Tag: SEAI

Tyndall Driving New Research to Integrate Electric Buses in Ireland

Tyndall National Institute was awarded six projects from SEAI’s National Energy Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme, all now underway, to advance Ireland’s energy transition. These significant successes highlight Tyndall’s leadership in sustainable research and its commitment to delivering impactful solutions for Ireland’s energy future.

Among the funded initiatives is BEST-IRE, a pioneering project focused on transforming public transport through the integration of battery electric buses into the transport and electricity systems of Ireland. The project will deliver a comprehensive evaluation and strategic roadmap for electric bus implementation, addressing both investment planning and life cycle cost assessement

The project will present methodology to develop a strategic roadmap for battery electric buses in Ireland, guiding investment decisions and assessing long-term costs. It will also develop a smart decision-making tool to support the planning and placement of charging infrastructure, ensuring efficient integration with Ireland’s transport and electricity networks. This includes optimising bus routing, maximising renewable energy use, and maintaining grid stability through advanced modelling.

In addition, the research team plans to create a dynamic transit charge management system to monitor charging patterns and provide local flexibility for enhanced grid management. The project will also assess how electric buses can improve first and last-mile mobility, propose innovative business models for stakeholders in the transport and energy sectors, and recommend policy frameworks that support electric buses and renewable energy integration. Methodology will be implemented at both the urban and rural community levels to ensure broad replicability.

Dr Pádraig Lyons, Head of Group, International Energy Research Centre (IERC) at Tyndall, said: Electrifying an expanding bus fleet is a huge opportunity to decarbonise Ireland’s transport systems and improve the quality of life for people living in urban and rural areas. The BEST-IRE project will develop innovative methodology and tools to address the challenges to infrastructure, associated with this exciting new technology. 

Over 6,500 Irish SMEs directly helped by National Enterprise Hub in its first 12 months

Over 6,500 SMEs have been directly supported by the all-of-Government National Enterprise Hub (NEH) in the first 12 months since its launch.

The top grants availed of by businesses ranged in value from €3,000 to €7,000 and  focused on supporting businesses with cashflow, expansion and productivity to help them deal with concerns around rising costs, and competitiveness.

The National Enterprise Hub has attracted over 220,000 active online users to its website over the last 12 months and also offers a full-time dedicated phone line, connecting business owners with specialist advisors who can discuss potential grant options over the phone.

The National Enterprise Hub, an initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland, brings together information and resources on over 250 Government supports from 30 different Departments and State Agencies. Looking ahead, there will be a continued and renewed focus on simplifying business grant applications for SMEs engaging with the National Enterprise Hub.

The businesses are from a range of industries however the majority fall within Tourism & Hospitality, retail & consumer products, food, health & beauty, professional services and the construction sector. This free service makes it easier and more efficient for businesses to access and avail of supports such as grants, funding, loans and expert advice across a range of sectors.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said “With over 6,500 companies engaging in its first 12 months, the National Enterprise Hub has proven effective in streamlining and simplifying access for SMEs to government supports, equipping them with vital digital and sustainability resources to navigate rising costs and stay competitive.

Research from my Department shows that four in five businesses believe sustainability is important. An awareness campaign is currently underway showcasing how the NEH can support businesses in cutting costs through grants such as the LEO’s Energy Efficiency Grant and SEAI’s Business Energy Upgrade Scheme.

My focus now with the NEH is on reducing administrative burdens and red tape for businesses by consolidating multiple grant applications into a single, simplified process. We must redouble our efforts to simplify processes for businesses and make sure that we think about small businesses first. I look forward to its continued growth and positive impact on Irish SMEs.”

Conor O’Donovan, Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub, said: “SME engagement with the National Enterprise Hub has met and exceeded our targets to date, supporting 6,500 businesses within our first year of operation. One of the main aims of the Hub was to engage with businesses who haven’t availed of government supports to date and to make the process of availing of government supports faster and easier.”

“We know that Irish SMEs are operating in a complex environment and being able to access grants and supports is more important than ever. Small businesses who are engaging with the National Enterprise Hub are concerned about rising cost of business and competitiveness – that is why a single source of government supports for businesses is important to ensure that accessing the right information is made easier.

The National Enterprise Hub has a team of dedicated advisors who are directing SMEs to the right support that will help them. It’s for every business in the country and we’d encourage every business to go online to neh.gov.ie or pick up the phone and start the conversation around your business needs today.”

Audrey Hughes, CEO ofPrinciple HR said: “Like so many Irish SMEs, we are focused on providing the highest quality of service delivery to our customers, while remaining competitive. Accessing government supports to assist can feel daunting but the National Enterprise Hub made the process so much easier by putting us in contact with the right agency whose support and expertise fitted our needs. Through our initial engagement with the National Enterprise Hub, Principle HR is now an Enterprise Ireland client and in a short period of time our business has been helped through the strategic marketing review support and engagement with their overseas market advisors. With the business environment constantly changing, I’d encourage all SMEs no matter what stage they are on their growth journey to contact the NEH today to learn about what supports could be available to them.”

 

Top Supports Availed of by SMEs through National Enterprise Hub:

•    Dept of Social Protection: Wage Subsidy Scheme

•    Dept of Social Protection: Jobs Plus Subsidy

•    Enterprise Ireland: Pre-Seed Start Fund

•    Enterprise Ireland: New Frontiers Programme

•    Enterprise Ireland/LEO: Innovation Vouchers

•    LEO: Energy Efficiency Grant

•    LEO: Mentoring

•    LEO: Start Your Own Business Programme

•    LEO: Grow Digital Voucher

•    MicroFinance Ireland: Start-up Loan

•    Revenue: Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs SURE

•    SBCI: Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme

•    SBCI: Leasing and Hire Purchase

•    SEAI: Exceed Grant Scheme

•    Skillnet Ireland: Skillnet Business Networks

•    Skillnet: Mentoring

•    Solas: SOLAS Micro-Qualifications

 

The Hub team can be contacted through the website (www.neh.gov.ie), email enquiry@neh.gov.ie  or by phone (01 727 2100), where users can engage directly with an advisor.

Leading energy solutions provider SE Systems makes €500,000 available for Irish communities

SE Systems, a leading national provider of energy solutions, has announced that €500,000* is available for Irish communities as part of its Community Fund. The €500,000 in funding is for sustainable energy upgrades, specifically to help future-proof community buildings across Ireland. The closing date for applications is Friday, 18 July.

 Launched in 2022, a total budget of over €2.6m has been awarded by SE Systems to local community projects to date. The SE Systems Community Fund is an independent fund that helps non-profits, charities and voluntary organisations benefit from projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, from solar panel systems and heat pump installation to insulation upgrades. Applications for the Community Fund must be submitted online via the application portal at www.sesystems.ie/community-fund-summer-call-application-form. For more information on eligibility, visit SE Systems website at www.sesystems.ie/communityfund.

John O’Leary, Co-Founder and CEO of SE Systems said: “One of the values that drives us as a business is to build greener, more resilient places to live and work. Our Community Fund is an enabler of this value, allowing us to build long term, viable solutions for vital local amenities and organisations that are fundamental to the social fabric of our towns and villages across Ireland.

“The SE Systems Community Fund is made possible through a unique funding mechanism developed in partnership with our commercial clients as part of their participation in our SEAI Community Energy Grant scheme applications. This collaborative approach allows us to redirect private sector investment into community-based energy projects, supporting grassroots organisations across Ireland in achieving their sustainable energy ambitions.”

Youenn Lowry, Co Founder and Managing Director of SE Systems added: “Applications are now open across the country, and we encourage community organisations who want to build a greener future to consider how financial support from SE Systems can help them secure a brighter and sustainable future for their local area.”

Among the projects that have received funding in the last three years include Cork Cancer Support, Irish Guide Dogs, Sixmilebridge GAA Club, Barretstown Kids Camp and Dalkey Sustainable Energy Community.

Tim O’Mahony, CEO of Irish Guide Dogs and a recent recipient of funding, said: “We were delighted to be a recipient of the SE System Community Fund. The funding provided has not just given us energy and environmental benefits, but has enhanced our facilities for staff, clients, and animals housed on-site. The cost savings we have made through working with SE Systems premises allows us to allocate funding to our core objectives – training more dogs and helping more people who are vision impaired and the families of children with autism.” 

Headquartered in Cork, with regional offices in Dublin, SE Systems serves clients across the country, delivering complete solutions aimed at retrofitting and refurbishing Ireland’s homes and building stock to higher standards of energy efficiency. SE Systems has completed over €500 million worth of energy projects, retrofitting over 13,000 homes and over 2,000 commercial and community Buildings. Over 650 million kWh of Energy has been saved, and 145,000 Tonnes of CO2 have been saved through SE Systems projects. 

*Terms and Conditions will apply.  

Why Did EV Sales Fall Off a Cliff in 2024?

A record €616 million in green energy supports were awarded by the Irish government in 2024 to households, businesses, communities and the public sector, according to data published last week by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

These supports included grants for energy upgrades and renewable energy, including 29,000 grants for solar panels, an increase of 25% on 2023 figures.

However, electric vehicles sales decreased by 24% in 2024, with just 17,459 new electric vehicles registered in the country, compared to the 22,852 sold in 2023.

Despite the fall in sales, more than €52 million grant aid was invested for 12,000 electric vehicles and over 15,400 residential EV chargers.

While EV sales in 2024 were still higher than the 15,678 new electric cars sold in Ireland in 2022, the drop off has become a cause for concern.

One of the main reasons given for the slump in EV sales last year is a lack of confidence among motorists regarding the availability of public charging infrastructure, leading to range anxiety.

There are over 2,500 publicly available charging stations in Ireland according to SEAI figures, which is a much smaller number compared with countries with a similar population.

Norway boasted more than 27,500 public EV charging stations as of Q2 2024, Denmark had close to 18,000 at the start of last year, and Finland had a far smaller but still impressive 3,600 charging stations by late 2023.

Even Lithuania, with a population nearly half the size of Ireland, had over 2,200 public charge points operational by Q3 2024.

A key feature of the decrease in sales in 2024 compared with 2023 figures, is that the slump was clustered around counties in the west and northwest.

In Cavan, 83 new electric vehicles were registered between January and December last year, a 48.77% drop compared with the previous year.

Co. Sligo and Co. Leitrim the north-west saw decreases of 45.9% and 44.83% respectively.

Meanwhile, sales in Co. Clare dropped by 43.36%, and by 42.91% in Co. Mayo.

“The western region saw a decline in electric car sales far above the national average – and this is also where there is less investment in infrastructure,” explained energy expert Brian Kelly of EnergyEfficiency.ie.

“This can be seen as an indication that one of the main reasons for the reduction in sales last year was a lack of consumer confidence in public charging infrastructure,” he said.

Mr Kelly explained that this lack of investment in infrastructure has led to range anxiety among motorists, which has negatively affected sales over the past year.

“Even when there are chargers present along routes of travel, some motorists are finding themselves waiting long periods of time for one to become available,” said Mr Kelly.

“To encourage EV adoption, the new government must take swift action to quell public apathy and concerns around range anxiety by investing heavily in charging stations.”

While the slow roll out of public chargers has hindered ambitious  government targets, Mr Kelly said there is reason to believe that 2025 could be more promising.

“Last December 296 new electric vehicles were registered in the state, up 48.7% compared with the same month the previous year,” he said.

“This is a level of growth far greater than the overall decline seen in the course of 2024.”

There are other reasons for optimism too – last year saw a significant push for the construction of large numbers of new public charging stations along motorways and national road networks, as well as in towns and villages.

Last summer grant funding was awarded through ZEVI for 131 high powered charging stations at locations close to motorways across the country.

Further grant funding to improve the access to EV charging along Ireland’s national roads have also been announced since then.

2025 should also see the implementation of the first stages of the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan which aims to increase the number of EV charging stations available in cities, towns, and villages, which may increase public confidence and diminish range anxiety.

What Fuels the Growing Popularity of Home EV Chargers in Ireland

Gone are the days when car owners would go to flashy showrooms just to see what electric vehicles are all about. The EV revolution is well underway, and many homes in Ireland already come equipped with home EV chargers. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as this new breed of “filling station” appears all set to disrupt the entire automotive industry.

Home EV chargers provide all the solutions EV owners have been looking for: convenience, cost savings, and control. The rise of this trend is fueled not only by practicality, but by a cultural shift that reflects the growing desire for self-sufficiency and sustainability.

Why Home Charging is Gaining Traction

Who actually likes going to the petrol station? The stink of fuel, wrestling with that clunky pump, and feeling the glare of the drivers queuing up behind you aren’t exactly the best part of anyone’s day. For those driving electric, that whole weekly petrol station dance is starting to fade out. Home charging gives you back those little moments that used to get sucked away by that boring chore. Imagine getting home after a crazy day, plugging in your car just like you would your phone, and you’re done.

Speaking of phones, remember back in the day when mobile phones first came out and you’d get those crazy phone bills all the time? Public charging can feel a bit like that—a constant hit to your wallet. Charging at home gives you the power to actually manage how much you’re spending on powering your car. Not only can you make the most of those cheaper electricity rates at off-peak times, but you can also keep an eye on how much you’re using with those fancy smart charging apps.

Government Initiatives and Support

The Irish government actually seems to be on board with making this whole thing easier! Take those folks at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), for example. They’re practically throwing money at you to get a charger installed at home. Their grant scheme can cover a huge chunk of the installation cost, so it’s a total no-brainer if you’re thinking about going electric. It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, we get that this whole eco-friendly tech thing can be a bit pricey, so here’s a little something to help you out.”

The government’s also looking beyond our own driveways, with some pretty ambitious plans to get more electric cars on the road and build up a proper charging network. They’re putting money into public charging stations, pushing those smart charging technologies, and even looking at how to plug electric cars into the national grid.

Now, let’s get to those enticing extra perks: lower motor tax, cheaper tolls, and even getting to park in those fancy preferential spots. They’re really laying on the perks to get people to ditch their old diesel guzzlers and go electric. It’s a bit of a carrot-and-stick situation, maybe, but hey, who’s complaining when the carrots are this sweet?

Choosing the Right Home Charger

Picking a home EV charger can feel a bit like trying to choose a new phone. There are tons of options with all kinds of fancy features, different brands all trying to get your attention, and a whole load of tech specs that can make your head spin. Unlike your phone though, you’ll probably have this charger for quite a while, so it’s worth taking the time to figure out what you really need.

To start, let’s consider the difference between tethered and untethered chargers. As you might guess, a tethered charger has the cable permanently attached to the unit. It’s a bit like those old landline phones—always there when you need it, but not exactly designed for portability. Untethered chargers, however, offer greater flexibility. With a separate cable, you can use it with different vehicles without having a cable hanging from your wall when not in use.

Next up, we need to think about charging speed. Do you need a charger that can juice up your car in a flash, or are you okay with a slower, overnight charge? This really comes down to how you use your car, the size of your car’s battery, and how much patience you have. Just keep in mind that those super-fast chargers usually come with a heftier price tag.

Smart chargers should also be on your radar. These clever little gadgets can do all sorts of things, like making sure your car charges when electricity is cheapest, keeping things balanced so you don’t overload your home’s electricity, and even tracking how much energy you’re using. You can even get chargers than can also charge or kids electric ride on car. 

And unless you happen to be an electrician (and let’s face it, most of us aren’t!), you’ll need to get someone in who knows what they’re doing. They’ll take a look at your home’s electrical setup, figure out the best spot for your charger, and make sure everything’s installed properly and safely. You know, so you don’t have to worry about any unexpected fireworks displays.

One last thing: think about the future when you’re choosing your charger. You don’t want to get something that’s going to be outdated in a couple of years, right? So, ask yourself, will you be getting a car with a bigger battery down the line? Would you be interested in vehicle-to-grid, where your car can actually pump energy back into the grid? It’s worth thinking about these things now, so you don’t end up regretting your choice later.

 

Gamma visualises Census data to show sustainability trends across Ireland

Gamma, a leading location intelligence technology company in Ireland, has visualised Census data to show sustainability trends across Ireland.  

Overall, the 2022 Census showed that the proportion of homes with oil-fired central heating is lower than in 2011, now standing at 39%. However, this fluctuates greatly depending on the location, with the highest rate of oil-fired central heating found in Monaghan (75%) and Cavan (69%). At the other end of the spectrum, just 4% of households in Dublin City rely on oil-fired central heating. 

The county-to-county variation in the use of natural gas is even more noticeable as only 1% of households in Donegal and Wexford, and 2% of households in Longford, Kerry and Leitrim use natural gas for their central heating. Meanwhile, more than 60% of households in Dublin are reliant on same.  

Solid fuels (such as coal, peat and wood) are less popular across the country as a whole but in Offaly, 35% of households use solid fuel for their home heating. This was largely dominated by peat and turf (27%). When it comes to having a renewable energy source, just over a quarter (25.8%) of households in Ireland have one, with more than half of those using wood or biomass.   

Solar water heating panels were revealed to be the most prevalent form, with 5.2% of properties having same. Meanwhile, 3.9% of households have a heat pump (either air or ground source) and 1.9% households have solar electric panels installed.  

Looking at the take-up of renewable energy in individual towns, Craughwell in Galway and Dunshaughlin in Meath have the highest proportion of households with solar electric panels, with almost one in four houses (23%) in those towns having solar electric panels.  

According to newly released data from the SEAI, the towns (with over 500 population) that have the most solar potential are all in the Southeast of the country, with the Wexford towns of Tagoat, Rosslare Harbour, Bridgetown, Rosslare and Fethard making up the top five. When cross-referenced with the Census data, only Rosslare Harbour (9.5% with solar electric) and Rosslare (2.3%) exceed the national average of 1.9% of households with solar electric panels. 

Richard Cantwell, Lead Consultant for Gamma Location Labs, said: “The Census figures suggest that the rate at which we, as a nation, are moving towards more sustainable living and carbon neutrality is slow. Of course, there are other factors likely to be impacting this, including the affordability of and accessibility to renewable energy systems and resources. 

“However, on a more positive note, it’s clear from the SEAI data that there is great potential in certain areas. For instance, with solar electric panels, there is a lot of room for expansion in those areas best poised to take advantage of solar energy in Ireland. 

“It is also promising to see that we are improving from an environmental perspective and – perhaps due to the cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic which also brought about widespread remote working – people appear to be more conscious than before of their energy consumption, behaviours and choices.” 

On the topic of working from home, the 2022 Census revealed a big increase in the proportion of workers who now work mainly or entirely from home, with this total more than doubling from 4.8% in 2016 to 11.3% in 2022. Almost a third (32%) of all workers said they work from home at times.  

Among those who do still commute to work, school or college, proportionately fewer people are now travelling by private car or motorcycle – 58% in 2022 compared to 61% in 2011. Students aged 13 to 18 are the only subgroup not to have reduced reliance on private vehicles as 43% of this group are travelling by private vehicle (the same proportion as in 2016 and 2% higher than in 2011). 

Considering all commutes to work, school or college, the average car driver is now accompanied by slightly more passengers than before, meaning there are 1.55 people travelling per car on the road – compared to 1.45 people per car in 2011.  

Richard Cantwell commented: “As with home upgrades, the data indicates that people are making small changes to their daily lives which will benefit the environment. However, as is the case with both individuals and businesses, more action and supports are required to ensure that we are moving towards our Climate Action Plan 2023 targets and becoming more sustainable.” 

Michael Hanratty, CEO of BERWOW, and an expert on home energy and retrofit, “The approach needs to be twofold. Firstly, consumers need to know and understand the BER rating of their home and be able to easily access information on the energy retrofit options for their properties, including the cost-saving and environmental benefits. Our free online tool BERWOW, can support this insight.   

“Secondly, companies can now use multiple new data sources to build sustainability and net zero carbon into their business strategies, thereby improving their offerings and services for customers. With collective education and action involving both individuals and organisations, we can all become more aware of climate change and how to reduce its increasing impact on daily lives around the world.”   

Drivers in the Republic of Ireland can now claim up to €600 towards the purchase and installation of Indra’s EV home chargers

Indra, leading British electric vehicle (EV) charging provider and smart energy technology company, has announced today that its range of smart EV home chargers has achieved Triple E certification from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

This means that EV drivers can now claim up to €600 off their Indra Smart PRO and Smart LUX™ purchase and installation through the Irish Government’s Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant scheme, which is designed to encourage the transition towards EV adoption in Ireland.

The Triple E certification is an important step for Indra as the British manufacturer continues to scale its operations and enter the Irish market.  With 75,000 EVs currently on the road in Ireland, the market has shown impressive growth, including a 49% year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2023 alone.

Leighton King, Chief Commercial Officer at Indra, said:

“We are delighted that EV drivers in Ireland are now able to access the government grant scheme to purchase and install Indra EV home chargers, making the transition to EVs more affordable.

“But that is not the only potential cost saving for EV drivers as our chargers come with the latest charging technology, giving users access to the greenest and cheapest energy tariffs.”

Compatible with any energy supplier, the Indra Smart PRO and Smart LUX™ chargers work seamlessly with Indra’s intuitive app, helping users to minimise both their carbon footprint and energy bills.

All Indra chargers are equipped with industry leading, proprietary, and patented PESTTM technology and water and dust protection, making them the safest EV chargers on the market. The Smart PRO and Smart LUX™ chargers automatically receive remote over-the-air (OTA) software updates to keep them getting smarter every day.

Indra’s class-leading smart EV chargers are available for purchase via its website. To find out more about Indra, please visit: https://www.indra.co.uk/