Engineers Ireland

About the event

The Irish Government has committed itself to an 80% reduction in emissions from the energy system by 2050. It is evident that, for Ireland to meet this goal, the decarbonisation of the heat and transport sectors is fundamental to achieving this. Specifically the electrification of heat in Irish homes and businesses is widely accepted as a key enabler to achieving Ireland’s GHG emissions reduction targets. The renovation of Ireland’s buildings to decrease energy use presents a unique opportunity to switch from fossil fuel heating systems directly to renewables based on the decarbonising electricity system. This change, outlined in the Energy White Paper, Heat Roadmap Europe and Engineers Ireland’s latest state of the nation, is a real challenge to engage people, service providers and utilities to ensure it is done to as high a standard as possible. The Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Retrofit Programme “Superhomes”, funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, is a leading example in Europe of how this can be achieved. The “Superhomes” scheme, it’s wider societal benefits and the opportunities that deep decarbonisation will bring to Ireland will be outlined.

About the speakers

Brian Montayne – ESB Innovation
Brian has been with ESB for 26 years since graduating from UCD as an Electronic Engineer. He has held numerous technical, project and senior management positions, including Corporate Communications Manager and Retail Energy Trading & Regulation Manager. Currently with Smart Energy Technologies, ESB Innovation, he is leading work on a key pillar of ESB’s strategy, the Decarbonisation of Heat.

Paul Kenny Chartered Engineer - Tipperary Energy Agency
Paul is the CEO of Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA). He has been with the agency since 2006 and is involved with both renewable energy (wind and bio-energy) and energy efficiency projects. His key technical competencies are in the areas of wind, biomass and solar energy development, energy efficiency in domestic and commercial buildings and energy efficiency in the water industry. He has worked on a large number of the agency’s European funded projects. He also works as a consultant on behalf of the SEAI's public sector programmes. Paul and his team in TEA are leading the groundbreaking “Superhomes” deep retrofit programme, funded by SEAI to enable and incentivise homeowners to bring their house to an A-rated renewably heated and powered home.  Paul holds a 1st class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, three L6 Special purpose certificates in Sustainable Energy and is currently studying an MSc in Energy through Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh. Prior to joining TEA Paul worked for Procter and Gamble as a Production Manager and Engineer for 7 years.

Admission

Free - all welcome!