Project leaders
The project is led by the European Marine Energy Centre LTD (EMEC), located in the Orkney Islands (Scotland), with the participation of Orbital Marine Power, responsible for the O2 tidal turbine; Invinity Energy Systems, developers of vanadium flow batteries; and ITM Power, creators of the 670 kW electrolyser used in the demonstration.
The demonstration is part of the European ITEG project, supported by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the FORWARD2030 programme.
Project description
The project presents the world’s first demonstration integrating tidal energy, battery storage and green hydrogen production into a single operational system. The trial was carried out at EMEC’s facility on the island of Eday, combining an O2 tidal turbine, vanadium flow batteries and a 670 kW electrolyser.
During testing, the energy generated by the tides was managed according to operational conditions: when production was high, the system could charge batteries, directly power the electrolyser or export electricity to the grid; when generation decreased, the batteries sustained green hydrogen production by supplying continuous electricity to the electrolyser.
This hybrid architecture smooths the cyclical nature of tidal energy, ensures a stable electricity flow and enables continuous hydrogen production. The project also tested advanced safety scenarios, including automatic system responses within seconds in the event of incidents.
The initiative technically validates the “3-in-1” concept, providing key lessons on automation, battery management and energy integration. The hydrogen produced is considered a pathway with strong potential to decarbonise complex sectors such as maritime transport, although at this stage the project focused on demonstrating technical feasibility rather than direct maritime applications.
Project objectives
The main objective is to prove the feasibility of an integrated energy system capable of combining tidal generation, electrical storage and renewable hydrogen production in a stable and continuous manner.
The project aims to:
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Overcome grid capacity constraints often affecting coastal and island regions.
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Maximise the value of tidal energy under variable conditions.
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Enable new hydrogen-based energy consumption models.
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Lay the foundation for more resilient energy systems.
Publication date
18/02/2026