John Hanley

The plan all other plans in Ireland require was published today. The Transmission Development Plan 2024 – 2033 sets out EirGrid Group’s approach to addressing the challenges of climate change and emissions reduction within the realm of electricity transmission infrastructure, in line with the licence and legislative requirements. By prioritising the integration of renewable energy, enhancing grid resilience, and aligning with policy frameworks, the plan lays the foundation for a sustainable and resilient energy future. Today, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Consultation Paper on EirGrid Group’s draft Transmission Development Plan (TDP) 2024 – 2033 along with the draft TDP (https://lnkd.in/eKGtnSky). EirGrid’s draft TDP is a plan for the development of the Irish electricity transmission network and interconnection encompassing the ten-year period, 2024 to 2033. It presents projects that EirGrid have considered are needed to reinforce the transmission network and are aligned with the strategic objectives laid out by national and EU policies. "When it comes to developing infrastructure in Ireland, you typically have to plan 10 years in advance. This is in order to get through early-stage feasibility; environmental assessments, design, business case, maritime licensing, planning, funding and/or financing, procurement and construction. " Robert Costello. In that case there is no time to lose in delivering Eirgrid's plan. #infrastructure #powerandenergy

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Below we see the energy demand in the industrial sector in Ireland. The majority are dependent in imported fossil fuels but there is an alternative available in electrification for much of Irish industry. Electrification can play a significant role in the decarbonisation of industrial heat in Ireland. Ireland Electrified is advocating for this transition to electrification across heat and as well as transport. Our members are committed to lowering emissions in sectors that are reliant on imported fossil fuels and can move to electrification. #irelandelectrified #electrification #industrialheat #heat

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Key role for biomethane and district heat networks highlighted by the Climate Change Advisory Council Ireland - in their latest Sectoral Report on the Built Environment published last evening on 10th July 2024. Well worth a look as it is very readable - other sectoral reviews have been published in May and June and are on CCAC website. On a positive note the CCAC report has concluded that the Residential Built Environment sector is on track to meet its Carbon Budget target “Despite limited progress in some key areas in 2023, the residential sector is on track to meet its first sectoral emissions ceiling" however the Commercial Sector will require more action; “Commercial and public sector buildings will require a reduction in emissions of 2.9% per annum to remain within the sectoral ceiling" Our national carbon budgets have 2 sectoral ceilings; - from 2021 to 2025 and - from 2026 to 2030 CCAC have concluded, for the next phase where emissions ceilings reduce by 25 to 30% that for the Built Environment; "The trajectory for the second sectoral ceiling is dependent on the large-scale roll-out of district heating and biomethane.” Earlier this week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland reported a quite positive 6.8% reduction in overall emissions for Ireland in 2023. The CCAC report provides some further detail on this for the Built Environment Sector. CCAC's review found that the Built Environment emission reductions in 2023 were due to a combination of; - high fuel prices - a relatively mild winter - switching to renewables - energy efficiency improvements - the introduction of nationwide solid fuel regulations banning smoky fuels #eng4climate

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Northern Ireland has fallen behind in renewable electricity. A report by The Department for the Economy has shown a decrease in the amount of electricity from renewable sources. Steven Agnew, RenewableNI Director, said, “The Climate Act set a legal obligation to have 80% by 2030 which means we need to more than double the generation to meet the increased demand as we electrify heat and transport.” Does your organisation use renewable energy? By using renewable energy you could decrease your bills and enhance your reputation.   Want to know more? Get in touch with any of our sustainability experts today.   Or read about the report here: https://lnkd.in/eH9cHuAt #ResourceEfficiency #CarbonReduction #ResponsibleBusiness

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Can we have such dedicated BioCNG stations on motorways utilising the agriculture biomass in Australia? Definitely a food for thought for us where agriculture biomass is abundant here. https://lnkd.in/gxAK_U9t

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The dynamics of Ireland's energy market are complex, with various factors shaping power prices and ultimately affecting our bills. But what drives these fluctuations, and what lies ahead for energy costs? Cornwall Insight’s Principal Consultant Lisa Foley delves into Ireland's power system in her insightful blog featured in the Irish Examiner. She looks at power price forecasts, explores flexible energy solutions, and assesses the importance of Ireland's path towards energy self-reliance. Read the blog here: https://bit.ly/3ww610A   Discover more on our SEM power price predictions by downloading our summary report today: https://bit.ly/4ai8uda

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We welcome the new research paper from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) which shows that despite State grant aid, there is a resistance to undertaking a deep retrofit of homes due to the disruption involved. This supports Liquid Gas Ireland's assertion that a mixed technology approach to decarbonisation offers more choice to consumers, particularly in rural off grid areas, than the current one size fits all policy. #JustTransition #LGI24 Calor Ireland Flogas Ireland https://lnkd.in/gu_2VD_M

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The Irish industrial sector can decarbonise with electrification and increase security of supply. The manufacture of food and drink products in Ireland's fro example has a turnover of €27.5 billion and exports of €13 billion. Our food and drink sector has potential to lower emissions through electrification of heat. A recent report has outlined: "The technological challenges for electrification are considered to be low, as several electric technology options for steam generation exist.... Through resistance heating, electric boilers and heat pumps, it is considered technologically feasible to fully electrify virtually all applications of the food, beverages and tobacco sector". Ireland Electrified will advocate for the change needed and help Irish Industry electrify. Contact us for more information: office@irelandelectrified.ie #irelandelectrified #electrified #electrification https://lnkd.in/dS9v4zJr

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Member News RiverRidge Encourages Companies to Support Sustainability in Waste Waste and resource management company outlines its ESG strategy as it returns as sponsor of NI Waste and Resource Management Conference NORTHERN Ireland’s leading waste and resource management company, RiverRidge has announced its continued sponsorship of the upcoming Northern Ireland Waste and Resource Management Conference, as it calls upon all local companies to set ESG targets for their business and replicate the trend reported by the manufacturing sector, which has seen 62% of manufacturers implement ESG targets since 2021. (source Manufacturing Month NI). Over the past twelve years, RiverRidge has played an integral role in pioneering the circular economy across the Northern Ireland waste landscape, revolutionising the way the region thinks about waste and resource management. As the only operator with access to its own large-scale waste to energy facility, Full Circle Generation, RiverRidge provides green energy to neighbouring businesses, including Spirit AeroSystems, and is currently developing innovative projects that will maximise the level of recycling from residual waste. Read more - https://lnkd.in/esBH-SxD

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We've been spending the last few days reviewing the Electricity Storage Policy Framework that was published last week by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. This is the first national policy for energy storage in Ireland and as called out by Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications - "it is vital that Ireland exploits the full potential of electricity storage, and the publication of this policy framework is an important step to achieving this goal." The policy makes a strong push for immediately investing in electricity storage to help meet 2030 targets while also starting to develop future 2030-2040 storage needs and achieving a zero-carbon power system. Here are our main takeaways: - The policy rightly takes a technology neutral approach to energy storage technologies. The Government supports the potential for a portfolio of electricity storage technologies to be incorporated into the grid system based on system needs and the capacity to meet established minimal grid requirements, technical standard thresholds, and lower emission targets. - The policy actions the immediate incorporation, through an initial procurement round with a guide volume of 500MW, of long duration storage (4+ hours duration) onto the transmission system in order to address specific 2030 system needs identified by EirGrid. This is to be progressed in 2024/2025 with the potential for subsequent procurement rounds of up to 500 MW each, pending ongoing reviews by EirGrid and the CRU. - This procurement is separate to the Demand Flexibility Product procurement process, which is expected to incorporate up to 500MW of demand flexibility products onto the distribution system, including energy storage. The Government fully supports this procurement process and further updates from ESB Networks and the CRU are due on the procurement in the coming months. - The policy kicks off work on electricity storage requirements for 2030-2040 with a 'quantity' analysis to be undertaken which will establish Ireland's optimal long-duration storage needs. Alongside this will be a 'financial' analysis to assess any revenue gaps and identify the necessary market mechanisms to support investment. A route to market for the identified optimum (long duration) electricity storage requirements for 2030-2040 is to be in place before the end of 2028. - Introduces an emerging technology sandbox to support both System Operators to identify and pilot emerging electricity storage technology and / or processes potentially capable of incorporation onto the grid network. You can find the full policy here: https://lnkd.in/ejfZRv-4

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Water shortages in Dublin and globally stem from supposedly complex issues !!!!!! -climate change -population growth -aging infrastructure -slow adoption of technology. These challenges often lead us to seek grand, expensive solutions like massive pipelines. But what if the answer is simpler than a billion-dollar pipe? What if it's about conserving and managing water better? Fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances, and promoting smart water managment practices. These actions would collectively make a significant impact. It's not just about water scarcity; it's about better water management practices. Maybe if we use 33% less water, there would be no need for a new pipeline ? #WaterConservation #Sustainability #savewater #watermonitoring

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Today at the EPA Water Conference in Galway we launched our latest results on water quality. It is disappointing to report that our water quality is not improving. While there are initiatives happening nationally, measures to address water quality are not being implemented at the scale or pace required. The quality of our water bodies will not improve until nutrient levels are reduced in areas where they are elevated. It is essential that there is full compliance with the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations and that actions to reduce losses of nutrients from agriculture are targeted to where they are needed. We also need to see an acceleration in the pace at which Uisce Éireann is delivering improvements in wastewater infrastructure.

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"Ireland’s #renewable #electricity supply has grown from five to 39% since 2005, leading to Ireland becoming a global leader in #onshore #wind generation. " - #KPMG's Michael Lynch discussing the challenges and opportunities in #accelerating renewable energy in the Irish Examiner. KPMG KPMG Ireland KPMG Future Analytics Read the article here https://lnkd.in/ewBCiNb6

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For the electrification of heat and transport to grow to its immense potential we will need a specific policy framework to support the transition. In Ireland Electrified we are developing policy positions, research papers, and engaging with stakeholders to create positive change. Reforms in grid connections policy for electrification will be one element of the changes required to help those demand users to move to electrification. A flexible connection option for those electrifying will aid in speeding up the process for connections and we have put forward this proposal. We have further policy positions and research papers being published in the coming weeks. If you would like any further information on the work of Ireland Electrified please do get in touch: office@irelandelectrified.ie #irelandelectrified #electrification #electricheat #connectionspolicy

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Climate Change Advisory Council Ireland has published its annual review of the electricity sector on 13th May. Key points from the report: ⚠️ Urgent action needed from the Irish government to meet 2030 electricity capacity targets and stay within the sectoral ceiling. 🔌 Renewable electricity generation remains below required annual increase, hindering progress. 💡 Delays and appeals in planning reform are significant obstacles to renewable energy deployment. 🇪🇺 Transposition of EU legislation crucial for faster rollout of renewable projects. Electricity emissions fell in 2023 due to rise in imported electricity and decline in coal use. 🏭 Coal use must be stopped by 2025, and oil use phased out as soon as possible to maintain emissions reduction trajectory. 💡 Only 0.6GW of new grid-scale onshore renewable connections in 2023, well below the required 1.6GW annually for 2030 targets. Marie Donnelly, CCAC chair, emphasised the need for government leadership to capitalise on Ireland's renewable resources and achieve targets while ensuring security of supply and price stability for consumers. #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #Ireland #ElectricitySector #EUlegislation #EnergyTransition Read more: https://lnkd.in/g7qmjuTJ.

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The RGFI - Renewable Gas Forum Ireland conference at #CrokePark today welcomed the first of two Government Ministers. The Conference will highlighted the pivotal role of #biomethane and #biogenicCO2 in furthering Ireland’s #sustainability goals. #RenewableEnergy #GreenInitiatives

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Datacentres are the "Canary In The Coalmine" in Ireland and FDI; if you cannot provide a clear and trustworthy plan without constant flip-flopping on the policy, you create Stagnation = Uncertainty = projects go someplace else for ICT-related services, Chip manufacture, pharmaceuticals and many other of the FDI industries which have dragged Ireland up from mainly exporting Live Cattle and People in the 1970's. We are sleepwalking into a situation where we have become a backwater for innovation after working so hard these past 50 years to shift our economy from depending on the export of Live Cows 🙏 Let's work together and find the solutions to decarbonise our electrical grid whilst maintaining the economic and job dividends of ICT, Pharma, & Chip manufacture 🤞 My interview with Joe Lynam Newstalk on Thursday covers more on this complacency and entitlement at https://lnkd.in/dSD7MKny https://lnkd.in/ebpwvevE IDA Ireland Maurice Mortell (he/him) Séamus Dunne Peter Lantry Joe Lynam Simon Harris David McAuley Howard Pheby Colm Fagan Tommy Fitzpatrick Jinél Fourie Emma Fryer Séamus Dunne Gary Watson

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The map with the Union Jack in the middle of Ireland should focus minds on doing more about Ireland's need for a secure indigenous energy supply and electricity infrastructure. If not these graphs from the European Commission should. The European Commission today presented guidance and recommendations to accelerate renewable energy roll-out ahead of REPowerEU anniversary and published factsheets for each Member State. https://lnkd.in/eAip8iJi Gas generated 42 per cent of Ireland’s electricity last month, Gas Network Ireland’s April Gas Demand Report published today has shown. #powerandenergy #infrastructure #publicprivatepartnerships

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FDI in Ireland is now prepared to build the grid needed to get Ireland back in the Current Data/AI Led Innovation Age, get on with it Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) 🙏 after leading the world in the export of Data and Data related services, not only do we not make the shortlist, we don't even make the list for the current Data/AI-Enabled innovation age 🤷‍♂️ Datacentres are the "Canary In The Coalmine" in Ireland and FDI; if you cannot provide a clear and trustworthy plan without constant flip-flopping on the policy, you create Stagnation = Uncertainty = projects go someplace else for ICT-related services, Chip manufacture, pharmaceuticals and many other of the FDI industries which have dragged Ireland up from mainly exporting Live Cattle and People in the 1970's. We are sleepwalking into a situation where we have become a backwater for innovation after working so hard these past 50 years to shift our economy from depending on the export of Live Cows 🙏 Let's work together and find the solutions to decarbonise our electrical grid whilst maintaining the economic and job dividends of ICT, Pharma, & Chip manufacture 🤞 My interview with Joe Lynam Newstalk covers more on this complacency and entitlement at IDA Ireland Maurice Mortell (he/him) Séamus Dunne Peter Lantry Joe Lynam Simon Harris David McAuley Howard Pheby Colm Fagan Tommy Fitzpatrick Jinél Fourie Emma Fryer Séamus Dunne Gary Watson https://lnkd.in/eVt6R56k

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