Tag: #uk

IKEA is opening a new store on Roblox… and you could be paid to work there!

IKEA has unveiled a first look at ‘The Co-Worker Game’, a virtual universe coming to Roblox on June 24th. The immersive experience gives players the opportunity to experience IKEA’s unique approach to careers where non-linear career journeys are the norm and lateral moves across departments are commonplace.

As well as being the brand’s first foray into mainstream gaming, the virtual store will give people a chance to immerse themselves in the working world of IKEA. With a limited number of paid, virtual co-worker roles available in the game.

Applications for roles in the virtual store open today (3rd June, 2024) and close on Sunday 16th June, with paid shifts for 10 new co-workers up for grabs. Successful applicants will be able to flex their skills, help customers, and get promoted to move departments, just like in the real world.

Alongside the paid co-workers, the broader Roblox community, gamers and IKEA fans alike will be able to work, explore and experience the virtual world of IKEA on Roblox.

They can venture to IKEA’s famous Swedish Food Market and Bistro and serve up endless amounts of meatballs or stop over at the various showrooms and use famous IKEA products to organise the space – say hello to HEMNES heaven. All with the chance to win exclusive IKEA UGCs.

Darren Taylor, Country People and Culture Manager, IKEA UK and Ireland: “We’re excited to be the first brand to launch paid work on Roblox to showcase how we do careers differently, bringing our unique careers philosophy to life.  

 At IKEA, there is no set route to career progression. Our co-workers are able to change roles, switch departments, and grow in any direction they choose, both in the game or in the real world. There are many ways to learn and grow at IKEA, and that’s what IKEA on Roblox is all about.“

Virtual interviews for shortlisted applicants will take place for this fully remote virtual role on June 14th, 17th and 18th. Each successful applicant will be paid an hourly IKEA Co-Worker rate for their time on the game.

IKEA on Roblox, developed by The Gang, a Swedish game design company, launches on June 24th.

For more information, the full terms and conditions and details on how to apply, please visit:  http://thecoworker.co.uk

For more information about careers at IKEA and how they’re done different, please visit: https://ikea.ie/careers

*Paid players must be 18+ and in UK or ROI to apply. This promotion is not affiliated with Roblox.  Roblox is not responsible for the fulfilment of any compensation or rewards related to this promotion, nor will participation create or result in any employment or other worker relationship with Roblox.

Gamma Risk strengthens UK presence with launch of retrofit calculator solution

Gamma Risk, the property risk technology company, today announces that it is strengthening its UK presence with the launch of a retrofit calculator solution, EPCWOW. The company – which has an office in Manchester and has previously rolled out other products in the UK market – is hoping to replicate the success it has had in its home market with BERWOW.

Since launching in 2020, the BERWOW application has enabled over 100,000 people across the country to explore retrofit projects, resulting in millions of euros being invested in residential retrofit. For SSE Airtricity alone, BERWOW has resulted in a 60% increase in retrofit conversion rates. Last year, AXA became the first insurance company offering the BERWOW tool to Irish homeowners, using it to support its new Go Green web platform.

Specifically developed for the UK market, including Northern Ireland, EPCWOW is a new web tool which can be customised for each client and is particularly relevant for customers of banks, insurance companies and energy providers.

The white-label offering helps these organisations to better support their customer bases by enabling homeowners to understand both the financial and energy savings benefits of home upgrades.  Furthermore, it enables these organisations to affect real change in their customers’ properties, reducing their Scope 3 CO² emission levels in the process. This results in the reduction of CO² emissions across properties and therefore improves the green credentials of providers.

To enable EPCWOW to calculate the energy efficiency of specific property types and potential cost savings for homeowners through selected retrofit measures, Gamma Risk has partnered with EPC specialist, Quidos.

Homeowners simply enter their property type details into the online platform, which prompts EPCWOW to suggest retrofit improvements based on the specific house type along with estimated costs, bill savings, grants, and other benefits.  The user can then select and deselect measures until the desired bundle of upgrades is satisfactory and affordable.

The rollout of EPCWOW comes as Gamma rebrands as two entities, Gamma Risk and Gamma Labs. Gamma Risk assesses both physical and transitional risks to property assets for the entire UK and Ireland through the use of cutting-edge technology, operating the largest and most complete property risk database for the region. Gamma Risk will also aim to deliver innovative solutions – including EPCWOW – and data insights which enable businesses to make more sustainable business decisions, adapt operations to reduce CO² emissions and uphold compliance with regulatory requirements.

Commenting on the launch of the new service, Feargal O’Neill, CEO of Gamma Risk, said: “This is the first interactive energy calculation tool of its type in the UK market, regenerating net savings as different measures are selected. By simplifying complexity and delivering high-quality data insights through cutting-edge solutions, we can help businesses across the UK to enhance their customer experience and enable sustainability. Through EPCWOW specifically, this means empowering homeowners and supporting retrofit journeys.

“This solution will not only help to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency for individual properties but for society as a whole – driving towards a greener future and showing the future impact of current actions. It also allows the businesses involved to boost their standing from both a sustainability and profitability perspective.”

Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute at St James’s Hospital becomes first in Ireland or UK to introduce robot to make chemotherapy drugs

The Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute at St James’s Hospital in Dublin has become the first hospital in the UK or Ireland to introduce a compounding robot to produce cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients. As part of the evolving robotic programme in the hospital, this new initiative has the potential to supply chemotherapy products more efficiently and safely, increasing productivity and leading to a better experience for cancer patients at the hospital.

Chemotherapy is traditionally produced using a highly manual process carried out in pharmacy departments. Overseen by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, it is physically intensive, involving measurement of doses, reconstitution of commercially sourced drugs and dilution into patient specific doses. Therefore, there is a risk of human error and a need for high levels of quality assurances and verifications. Staff globally often report repetitive strain injuries due to the labour intensity of production, as well as burnout.

The Aseptic Compounding Unit at St James’s Hospital is the busiest in the country, producing 30,000 products annually. With cancer levels rising alongside a growing and ageing population, this demand will rise in coming years. Funds for the new robot were raised by the St James’s Hospital Foundation.

Gail Melanophy, Director of Pharmacy at St James’s Hospital said: “This is a major step forward for our staff and our cancer patients at the hospital. We  aim to produce up to 50% of the oncology/haematology day ward’s chemotherapy needs within weeks of introduction and we hope this will significantly increase when at full capacity, including inpatient needs. This will free up time for our pharmacists to produce other products that the robot does not make and ensure that our valued patients never have to wait for their treatments.”

Aleena Mary James, nurse, Liz Hogan, patient, and Brid Curran, Clinical Nurse Manager.

The first patient received their treatment made by the new robot at the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute today (11th April) on the hospital campus. Liz Hogan from Ratoath, County Meath is being treated for cervical cancer at the hospital and was infused with a customised dose of the chemotherapy produced by the robot.

She said: “I noticed no difference at all when I received my dose of chemotherapy today at St James’s Hospital – but I am reassured by the wonderful staff here who have told me that the new robot will help to ensure the chemo for all the cancer patients like me will be of very high quality.”

13 of the most commonly used cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs used at St James’s Hospital have been initially selected to be produced by the robot. Trials at the hospital have demonstrated that the advance preparation of the drugs is readily achievable, meaning they are available in the clinics when patients arrive for their sessions.

For the pharmacy staff, the use of the robot protects them from repetitive strain injuries commonly associated with this type of manual process, as well as from exposure to hazardous drugs used in the compounding of chemotherapy. Patients can be assured of the quality of the chemotherapy produced due to the environment in which the robot is housed as well as the flexibility to use the range and scope of products previously produced in the pharmacy. There are also potential cost savings to be realised as the robot can store partially used drugs for use in the production of subsequent doses, thus optimising the use of expensive drugs.

Aisling Nolan, Director of Development at the St James’s Hospital Foundation, said: “I am delighted that the hard work of the Foundation supporters, from patients to families to our own staff, has paid off with the installation and use of this new robot. Cancer care is a core service at St James’s Hospital and this robot will help our cancer patients and the staff who care for them every day.”

The project was made possible due to a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team including pharmacists, technicians, engineers, electricians and ICT staff along with commercial partners to plan, implement and test the technology.

CEO of St James’s Hospital Prof Mary Day said: “The Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute aspires to being a comprehensive cancer centre where patient care, research, clinical trials and cutting edge treatments combine to lead to better patient outcomes and experiences. Being the first hospital in the UK or Ireland to use this new robot to make chemotherapy drugs is another example of how we are constantly striving to find new and better ways to serve our patients and assist our staff.”

The Fintech Corridor and ATPC launch one-of-a-kind transatlantic exchange

(Dublin/Belfast/Atlanta, GA) – The Fintech Corridor (TFC) and the American Transaction Processors Coalition (ATPC), today announced a new partnership to offer a one-of-a-kind exchange driving transatlantic workforce development, policy best practices, investment, and internationalization between Belfast and Dublin, and the United States of America.

American companies continue to invest in Ireland due to a strong historical relationship and its unique access to both Europe and UK following Brexit. The transatlantic exchange was set up to strengthen these relationships, develop common goals and create structured initiatives to enable fintechs in the US, EU, and UK access to new global value chains.

The Fintech Corridor and ATPC will explore these relationships, policy themes and regulatory schemes in a summit which takes place in Dublin and Belfast between May 13-16, 2024. The venues will for the events will be the Guinness Storehouse, Belfast City Hall and Killeavy Castle, not Hillsborough Castle and Leinster House and will serve as historic and interactive backdrops for the conference which will see senior leaders from the finance and technology sector as well as government development agencies to explore collaboration and hot topics like cybersecurity and AI.

The 2024 Transatlantic Exchange will focus on ‘elevating fintech; to drive a program that goes beyond mere policy and economic transactions. Instead, the goal is to build real relationships and understanding among an exclusive group of fewer than 75 industry executives, government representatives, and academic institutions. The organisation expects to announce multiple formal Memos of Understanding during the conference that will forever change the fintech and payments processing industries.  

“Our organizations established a desire to build connectivity between payments and fintech corridors and drive visibility; foster relationships; share technology and policy best practices; and bolster international investment,” said TFC CEO Hilary Moran. “A successful program of events will drive greater connectivity and collaboration within the US, EU and UK, while allowing participants to build meaningful relationships in a relaxed ‘exchange’ environment.”

“This unique cross-border proposition connects US, EU, and UK fintech ecosystems and will help drive deeper understanding of opportunities in each governance zone,” said ATPC Executive Director H. West Richards. “Brexit profoundly changed how EU and UK fintech companies interact with each other, and access to companies in both jurisdictions will enable us to work closely to develop common solutions and increase cooperation and opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic, especially as US regulators work on cybersecurity, data privacy and other critical issues.”

The ATPC, founded in 2014 and headquartered in the State of Georgia’s “Transaction Alley,” served as a blueprint for The Fintech Corridor’s work. And the two organizations became acquainted during the pandemic as TFC sought to build an education workforce development platform modeled on the Georgia Fintech Academy. A relationship grew from there and the conference was born in order to promote the spirit of cooperation, networking, education partnerships, new business opportunities, and knowledge sharing using the power of the most unique business cluster on the island of Ireland (Republic of, and Northern Ireland).

More conference details are available at www.atpcoalition.com and www.thefintechcorridor.com.

Irish Transport Intelligence Provider CitySwift Accelerates Expansion with First UK Office Opening

CitySwift, the leading company in data intelligence for the public transport sector, has today announced the opening of its first UK office, located in central London. The expansion, heralding the creation of 50 new jobs, was marked by a celebratory event at the new office today, with Minister of Finance Michael McGrath in attendance as part of a broader Enterprise Ireland delegation. Enterprise Ireland is supporting CitySwift’s scaling journey in the UK.

The office, overlooking Paddington Station in London marks a new chapter in CitySwift’s journey, as the Galway-founded company looks to create 50 jobs in its offices both in the UK and Ireland over the next two years. These jobs will include roles in Data, Product, Engineering, Customer Success and Account Management.

Brian O’Rourke, co-founder and CEO at CitySwift, said: “This is the latest milestone in our journey at CitySwift, with our new office and partnership with Transport North East, we aim to reaffirm our continued dedication to delivering real value to our customers. We’ve seen incredible growth in the last year, having closed our latest funding round a few weeks ago and we are eager to drive on and focus on expanding CitySwift’s offering across the UK, and to continue growing our exceptional team.”

Founded by Alan Farrelly and Brian O’Rourke in 2016, CitySwift works with public sector transport authorities and private bus operators to break down the barriers to accessing and interpreting transport data. CitySwift’s platform aggregates, cleans and enriches data from hundreds of sources, providing both operators and authorities with an accurate single source of truth. Rapid access to accurate data across the entire network fuels this collaboration, enabling both parties to take a more dynamic, data-driven approach to move passengers away from private modes of transport to more sustainable, climate-friendly public transportation.

Speaking at today’s event, Minister of Finance, Michael McGrath, said following the ribbon cutting: “I am delighted to join the CitySwift team today to celebrate the opening of their new office space in London. Today’s expansion announcement is testament to the huge opportunities that await Irish exporters in the UK market and paves the way for CitySwift, a leader in data and machine learning for the public transport sector, to significantly scale its business internationally. The Government, through Enterprise Ireland, looks forward to continued engagement with CitySwift to support the growth of the business into the future.”

Deirdre McPartlin, Regional Director for UK & Nordics in Enterprise Ireland, added: “CitySwift is a great example of a company whose success can be directly attributed to a dedication to solve customer problems and deliver tangible benefits straight away. By demonstrating their ongoing commitment to their customers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland over a number of years, the leadership team have built enormous credibility across the whole market. The opening of this office in London is a critical next step in their ongoing growth in the UK. In Enterprise Ireland we are delighted to have been part of CitySwift’s success through our start-up, innovation and in-market support.”

In addition to the opening of this new office, CitySwift today has also announced its latest partnership with Transport North East (TNE), covering bus journeys across the North East region, including Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham. This partnership will support delivery of the objectives laid out in the North East Bus Service Improvement Plan, with CitySwift’s platform being leveraged to improve bus punctuality and increase passenger satisfaction. Additionally, CitySwift will work with TNE to monitor bus priority investment impact, examining congestion, passenger delays, and network pinch points.

Heather Jones, Head of Enhanced Partnerships at TNE, said on the announcement: “CitySwift’s platform offers Transport North East an exciting opportunity to use data to revolutionise bus services and enhance the overall passenger experience. Partnering with CitySwift aligns with the objectives of the North East Bus Service Improvement Plan, enabling us to address congestion, reduce passenger delays, and identify network pinch points more effectively. This collaboration will play a crucial role in delivering more efficient, sustainable, and customer-focused public transport to the communities we serve.”

This recent partnership marks a 150% increase in CitySwift’s customer base last year, which now includes transport networks in all major UK cities, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, and the entire country of Wales. Notable clients in addition to Transport North East include National Express, Go-Ahead Group, Transport for Wales, Metroline, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Translink, and Blackpool Transport.

This announcement comes during a busy period for the company, which has recently announced the close of its latest funding round of €7 million led by Gresham House Ventures. In addition to further expansion plans, these funds will fuel CitySwift’s platform development and client services, solidifying its position as a transportation data leader globally.

Dyson Airstrait now available in the UK and Ireland

The eagerly anticipated wait of Dyson’s latest haircare innovation is finally over… Airstrait is HERE and available to purchase in the UK and Ireland from today the 5th of February 2024.

After revolutionising the haircare industry in 2016 with the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, Dyson are proud to launch this unique addition to their haircare family in the UK and Ireland.

Fuelled by the desire to improve everyday technology, the Dyson Airstrait straightener is a wet to dry straightening tool with air. No hot plates. No heat damage. With its cutting-edge technology and sleek design, this sought after hair tool is a must-have one of a kind that is set to change the game in haircare. 

So, what are you waiting for, get your hands on the latest Dyson hair care innovation now!

Fueled by the desire to improve everyday technology, James Dyson has announced the European launch of the Dyson Airstrait™ straightener – wet to dry straightening with air. No hot plates. No heat damage.

Dyson Airstrait

Engineered for multiple hair types, stylers can achieve a natural straight style, with body and movement, whilst maintaining the strengthand healthy look and feel of their hair. The hair tress is contained by two arms, from which a precisely angled high-pressure blade of air is forced downwards and into the hair, both simultaneously drying and straight styling, with one machine. 

“Having a strong understanding of how to manipulate and realise the potential of powerful airflow is fundamental to the performance of the Dyson Airstrait™ straightener. This expertise, which we’ve gained over the last 25 years, is what has enabled us to deliver our first wet to dry straightener, with no hot plates, and no heat damage. Delivering the ease-of-use that people love about straighteners but with high-velocity air blades, saves time, maintains hair strength and achieves an everyday natural straight style.” James Dyson, Founder and Chief Engineer.

Airflow. Precision air jets.

Along the arms of the machine are two 1.5mm apertures. Airflow is accelerated through these apertures, creating two high-velocity downward blades of air. Projected at a 45° angle, they converge to form one focused jet of air, creating the downward force to straighten hair as it dries, with control. This directional airflow helps align the hair strands for a smooth and shiny finish.

The science behind styling

Dyson has been researching into the science of style for over a decade and is investing half a billion GBP to expand and accelerate research and technology development across the beauty category. Our engineers have studied in detail everything from the structure of hair to airflow dynamics whilst understanding thermal, mechanical and chemical damage – and the subsequent effects on hair health.  

To change your hair style, hydrogen bonds within each hair strand must be broken and reset to hold a new shape. This can be done with heat or moisture. Styling with powerful airflow from wet, results in less need for high heat, creating less frizz and flyaways and protects natural shine. 

When hair is wet, water naturally weakens these bonds. In this state, the bonds are more elastic and can be reset as hair dries, without using extreme temperatures. By using the optimum level of heat and controlled airflow, we’ve found a way to style hair with less damage.  Styling with air allows for the creation of straight styles whilst maintaining volume and movement. Once hair is dry and aligned, the bonds are reset in different ways, locking the new style in place.

Dyson Hyperdymium™ motor

The Dyson Airstrait straightener is powered by the Hyperdymium motor – specifically engineered to be at the heart of Dyson’s Hair Care technologies. It is small, light and powerful enough to generate the airflow needed to dry and straighten hair simultaneously, from wet. A 13-blade impeller spins up to 106,000rpm, propelling over 11.9 litres of air through the machine per second. This generates up to 3.5kPa of air pressure, enough to straighten hair as it dries. At 27mm, the motor is small enough to fit in the handle – with no sacrifice on power.

Intelligent Heat Control

Like the rest of the Dyson hair care range, the Dyson Airstrait straightener features intelligent heat control. Glass bead thermistors measure the temperature of the airflow 30 times per second to prevent heat damage and protect hair’s natural shine. This data is sent to the microprocessor which regulates the heating element, ensuring airflow doesn’t exceed the temperature required.

 

Two styling modes. Temperature control.

The Dyson Airstrait™ straightener has ‘Wet’ and ‘Dry’ styling modes, and a ‘Cool’ mode to set the style. The ‘Wet’ and ‘Dry’ modes are pre-set with the specific heat and airflow combination for the best results. In ‘Wet’ mode, choose among three heat settings of 80°C (175°F), 110°C (230°F), and 140°C (285°F). In ‘Dry’ mode, choose between 120°C (250°F) or 140°C (285°F) or a top up “boost”. For airflow control, there are two speed settings, low flow and high flow, as well as a cold shot and root drying mode.

The Dyson Airstrait straightener will be launched in the UK and Ireland in February 2024, and is priced at £449.99/ €499.99 available from Dyson Demo Stores and www.dyson.ie 

 

 

Must-Visit Gaming Technology Events in the UK and Ireland

The United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland have emerged as vibrant hubs for gaming technology, hosting an array of events that cater to enthusiasts, professionals and industry leaders. 

There are plenty of events lined up over the next 11 months, bringing together developers, gamers, investors and enthusiasts in an exciting mix of knowledge and sheer fun.

These gatherings offer a unique blend of innovation, networking opportunities and insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of gaming technology. 

Whether you are a seasoned industry veteran or a curious newcomer, these must-visit gaming technology events in the UK & Ireland are worth checking out.

They will spark your interest and open up new opportunities in the ever-evolving world of gaming.

ICE London – February 6-8

The International Casino Exhibition (ICE) is firmly established as one of the most important events in the gaming industry’s annual calendar, hosting around 650 international exhibitors showcasing their products and services at ExCeL London. 

The event provides a comprehensive glimpse into the latest trends across a number of sectors, ranging from sports betting and online casinos to mobile development and eSports. 

The top Irish casino sites will join their UK counterparts to showcase their latest innovations, which will undoubtedly attract a wide audience and an increased customer base.

ICE London also offers valuable networking opportunities, and educational sessions relating to the lucrative iGaming industry are also an integral part of this feature-packed three-day event. 

One of the notable highlights of ICE London is the strong focus on eSports, and this year’s event line-up will be no different. ICE London will feature a Formula 1 eSports showcase, allowing enthusiasts to wager on some exciting high-octane action.

An extra layer of excitement to the showcase is the provision of live odds throughout the arena, enabling gaming fans to engage in real-time wagering on the races. 

ICE London will serve as a platform for industry players to showcase their innovations while offering a platform for knowledge exchange and fostering connections within the gaming industry.

Torquay Comic Con & Gaming Festival – February 17

The family-friendly Torquay Comic Con and Gaming Festival is scheduled to take place at the Riviera Centre on Saturday, February 17. 

This exciting event boasts a vast range of attractions, including captivating cosplay contests, appearances by comic artists, diverse vendor offerings and impressive displays of rare collectables. 

The event also offers plenty of excitement for gaming enthusiasts, featuring the Gaming 4u Gaming Zone.

This includes virtual reality (VR) games, Mario Kart and more, allowing attendees to test themselves against fellow gamers.

Develop:Brighton – July 9-11

The Develop:Brighton conference has grown into a cornerstone event in the gaming sector, serving as a crucial platform for the UK and Irish game development industry. 

This conference serves as an epicentre where industry professionals converge to network, exchange ideas and cultivate meaningful partnerships in an inclusive and collaborative environment.

The 2023 edition delved into important topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) content, player acquisition and monetisation, covering the spectrum of gaming genres.

Informative conference sessions led by the top talents in the industry offer delegates a unique opportunity to gather insights from those who have ascended to the pinnacle of their profession.

This three-day extravaganza is a must-attend for anyone involved in the gaming industry, providing a chance to shape the future of their innovations by learning from the foremost thought leaders in the sector.

Develop:Brighton is a testament to the dynamism and collaborative spirit that propels the gaming industry forward, making it an indispensable annual event for those who seek to stay at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.

GamerFest Dublin – October 22-23

GamerFest is the premier gaming convention and eSports festival in Ireland, having successfully hosted events since 2017 that collectively attracted over 10,000 enthusiastic visitors across various Irish venues.

Dublin is set to host the upcoming GamerFest in October, which promises an exceptional weekend experience for 5,000 gamers.

The event offers attendees a chance to immerse themselves in the latest games, engage with their favourite content creators and witness thrilling gaming action on the GamerFest Live Stage.

Since the inaugural edition of GamerFest, an unwavering commitment to the gaming community has remained a priority to the organisers.

This dedication is reflected in the detailed and precise planning of each event, ensuring an unforgettable experience for attendees. 

The emphasis on community guides every aspect of the events, with organisers striving to provide the best possible games, content, special guests and entertainment.

GamerFest events are grand celebrations of all facets of gaming, encompassing eSports, virtual reality, live stage performances, captivating cosplay displays and a treasure trove of enticing merchandise. 

They aim to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where gamers and enthusiasts can come together to share their passion and revel in the gaming world.

Google Ads is fully rolled out to advertisers in the US and UK

Google have just announced that conversational experience in Google Ads is fully rolled out to advertisers in the US and UK and it will be rolling out globally to all English language advertisers over the next few weeks.

The conversational experience was first announced last year and helps businesses of all sizes build better Search campaigns through a chat-based experience. After months of testing, we’re excited to bring this to more advertisers around the world.

Some of the highlights are

  • This is the first of many Gemini integrations for Google Ads.

  • All advertisers need to do is enter their website and Google AI will generate relevant ad content, including creatives (images, headlines, descriptions) and keywords.

  • Advertisers retain full control over which assets are ultimately deployed as part of their campaign and they can iterate on the generated content via the chat function.

  • All images created with generative AI in Google Ads, including conversational experience, will include open standard metadata and be invisibly watermarked with SynthID.

For smaller businesses, the conversational experience is especially helpful at scaling creative and more easily building high-performing campaigns, while larger agencies may find it useful to quickly deploy and test campaign concepts before rolling them out more broadly.

Find out more on the blog post from Shashi Thakur, VP & GM in Google Ads here: Put Google AI to work with Search ads.

Source Galileo and Lhyfe join forces for green hydrogen production in Ireland and the UK

Source Galile, a Dublin based European renewable energy developer, and European green and renewable hydrogen producer and supplier Lhyfe today announced their joint agreement to develop commercial-scale green and renewable hydrogen production units in Ireland and the UK.

The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the goal of deploying production facilities powered by renewable energy, providing a boost to the net zero emissions goals of both countries.

Under the agreement, Source Galileo and Lhyfe will combine their expertise to generate and supply the environmentally friendly gas to a variety of customers across industry and transport, helping them decarbonise their operations.

The partnership will see Source Galileo and Lhyfe collaborate to establish commercial-scale green hydrogen production. The energy firms are exploring opportunities in Ireland, focusing on identifying consumers and assessing factors such as grid availability, power supply, land accessibility, and planning requirements. Plans are already underway for multiple plants in the UK.

By working together, Source Galileo and Lhyfe believe that their economies of scale can accelerate the roll-out of green hydrogen, meeting the increasing demand from companies aiming to reduce their reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels.

Initially, the companies will focus on using electricity from onshore renewable sources. However, in the longer term, they could harness the enormous offshore wind potential in Ireland and the UK, which would help overcome electricity grid constraints.

Green hydrogen can support deep decarbonisation, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, including chemicals and steelmaking. It can also be used for heavy transport, including buses, trucks, construction or logistics vehicles, etc. Green hydrogen, produced from water and electrolysis, can also in the long term replace the more than 3000 TWh of hydrogen currently produced from oil, gas and coal throughout the world.

The Irish Government published its National Hydrogen Strategy in July 2023, outlining plans to develop 2GW of hydrogen production from offshore wind farms in the country by 2030. The UK Government has doubled its low-carbon hydrogen production target from 5GW to 10GW by 2030, with at least half of this coming from green hydrogen.

Source Galileo was founded to accelerate the roll-out of large-scale renewable energy projects as part of the energy transition. It has a pipeline of approximately 10GW of offshore wind and hydrogen projects under development in Ireland, the UK and Norway. The company is also developing onshore battery storage and solar projects.

Lhyfe (EURONEXT: LHYFE) is one of the world’s pioneers in producing green and renewable hydrogen by using water and wind or sun to power electrolysers. The France-based multinational’s first plant at Pays de La Loire has been operating since the second half of 2021, with two more sites inaugurated in Occitanie and Brittany in December 2023. An additional five sites are currently under construction or extension throughout Europe.

Since launching its UK operation in 2022 to support regional decarbonisation, Lhyfe has established offices in Newcastle and Sheffield. Lhyfe aims to achieve a green hydrogen production capacity of 200MW by the end of 2026 and an ambitious goal of 3GW by the end of 2030.

Kevin Lynch, CEO of Source Galileo, said: “We believe the development of a hydrogen economy alongside electricity is critical to the energy transition. Both the UK and Ireland have hydrogen strategies. The UK has committed to deploying 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, and Ireland is expected to develop at least 20GW of offshore wind by 2040, with an initial target of 2GW of hydrogen production from offshore wind by 2030. Our partnership with Lhyfe provides an onshore and offshore platform and a major step forward from which to assist in delivering government hydrogen targets.”

Stirling Habbitts, Director Hydrogen Business Development at Source Galileo, said: “With Lhyfe, we are geared towards decarbonising challenging sectors, particularly industrial processes, through the use of green hydrogen. Hydrogen’s role as an energy carrier will be pivotal in overcoming emerging constraints in current electricity grids, ensuring a supplemental and additional supply of clean energy to industries beyond the electricity grid’s current capabilities.”

Taia Kronborg, Chief Business Officer at Lhyfe, said: “We are pleased to announce this agreement with Source Galileo, which represents an exciting opportunity to drive forward the clean energy transition with large-scale green hydrogen production. At Lhyfe, we are moving at pace to enable decarbonisation in our communities and unleash the extraordinary potential of renewable energy across Ireland and the UK. Green hydrogen is one of the key solutions to reaching net zero, and the good news is it’s available to be deployed today, improving national energy security while turbo-charging local economies.”