Our recent field course in the Orkney Islands (1 – 4 April, 2025) got off to an incredible start, thanks to the fantastic venue provided by the Islands Centre for Net-Zero (ICNZ) at the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus overlooking Stromness.
On our first morning, we gained valuable insights from Empowered Futures member, Lara Santos Ayllón, along with energy justice specialist, Kirsten Jenkins, on the origins of energy justice and the history of Scotland and Orkney’s renewable energy transition. The stunning weather made exploring the streets of Stromness even more enjoyable.
In the afternoon, we had sessions on Community Energy with Rebecca Ford and Mark Hull from Community Energy Scotland, and a discussion on council-owned wind farms with Sweyn Johnston from Orkney Islands Council. These sessions were filled with exciting conversations and big ideas.
The second day kicked off in the Kirkwall Hotel, with views over Kirkwall Bay and an inspiring session on energy-scapes led by Laura Clausen from the University of Agder (UiA). Dan Lee then guided us around the Orkney mainland for an ‘energy archaeology’ tour, where we also had the unique experience of standing at the base of an operational wind turbine at Burgar Hill.
In the afternoon, we attended a session on the ‘Visual Response Imaginaries’ of energy transitions, and the opening of Neil Davey's photography exhibition, "Altered Landscapes of a Post-Carbon Future: An Orkney Islands Exhibition," which provided a thought-provoking and visually stunning look at the islands' evolving relationship with energy.
Our final day began with stunning weather and beautiful views over Stromness and the island of Hoy. We heard from Professor Mikaela Vasstrøm (Empowered Futures/UiA) on how energy policies adapt across different scales and how governance and distributional regimes are adjusted for efficiency and justice. Professor Sandy Kerr from Heriot-Watt University then shared insights on “Community Benefits: Bridging the Land-Sea Divide.”
Our discussions focused on how energy transitions, technological advancements, and production can bolster sustainable local community development and workplaces.
After lunch under the Orkney sun, we heard from Eileen Linklater about the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), which has been testing wave and tidal energy devices around the Orkney Islands since 2003. We also had discussions with Heriot-Watt University's PhD candidate Florian Ahrens and project assistant Francesca Perotti on energy poverty in Orkney.
We then visited EMEC’s Bilia Croo wave testing site, enjoying breathtaking views of the island of Hoy and the North Sea, before returning to Kirkwall to conclude the day with a reflection session, where our PhD candidates shared their experiences of being in the beautiful Orkney Islands and the opportunity to learn and explore energy transitions in such a remarkable setting.
For member, Hilde Solli, participating in the Orkney field trip was both insightful and a pleasure. Hilde explained that exploring diverse perspectives on energy and energy transitions has been eye-opening. She highlighted that different perspectives enhance our understanding of energy; for instance, learning about energy archaeology has shown how our current views are influenced by history.
Hilde also found Orkney's entrepreneurial spirit in the energy transition inspiring, contrasting with the current discussions in Norway, she explained. She emphasized that ownership and public engagement are closely tied to justice. Hilde is particularly pondering the concept of community and its connection to both justice and governance structures.
Immediately following the field course, 14 participants remained in Orkney for a 3-day member-led writing retreat organized by members, Shayan Shokrgozar and Lara Santos Ayllón. The writing retreat aimed to advance a collective perspective article and foster meaningful discussions. During the retreat, participants divided into teams to work on different sections of the article along with group activities and social events.
The retreat featured reflections, goal setting, and team collaboration, resulting in a 3,500-word draft and a plan for further refinement. Participants appreciated the well-organized structure, balance between individual and group work, and the sense of community fostered throughout the retreat. One participant remarked:
I really enjoyed myself. Learned a lot, both in terms of process and different perspectives. The group is awesome, and it just feels like spending time with friends while having interesting discussions about work.