Funding for smart and offshore renewable energy projects
Irish companies and research institutions will receive €1m exchequer funding to carry out ‘innovative energy’ research projects for smart and offshore renewable energy systems.
The government’s Climate Action Plan sets out actions across every sector to ensure Ireland meets it future climate commitments.
Research is crucial and the plan highlights the importance of competitive funding rounds to promote research and innovation to meet the climate challenge, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
Irish researchers will collaborate with companies and research institutions across Europe on seven projects that were awarded under the European Commission Smart Energy Systems and Ocean Energy ERA-Net initiatives.
Richard Bruton, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, said Ireland has the opportunity to become a global leader in offshore energy:
“The Climate Action Plan will see us increase the amount of renewables on our grid from the current level of around 35% for electricity generation to 70%. At least 3,500MW will come from offshore wind.
“The Renewable Energy Support Scheme will provide the first opportunity for offshore wind to come onto our grid at scale. Building the capacity to be innovative in this sector and in many other areas of opportunity in a decarbonising world will be vital to our future.”
SEAI chief executive, William Walsh, added that these research initiatives have attracted “very strong” interest internationally:
“As SEAI continues to strengthen Ireland’s energy research landscape, I am delighted that we can facilitate Irish participation in these initiatives by providing research funding and support.
“These collaborative projects bring people together to create new ideas, form new partnerships and find solutions to the challenges we face as we transition towards a cleaner energy future.”
Successful projects
BEYOND: International Energy Research Centre
PIGery: GlasPort Bio Ltd
WEC4Ports: ÉireComposites
SEASNAKE: Ocean WaveVenture
EV-CHIP: Energy Institute, UCD
REDAP: Spatial Outlook Ltd
OPTIMOR: ORPC Ireland Ltd
Funding is provided by SEAI through the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, with additional funding leveraged from the European Commission’s ‘Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme’.
