University College Dublin (UCD) has today announced the establishment of a new Energy Institute. The Institute has attracted donor funding of €5m and substantial additional funding from industry. It was formally launched by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., at Government Buildings today.
The Institute will concentrate its research on Energy Systems Integration which provides the basis for enhanced energy performance, reduced cost and minimises environmental impact – a challenge across the world. It will partner in a major national initiative designed to produce a fully operational Smart Grid Network Test Bed in close collaboration with Ireland’s electricity transmission and distribution system operators EirGrid and ESB Networks. The Test Bed will also provide opportunities for further collaboration with national and international companies in the energy sector and in the ICT sector. The integration of renewable energy to electricity grids is a strategically important research area for Ireland given its wealth of renewable energy resources and Ireland’s electricity grid is uniquely positioned to be utilised as an international location for testing new technologies.
The new Institute will host over 200 world class energy researchers working in partnership with industry and the energy policy community and builds on prior research investments by SFI, Enterprise Ireland, Irish Research Council, EU and importantly, industry in this area.