Orkney, Billia Croo
Engineering Industry Site (21st Century)
Site Name Orkney, Billia Croo
Classification Engineering Industry Site (21st Century)
Alternative Name(s) European Marine Energy Centre Wave Test Site
Canmore ID 340624
Site Number HY21SW 35
NGR HY 2246 1010
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/340624
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Stromness
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
Aerial Photography (18 July 2012)
The wave test site at Billia Croo, part of the European Marine Energy Centre Ltd, was opened in 2004.
Information from RCAHMS (GFG) 16 June 2014.
Project (10 June 2021 - 31 August 2021)
Orkney Energy Landscapes explored the past, present and future of energy production and its role in shaping the identity of the islands. Orkney has a long history of energy testing and production, from the use of traditional fuels such as peat, to the more recent extraction of oil, exploration of uranium, and the current world-leading renewables industry (wind, wave and tidal). Taking these energy themes the project explored five main areas, undertaking walkover and measured survey, building recording, oral history, and school outreach, run as a series of community events.
Additional site details will be available in the project report.
The project is a collaboration between ORCA, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Archaeology Institute and the Department of Social Anthropology, University of St Andrews.
Archive: NRHE (intended)
Funder: National Lottery Heritage Fund, EMEC
Daniel Lee and Richard Irvine – ORCA, UHI Archaeological Institute and University of St Andrews
(Source: DES Vol 22)
Field Visit (10 June 2021 - 31 August 2021)
HYHY 22449 10223 Billia Croo Engineering Industry Site (21st century), Wave Energy Test Site (Canmore ID: 340624) At Billia Croo, (the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) onshore wave test site compound was recorded using walkover survey and building recording. The site receives electricity from five marine docking sites and transfers this to the grid. Numerous wave test devices have been tested at the site, including Pelamis, Oyster, Seatricity, and Velo. Structures and features within the compound were recorded and could be related to the different devices (Site BC 1A–P). The southern wall of the switch room building was recorded demonstrating two main phases of construction. The adjacent Oyster 800 (Aquamarine Power) onshore compound was recorded (walkover survey), where the turbine equipment has been left in place and not decommissioned (Sites BC 2A–E; centre HY 22453 10155). More detailed recording of the facility would be beneficial.
Additional site details will be available in the project report.
The project is a collaboration between ORCA, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Archaeology Institute and the Department of Social Anthropology, University of St Andrews.
Archive: NRHE (intended)
Funder: National Lottery Heritage Fund, EMEC
Daniel Lee and Richard Irvine – ORCA, UHI Archaeological Institute and University of St Andrews
(Source: DES Vol 22)
