressed rapidly since that time: making "excess renewable power into another fuel – such as hydrogen – and then [storing] it".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/20/orkney-northern-powerhouse-electricity-wind-waves-surplus-power-hydrogen-fuel-cell |title=How Orkney leads the way for sustainable energy |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=20 January 2019 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231036/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/20/orkney-northern-powerhouse-electricity-wind-waves-surplus-power-hydrogen-fuel-cell |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.energyireland.ie/is-orkney-the-hydrogen-capital-of-the-world/ |title=Is Orkney the hydrogen capital of the world? 25 November 2019 |date=25 November 2019 |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214005639/https://www.energyireland.ie/is-orkney-the-hydrogen-capital-of-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2020, [[CNN]] published more specific information about the hydrogen plan:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/13/business/orkney-hydrogen-power/index.html |title=This small island chain is leading the way on hydrogen power' |website=[[CNN]] |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320144847/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/13/business/orkney-hydrogen-power/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><blockquote>Orkney's success in creating hydrogen using clean energy demonstrates that it can be done at scale. The islands are already using hydrogen to power vehicles, and it will soon be used to heat a local primary school. Now, Orkney is hoping to use hydrogen fuel cells to power a seagoing vessel able to transport both goods and passengers.</blockquote>

Additional specific information about the status of the hydrogen scheme was published in late November 2020 by Orkney Islands Council.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.orkney.com/life/energy/hydrogen |title=Hydrogen |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120161755/https://www.orkney.com/life/energy/hydrogen |url-status=live }}</ref> A few weeks earlier, another report indicated that the world's first hydrogen-fueled ferry was to be tested on the Orkney Islands, using "a hydrogen/diesel dual fuel conversion system", developed by a consortium known as the HyDIME project. Initially hydrogen was to power only the auxiliary engine but the plan calls for later using this fuel for the primary engine. The report suggested that "if all goes well, hydrogen ferries could be sailing between Orkney's islands within six months".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://electrek.co/2020/10/14/egeb-scotland-hydrogen-ferry-microwave/ |title=EGEB: Scotland trials world's first hydrogen ferry |date=14 October 2020 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207225743/https://electrek.co/2020/10/14/egeb-scotland-hydrogen-ferry-microwave/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kirkwall Airport in Orkney was scheduled "to have its heat and power decarbonised through [[green hydrogen]] as part of a new project" starting in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190327-the-tiny-islands-leading-the-way-in-hydrogen-power |title=How hydrogen is transforming these tiny Scottish islands |date=27 March 2019 |work=BBC News |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=14 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014094933/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190327-the-tiny-islands-leading-the-way-in-hydrogen-power |url-status=live }}</ref> A hydrogen combustion engine system was to be connected to the airport's heating system. The scheme planned to reduce the significant emissions that were created with older technology that heated buildings and water. This was part of the plan formulated by the Scottish government for the Highlands and Islands "to become the world's first net zero aviation region by 2040".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hydrogeneast.uk/green-hydrogen-set-to-decarbonise-airport/ |title=Green hydrogen set to decarbonise airport |date=20 December 2020 |work=Hydrogen East |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202151112/https://hydrogeneast.uk/green-hydrogen-set-to-decarbonise-airport/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Hydrogen manufacturing is also planned for [[Shetland]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/09/02/sic-moves-ahead-in-developing-hydrogen-as-an-alternative-fuel/#:~:text=The%20council%20believes%20Shetland%20has,and%20the%20Western%20Isles%20council. |title=Council, SIC moves ahead in developing hydrogen as an alternative fuel 2 September 2020 |date=2 September 2020 |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226213823/https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/09/02/sic-moves-ahead-in-developing-hydrogen-as-an-alternative-fuel/#:~:text=The%20council%20believes%20Shetland%20has,and%20the%20Western%20Isles%20council. |url-status=live }}</ref> and will spread to other areas of Scotland that have access to clean electricity. To achieve that goal, the government announced an investment of £100 million in the hydrogen sector "for the £180 million Emerging Energy Technologies Fund".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/scotland-invests-in-offshore-wind-and-tidal-energy-for-green-hydrogen |title=Scotland Invests in Offshore Wind and Tidal Energy for Green Hydrogen 20 December 2020 |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123145555/https://maritime-executive.com/article/scotland-invests-in-offshore-wind-and-tidal-energy-for-green-hydrogen |url-status=live }}</ref>