Innovative engineering projects to support climate ambitions and communities in Ireland and overseas have been recognised by Engineers Ireland in its 2021 Engineering Excellence Digital Series, held in association with ESB.
The six-part video series spotlights the top engineering projects delivered by Ireland’s engineering community in 2021 and the positive impact that engineers have made to society.
Following a free-to-enter competition and judging process, five engineering projects were selected to represent the top engineering initiatives undertaken in the fields of innovation, sustainability, buildings and structures, and infrastructure in 2021. The sixth video in the series recognises Engineers Ireland’s Engineer of the Year.
Projects delivered by Ireland’s engineers and which feature in series are:
The Load Reduction Device, developed by marine engineering specialists Dublin Offshore to support offshore wind development. In addition to cost savings of over €300m for a 1GW project, the device is set to reduce the risk of mooring failure and will bridge the gap between the cost of floating and fixed offshore wind.
Dunderrow Solar Farm, the largest solar farm in the Republic of Ireland, developed by Eli Lilly Kinsale and Enerpower. The annual power generated by this solar farm is equivalent to the power consumption of Kinsale town. The solar farm allows Lilly to reduce its annual use of electricity from carbon sources by almost 6GWH and its carbon footprint by 2,350 tonnes.
The L12 Heat Pump, the world’s largest solid state, zero emission heat pump developed by Exergyn, a Dublin-based creative clean-tech company. This heat pump is currently the only refrigerant free, and carbon neutral alternative to vapour compression technologies and is putting Ireland to the forefront of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.
The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project, which has connected 20,000 homes and businesses and has ended the practice of discharging the equivalent of 40,000 wheelie bins of raw sewage into Cork Harbour every day. This project by Irish Water has also greatly improved the amenity value of the Cork Lower Harbour for the surrounding communities of Ringaskiddy, Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Passage West, Monkstown, and Cobh town.
The National Children’s Hospital Concrete Frame, a structurally ambitious and intricately engineered frame which forms the heart of the new Children’s Hospital in Dublin. From exposed concrete finish elliptical columns, to twenty metre tall inclined columns, the frame, developed by Kwik RC Frames and BAM Ireland, is vast in scale and incorporates innovative construction methodologies.
In relation to the institution’s Engineer of the Year, Aisling Hahessy, a senior structural engineer with Arup, also features in the series. She was chosen by Engineers Ireland’s officers in recognition of the impact and contribution of her work on communities both in Ireland and overseas.
A graduate of the University of Limerick, Hahessy has worked on city shaping projects globally as well as development context projects in Rwanda, Uganda, and Bangladesh. Her video in the series provides an insight into the most rewarding aspects of her career and the contribution that she has made through her work in reducing the inequalities in the world, alongside the wider engineering community.
Professor Orla Feely, president of Engineers Ireland, said: “From millimetre precise delivery on complex construction projects to grand scale thinking and innovation to support our environment and climate ambitions, the Engineering Excellence Digital Series shines a light on the creative ways in which Ireland’s engineers seek to support and transform society.
"In addition to the engineering skill needed to deliver these projects in 2021, the series also highlights the engineers behind these projects and how their work benefits communities in Ireland and overseas.”
'Innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions'
Paddy Hayes, CEO, ESB, said: “ESB is proud to support the Engineering Excellence Digital Series as it celebrates the endeavour, impact, and inspirational nature of Ireland’s engineering talent. Engineering is integral to modern life and this video series demonstrates how Ireland’s engineers are leading the way to develop innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions to combat climate change and to support communities in Ireland and overseas.”
Caroline Spillane, director general of Engineers Ireland, said: “The engineering initiatives profiled in our Engineering Excellence Digital Series remind us of the impact that the engineering profession has on the daily lives of individuals, families and communities. The challenges we face as a society all require and benefit from engineering innovation.
“By providing the public with an insight into the stories and people behind Ireland’s top engineering projects of 2021, we also hope to showcase the diversity of the profession and the many ways engineers are vital to delivering creative and sustainable solutions for modern society. We would like to thank our title sponsor ESB and our supporters Accenture and Geoscience Ireland for helping us to bring this series to fruition once again in 2021."
In addition to viewing the series, Engineers Ireland is also encouraging its 25,000 member engineers and the wider public to vote for their top engineering project featured in the series for the Engineering Endeavour of 2021 Award by noon on Friday, December 10.
Prof Feely said: “We encourage the public and our engineering community to view the series and witness the scale, complexity and ambitious nature of projects being undertaken by Ireland’s engineering community. We hope that the public will be inspired by the diversity of projects and play their role in selecting the top engineering project of 2021, by voting for their preferred video in the series.”
To view the Engineering Excellence Digital Series, held in association with ESB and supported by Accenture and Geoscience Ireland, and to cast your vote, visit: https://www.engineersireland.ie/Professionals/Events/Featured-events/Excellence-Awards/Engineering-Excellence-Digital-Series