Dr Colin Keogh

Shaping Our Electricity Future Roadmap Shaping Our Electricity Future Roadmap was prepared by EirGrid and SONI (Northern Ireland grid operator) in consultation with stakeholders across society, government, industry, market participants and electricity consumers. Shaping Our Electricity Future Roadmap provides an outline of the key developments to support a transition to a net zero by 2050. This Roadmap draws on an extensive public and industry engagement in the first half of 2021. It identifies the network reinforcements needed to manage a fundamentally different generation fleet, new technologies and demand growth. The Roadmap is based on consultation and studies spanning across transmission networks, stakeholder engagement, power system operation and electricity markets with the aim of developing an integrated vision of the 2030 power system and electricity markets for Ireland and Northern Ireland. A detailed review of the public and industry consultation feedback, combined with EirGrid and SONI analysis of electricity grid, system operations provided the following insights relating to the role of Energy Communities.in the future roadmap. There was strong support for the connection of micro-generation from communities across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Communities are eager to get involved in this aspect of the electricity system and believe micro-generation should have a relatively significant role in attaining at least 70% renewables. There was strong support for community ownership of renewables and that communities should be supported and incentivised to develop community owned renewable projects. Many stakeholders believed a community-led approach to renewable project development would provide significant community benefit, support acceptance of energy infrastructure and demonstrate a grassroots contribution to achieving climate action targets. However, stakeholders strongly communicated that systems need to be put in place to foster and encourage ideas in this area. There was repeated reference to the need for rural communities to share in any economic upturn as a result of the implementation of a roadmap with major Renewable Ambition. This includes balancing the infrastructure modelling across the island, encouraging large energy users to locate in regional cities and balance the requirement of offshore and onshore generation, in order to sustain jobs and investment. The full report is available here: https://lnkd.in/e5xx43Zg... ⭐SWITCH YOUR HOME AND BUSINESS ELECTRICITY TODAY 👉 www.communitypower.ie #community #power #energy #electricity #sustainable #ireland #esg #environmental #social #governance #generation #ownership #nationwide #eirgrid #connection #microgeneration #switch #utility #supplier #grid

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Great article highlighting the benefits for companies and RPOs to seek funding from the Government's Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund. Call 7 of the Fund is now open and applications are welcome!

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Is funding a critical enabler of Circular Economy Innovation in your business? CIRCULÉIRE Network Members certainly think so! On Wednesday, we were delighted to host our cross-sectoral members in Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR)’s Mullingar R&D Lab to meet National Funding Contact Points (NCPs) from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Horizon Europe, Interreg North-West Europe (NWE). Speakers presented an overview of their funding opportunities and met with members (from ventures to SMEs and MNCs) for 1:1 sessions to support them leverage grant funding for circular implementation. Key Takeaways: 1. Make Contact Early – All NCPs want to help and advise. 2. Refer to Policy & Contextualise in Funding Applications. 3. New to Funding? Use EI or IDA Vouchers to cover 50% of Consultant Fees. 4. More Experienced with Funding? Explore Horizon EU & Interreg NWE Calls. 5. The Circular Economy is now key to Innovation - cited 45 times by Horizon EU. Does your business need to unlock CE funding for first mover advantage, resource productivity or to explore new revenue models? CIRCULÉIRE can help establish planning horizons, overcome silos and gain a broader perspective through active participation in our dynamic and diverse member ecosystem. Membership includes FREE: - GHG Baseline Hotspot Survey - Circular Maturity Assessment - Networking & Training Sessions We can also consult (on a bespoke basis) to develop your CE Action Plan. Could membership be the right next step for your business? DM Marianne Dorney to arrange an intro call Thanks again to our public investor and sponsor Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the NCP presenters Ken Whitelaw, Mark Sweeney, Philip Cheasty, Sergio Fernandez Ceballos, Stephen O'Reilly and Sarah Davoren for the inspiring content and of course our members who are the heart of Ireland’s first cross-sectoral industry-led circular innovation network. REvolve ARYZTA Masonite® Arcology System Repak Bank of Ireland Knowcarbon Dawn Meats rezero DeltaQ Offerre AIB Finline Furniture Brockley Chemicals IQUTECH Rebox Novelplast Well Spent Grain ltd BladeBridge CIRTEX LTD IRELAND Aughinish Alumina Ltd. shareclub Niskus Biotec Mary O'Riordan Agnese Metitieri Enya O'Connell Leanne Conroy Valentina Rangel Leon Geraldine Brennan, PhD Catherine McIntyre

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Our latest paper, published in Elsevier Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, addresses the topic of stoppage-induced increases in skin friction during pipe-jacking/microtunnelling, based on Kevin O'Dwyer's Irish Research Council - becoming Research Ireland PhD research. The paper can be found at https://lnkd.in/eTyrc7cY.

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I was chatting to our friends, James Wall and Johannes Werner , from 3D Technology Ltd at the Manufacturing Solutions Expo in TUS, Limerick last week when I observed an intriguing print. The item was created using the Markforged X7 printer and Onyx material, a type of micro carbon fiber infused nylon known for its ability to produce precise components with exceptionally smooth surface texture. 👌 Onyx is renowned for its exceptional versatility and offers high strength, toughness, and chemical resistance when printed alone, and can be reinforced with Continuous Fibers to yield aluminum-strength parts. 💪 Are you curious about how to leverage this technology within your company? If you are interested in pursuing a one year, part time level 7 in additive manufacturing, YES only one year part time! 😎 Or our new introduction to additive manufacturing, 12 week 10 credit level 7 certificate. 🧑‍🎓 Click here to apply; https://amase.ie/ Reach out to me here or on WhatsApp 086 199 5047 if you would like more details about these courses. 📧 #AdditiveManufacturing #3DTechnology #CareerGrowth #SETUCarlow #SETUWaterford #InnovativeMaterials #Industry40 #ContinuousLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment

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Nice to see our new Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) branding on our day to day laboratory wear/PPE. TUS is certainly growing from strength to strength with a caring underscore. Some examples that stand out.. ✅ significant integration of cross cutting research and innovation for societal challenges ✅ embeds TUS researcher and staff ecosystem with networks of stakeholders and end users across sought-after applications ✅ enables, leads, shares and accelerates research through Open Science ✅ international orientation and benchmarking included advancing #UN #SDGs. ✅ unlocking opportunities and disruption including new #bioeconomy demo sites scaled for appropriate commercialisation and digital transformation ✅blending digital twin with extended reality for 360 degree design thinking …medtech, digital health, digital marketing … ✅ food waste stream valorisation, optimisation/circularity __ sustainability ✅mobility and bespoke training . ✅green campuses ✅ 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Liam Brown Lorna Walsh Patrick Murray Donnacha McNamara Cormac O'Shea Niall Murray Tania Marsh Orla Thornton Vincent Cunnane Don Faller Carmel Kealey Dr. Des Cawley

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IMPORTANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 📢 Call 7 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is now live. This is a €500 million fund established by the Government under Project Ireland to encourage collaborations by industry and research sectors into the development and commercialisation of ground-breaking technologies. WHO CAN APPLY? DTIF is suitable for combinations of SMEs, MNCs and RPOs who are engaging in collaborative ‘industrial research’ and / or ‘experimental development’ towards a common objective. Applications for projects that complement Ireland’s six Research Priority Areas – ICT; Health and Wellbeing; Food; Energy, Climate Action and Sustainability; Manufacturing and Materials; and Business Services and Processes – are encouraged. Call 7 is currently open for submission of applications until April 30, 2025. The call for funding will be administered by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. HELP WITH APPLYING Enterprise Ireland is hosting an online webinar for potential applicants on May 23rd at 10am-11am: https://lnkd.in/eU6vEEtD For more information, please see here: https://lnkd.in/dHQ3_2vF or email 📧 [email protected].  #DTIF #ProjectIreland

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New research just published with Ubaid Illahi, Tushar Pramod Choudhari, Anna Charly & Margaret O'Mahony. The work is funded by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Driving green change: Commercial sector adopting electric vehicles in Ireland - Transportation Research Part D When examining pathways to decarbonise transport, one must examine users’ mobility and examine ways to enable them to adapt. Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is incentivised to help reach emission reduction targets; however, existing research predominantly focuses on the private sector. This study analyses data on EV grants for commercial operators and the spatial distribution of commercial industries in Ireland. Results reveal a disparity in EV adoption between the commercial and private sectors. Retail, Professional Activities, Education, and Construction sub-sectors show the highest likelihood of embracing EVs. Spatial heatmaps identify high-density commercial clusters that could be useful for allocating public EV charging stations. The findings underscore the significance of the commercial sector’s transition to EVs towards achieving net-zero targets. Importantly, this study highlights that policies aimed at promoting EV uptake in the commercial sector need to be refined as its requirements are distinct from the private sector. Open Access here: https://lnkd.in/eGrxvVS6

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✨ STANDARDS: INNOVATION NEWS & SPECIAL OFFER ✨ National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is pleased to announce that ISO 56001 – innovation management system -  has been officially adopted as an Irish standard -  https://lnkd.in/eUDGSmF2 This milestone underscores Ireland’s unwavering commitment to fostering #innovation and #excellence. To get a 10% discount off the cost of this standard, use NSAI10 at the checkout on Standards.ie* By embracing ISO 56001, companies in Ireland can now: Enhance their innovation capabilities: Implementing this standard helps organisations systematically manage innovation processes, leading to more effective and efficient outcomes. Gain a competitive edge: Adopting ISO 56001 signals a strong commitment to innovation, attracting potential investors and partners. Improve operational efficiency: The standard provides a structured approach to innovation, reducing risks and optimising resources. Boost market reputation: Being certified with ISO 56001 enhances credibility and trust among clients and stakeholders. This milestone represents another significant step towards a brighter, more innovative future for #Ireland #ISO56001 #Standards #Standards4EU *please note that this special offer ends on December 13th, 2024

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The end of the Accelerator Era Ireland’s state-backed tech accelerator, the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC), has announced it will shut down in November 2025. Founded in 2006, the NDRC explained that the government has “concluded that the enterprise ecosystem has evolved significantly” and, as a result, will not extend the accelerator’s contract beyond next year. Until then, operations will continue as usual. This development signals a broader shift in the startup ecosystem. By 2025, I believe the traditional accelerator model will be largely outdated. A similar trend is likely in Italy, where, within the next two years, many of the 20+ accelerators launched under CDP Cassa Depositi e Prestiti's Rete Nazionale Acceleratori program will (quietly) close their doors (disclaimer: this is just my opinion). Why? - Accelerators (except a few ones) have proven to be often economically unsustainable, with limited funding and a reliance on corporate sponsors who may no longer see sufficient value in supporting them. - The startup ecosystems have evolved, favoring more targeted, flexible, and scalable models over the traditional accelerator approach (and with a larger need to focus on later stage funding rather than seed). The question is no longer whether this shift will happen, but how quickly the industry will adapt to a post-accelerator world. #startups #openinnovation #accelerators Mind the Bridge Isidro Laso Conor McGinn Phillip Mckenna Ernesto Ciorra Salvo Mizzi Gianluca Dettori

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📉 The Closure of the NDRC: A Step Back for Irish Startups? It’s deeply concerning to hear that the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) is set to close next year. For years, the NDRC has been a cornerstone of Ireland’s startup ecosystem, providing early-stage startups with critical funding, mentorship, and resources to innovate and grow. At a time when global competition for tech investment is fiercer than ever, this decision risks undermining Ireland’s reputation as a hub for innovation. International investors need confidence that Ireland supports its startups and fosters a strong pipeline of innovation. This move feels particularly short-sighted given the potential threats to Ireland’s economy, such as the possibility of tariffs on Irish exports under a Trump presidency. Now more than ever, Ireland should be reinforcing its commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation, not pulling back. The NDRC has played a vital role in fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem and ensuring Irish startups can compete on a global scale. Its closure risks creating a significant gap in early-stage support, just when we need to double down on promoting Ireland as a leader in innovation. If we’re serious about safeguarding Ireland’s future economy, we must urgently reconsider decisions like this and ensure we’re investing in our greatest assets: our people, talent, and ideas. What are your thoughts? How do we ensure the Irish startup sector remains strong in the face of these challenges? https://lnkd.in/g4FDrDBM National Digital Research Centre to close next year as contract ends

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Cork Business Association has submitted key recommendations for the revised National Planning Framework (NPF). The key recommendation made by CBA is that if Cork is to achieve the ambitious growth targets set out at a national level there needs to be support in the NPF for key growth enabler projects such as the Events Centre, without embedding this in national policy objectives achieving the targeted growth will be difficult. The CBA also recommended the following:  1. A return to ambitious 60% population growth targets.  2. A housing policy reset, focusing on brownfield sites like Cork City & Tivoli Docks and addressing some of the barriers to achieving immediate housing delivery (the relocation of the Port of Cork and Gouldings as a national priority)  3. Sustainable transport solutions, including Light Rail & BusConnects. Let’s ensure Cork thrives as a dynamic urban center! #NPF #CorkGrowth #SustainableCork Irish Planning Institute Darragh O'Brien TD Jack Chambers Office of Public Works Clara O'Neill Simon Coveney

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When it comes to product design that excels in life cycle, holistic and multidisciplinary approach is paramount. True #scientificInjectionmolulding #designformanufacturing #designforautomation #circulareconomy #polymer

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Check out Technological University Dublin new PG Cert in Sustainable Leadership for Screen Production.🎬 Learn to embed sustainability in your projects with real-world examples and international best practices. Read about the course in more detail here: https://lnkd.in/dycHzFke #SustainableLeadership

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Introducing the MaREI Irish Building Stock Observatory (IBSO) Platform Website! ============================================== www.ibso.ie The platform barometers Irelands progress toward the national retrofit targets, published in Ireland’s national Climate Action Plan 2021 requiring, by 2030, 1 in 4, totalling 500,000 homes to be retrofitted to a B2 energy rating or higher along with the installation of heat pumps in 1 in every 5, totalling 400,000 homes. The Irish Building Stock Observatory (IBSO) measures and visualises progress towards these targets by dwelling type and location, cataloguing the evolution of energy upgrades in the stock over time. The data on this platform is updated quarterly. As time progress, more quarterly data will be added as well as building data and embodied carbon databases. Funded by Construct Innovate through Enterprise Ireland

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Not 'myths' but science. Data centres are driving additional carbon emissions from both electricity and natural gas consumption, threatening carbon budgets.See Dr Hannah Daly's report today. "This report concludes that unchecked data centre growth poses a significant threat to Ireland’s climate commitments. Without decisive action, data centres will continue to divert renewable energy to serving demand growth rather than displacing fossil fuels, deepen reliance on fossil fuels, and exacerbate Ireland’s carbon budget overshoot and energy security threats. A comprehensive policy framework is urgently needed to ensure Ireland’s economic development and enterprise strategy are aligned with legally-binding climate commitments." "Since 2017, all the additional electricity generation from Irish wind energy has been overtaken by the growth in energy demand from Data Centres" https://lnkd.in/epEB39WX #climate #energy

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Are corporate Boards keeping pace with the development of AI? In a recent IoD Ireland survey over 1/3rd of companies surveyed are now citing AI as a key tool to improve effectiveness and drive business competitiveness but almost 70% of organisations do not have a board-approved AI policy. https://lnkd.in/eJn3dBwZ #IODIreland #TechGovernance #AI #AIRisk

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There's a very good report published on the Matrix website today [https://lnkd.in/dBKsrBzv]. Department for the Economy NI commissioned the report looking at the gaps and duplications of innovation support. Lots of good detail in here, and comparisons with Scandanavian countries. For SMEs pushing the boundaries of software and emerging technologies, this report is good for context and awareness. But importantly, for anyone interested in understanding what support is out there for them, Annex 1 from Pg 57 onwards lists out (in tables) the support programmes available. Very good reference material, neatly outlined.

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