Tag: offshore

Enterprise Ireland launches Propel Ireland to accelerate offshore wind innovation and supply chain development

Enterprise Ireland has today announced the launch of Propel Ireland, a new innovation centre designed to drive collaboration, innovation and supply chain development across Ireland’s offshore wind sector.

Propel Ireland represents a key action under Powering Prosperity: Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, supporting the development of a globally competitive offshore wind industry and positioning Irish companies to capitalise on significant domestic and international opportunities.

Offshore wind is central to Ireland’s energy future and economic growth, with national targets of up to 37GW of offshore renewable energy capacity by 2050 – creating a significant opportunity for enterprise development, job creation and export growth.

Propel Ireland will bring together developers, SMEs, researchers and Government stakeholders to strengthen collaboration across the offshore wind ecosystem and accelerate innovation.

Propel Ireland will:

•    Connect Ireland’s offshore wind industry and support collaboration across enterprise, research and Government

•    Enable companies to address shared technical and commercial challenges

•    Support the development of a competitive Irish supply chain for domestic projects and global export

•    Accelerate the commercial deployment of later-stage technologies

The initiative will be supported by a cross-sectoral steering group, including representatives from Government Departments and agencies, industry and the research community, ensuring alignment with national policy and industry needs.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said: “Developing a strong offshore wind industry is a key priority for Government, supporting enterprise growth, innovation and job creation. Propel Ireland will play an important role in strengthening Ireland’s supply chain and supporting companies to seize the opportunities in this rapidly growing global sector.”

Minister at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley TD, said: “Offshore wind will play a central role in delivering Ireland’s climate and energy ambitions. Initiatives such as Propel Ireland are important in supporting innovation, building capability and ensuring we maximise the economic benefits of the transition to renewable energy.”

Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD said: “Collaboration between industry, research and Government is critical to delivering innovation in emerging sectors such as offshore wind. Propel Ireland will support the development of knowledge, skills and research capability needed to underpin Ireland’s long-term success in this area.”

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Offshore wind presents a significant opportunity for Ireland to build a new, globally competitive sector. Propel Ireland will support Irish companies to collaborate, innovate and scale, enabling them to compete internationally while contributing to the development of Ireland’s offshore wind capability.”

The launch of Propel Ireland reflects a coordinated, cross-Government approach to developing Ireland’s offshore wind sector, aligned with national climate, energy and enterprise policy.

Ireland’s strong research base, growing enterprise capability and natural resources position the country to become a leading location for offshore wind innovation and supply chain development. Propel Ireland will support this ambition by providing a platform for collaboration, innovation and commercialisation.

Enterprise Ireland will now engage with industry partners to support participation in Propel Ireland and to ensure that Irish companies are well positioned to benefit from opportunities in offshore wind, both domestically and internationally.

8 Unique Use Cases for a VPN

Since the first online restriction came into play, it kickstarted a war between users who wish for freedom and those who wish to restrict it. Internet users find the internet to be boundless, endless freedom, and they will not settle for anything else. A virtual private network (VPN) is their main weapon, and it can be used for a myriad of things. VPN opens up digital access, secures activities, and reshapes how one interacts with the internet.

1. Improved access to offshore casinos

For starters, a VPN can enable access to features, games, and sites that are restricted in jurisdictions that heavily monitor internet traffic. In areas where internet access is not freely available without restrictions, users turn to offshore casinos. A VPN can enable access by routing connections through countries where these platforms operate legally and openly. Usually, it makes perfect sense to use a VPN in these situations.

A country next to you may have unlimited internet access, and your country is right next to it with restrictions. For users who wish to game online without limitations or being subjected to registration, a VPN can provide access to sites like those featured on ukslotsnotongamstop.com, that offer plenty of games, bonuses, and features, and for them, a VPN is the essential tool for online freedom.

2. Access region-specific content while abroad

While traveling, familiar websites or apps might stop functioning as expected due to regional blocks or content licensing. You’re crossing plenty of borders, and laws can change with each one. A VPN can help by linking your connection to a server in your home country, so you can still use the features as you expect. Streaming services like Hulu or BBC iPlayer, which often tailor libraries to local audiences, become accessible again. This isn’t just about convenience. For frequent travelers, being able to login and use their online services without interruption can be essential for work or personal continuity.

3. Navigate restrictive environments

Access to the open web isn’t a given right everywhere in the world. Sure, we are used to typing whatever we wish and surfing without limits, but that is a luxury. Social media platforms, news sites, or even basic messaging tools may be unavailable due to government-imposed firewalls. Online trust is a big deal and a VPN creates a bridge across these limitations. It allows users to bypass localized restrictions and connect to servers elsewhere.

4. Reduce online price discrimination

All is fair in love and war, so if online retailers sometimes adjust prices based on your location, then using a VPN is a must. This especially applies in the travel sector. Flights, hotels, and even software subscriptions might display lower prices to users in different countries. By shifting your virtual location with a VPN, you can check if better deals exist elsewhere. Even a slight reduction in airfare costs can justify a VPN subscription for frequent flyers.

5. Safer public Wi-Fi use

Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously insecure.  Anyone can use them, which is why they are great and terrifying. They offer convenience, but they can also expose your data to lurking attackers. A VPN secures your connection through encryption, making it far more difficult for others on the same network to intercept your activity. This protection is especially valuable if you’re accessing bank accounts or entering passwords while using these hotspots.

6. Support secure peer-to-peer file sharing

Downloading or sharing large files via peer-to-peer networks has always come with privacy risks. Your IP address is typically visible to every participant in a torrent swarm. A VPN masks your address, offering a shield that helps reduce the chances of your activity being monitored or throttled by an internet provider. For individuals working with open-source files, large media projects, or even legacy software sharing, aside from modifying their old Windows PC, a VPN is an easy added privacy that makes a difference.

7. Access uncensored search results

Search engines tailor their responses based on the user’s location, showing localized results first. But sometimes that geographic filtering can be a drawback. Researchers or professionals investigating news coverage, cultural events, or policy differences abroad might want to see the internet from a local perspective. A VPN lets them connect through a server in the region they’re studying, surfacing more relevant and contextual results. It’s a quiet but powerful tool for deeper digital research.

8. Improve latency for gaming

Gamers often use VPNs to avoid targeted attacks, like DDoS attempts. But there’s a lesser-known benefit too: in specific situations, a VPN might help bypass bad ISP routing and reduce latency to certain game servers. If you’re playing blockchain game Valhalla, you’ll need all the advantages you can get, so getting a VPN here can certainly help and align with the crypto nature of the game. This isn’t a universal fix, and in many cases, it may slow things down. But for users on congested networks or in regions with suboptimal routing paths, it’s worth experimenting with. Combined with the privacy benefits, the occasional improvement in speed or stability can be a welcome surprise.