This annual conference aims to facilitate discussion on the role of energy research and policy in achieving Ireland’s long term clean energy goals.
2021 National Energy Research and Policy Conference
Theme: Decarbonising Transport
Thursday 25th November, 2021.
Missed it? Catch up below!
Watch conference recording Presentation Slides2021 | Guest speakers
Learn more about some of our excellent guest speakers who contributed during the online 2021 National Energy Research and Policy Conference.
Meet the Speakers- 2030 Targets - Electric Vehicles
Increase the number of electric vehicles to circa 1 million.
- 2030 Targets - Sustainable Mobility
Enable 500,000 daily sustainable travel journeys by 2030. The expansion of rail services and cycling and walking infrastructure
- 2030 Targets - Technology
New technology will play a key role in mobility; electric bikes, cargo bikes and e-scooters
- 2030 Targets - Fuel
Increase the use of biofuels in transport
- 2030 Targets - Fleet Electrification
Expand electrification of bus and rail fleets with 1,500 electric buses by 2030. Update the public transport and public fleets to low emission alternatives.
Did you know?
Ireland has recently committed in the Climate Action Plan 2021 to halving its carbon emissions by 2030. What is the road forward for transport?
Climate Action Plan 2021National Energy Research Database
Browse almost 250 energy research projects from almost 100 organisations by topic, year funded, funding agency and keyword.
Search the database2020 Conference
Decarbonisation of Ireland's Heat Sector
Conference Summary
The second annual National Energy Research & Policy Conference had a thematic focus of Decarbonisation of Ireland’s Heat Sector. We delivered the conference via a series of webinars throughout the month of November. SEAI and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) co-hosted the webinar series.
Each webinar was approx. 90-minutes and consisted of focused presentations and panel discussions, centred on the overall conference theme of Decarbonisation of Ireland’s Heat Sector.
Senior speakers from many of the key research, policy and industry organisations involved in leading the transformation of Ireland’s heat sector participated in the event. Participating organisations included:
Policy making/supporting organisations, such as the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI); the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC); the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER), the Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Housing, Planning and local Government (DHPLG) and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
Research Institutions/organisations, such as Limerick Institute of Technology, NUI Galway, University College Cork and University College Dublin.
Day 1 - Connecting Research and Policy
Thursday 5th November, 11am - 12.30pm
This opening session consisted of focused presentations and a panel discussion, centred on the theme of Connecting Research and Policy for Decarbonisation of Ireland’s Heat Sector. The session was opened by William Walsh (CEO, SEAI) and Minister Eamon Ryan TD (Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications).
View Presentation Slides Watch the recording -> password: ResearchConference0511Day 2 - Decarbonising Residential Heat
Thursday 12th November, 11am -12.30pm
Focusing on decarbonising residential heat, this session included key speaker presentations and concluded with a panel discussion which addressed innovation and collaboration for retrofit disruption.
View Presentation Slides Watch the recordingDay 3 - International Research and Policy Collaboration
Thursday 19th November, 11am -12.30pm
International research and policy collaboration to accelerate decarbonisation of Ireland’s heat sector was discussed by guest speakers, including national experts who participate in the International Energy Agency Technology Collaboration Programmes (IEA TCP).
View Presentation Slides Watch the recording -> password: InternationalResearchPolicy2020Day 4 - Heat Decarbonisation Challenge: Research Sprint
Thursday 26th November, 11am - 12:30pm
This session focused on research for the future of heat in Ireland and included a series of research presentations. We heard from leading energy researchers, showcasing their research projects, research interests and their contribution towards accelerating heat decarbonisation in Ireland in a 'research sprint' format. The session began with a keynote presentation from Prof John FitzGerald, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council.
View Presentation Slides Watch the recording -> password: ResearchSprint20202019 Conference
Transformation of Ireland's Electricity Sector
Conference summary
SEAI and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) co-hosted the first annual National Energy Research & Policy Conference in November 2019. The thematic focus of the conference was the Transformation of Ireland’s Electricity Sector. The conference was Chaired by Dr Phil Hemmingway (Head of Low Carbon Technologies, SEAI) and opened by William Walsh (CEO, SEAI) and Minister Richard Bruton (Minister for Communications, Climate Action & the Environment).
The purpose of the conference was to:
- facilitate discussion on the role of energy research and policy in achieving Ireland’s long term clean energy goals.
- ensure that energy policy development and implementation is informed by the best scientific advice possible.
- ensure researchers are aware of current and future energy policy priorities.
Senior speakers from many of the key research, policy and industry organisations involved in leading transformation of Ireland’s electricity sector participated in the event. Participating organisations included:
- Policy making/supporting organisations, such as the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI); the Department of Communications, Climate Action & the Environment (DCCAE); the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER), the Department of the Taoiseach; and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
- Research Institutions/organisations, such as UCD, UCC, NUIG, TCD, IERC and the ESRI
- Industry organisations, such as ESB, EirGrid, SSE and Smart Wires
The conference was fully booked and a strong attendance from organisations in the research, policy & industry sections of the electricity sector ensured varied and interesting high-quality discourse throughout the day.
Five key take-aways
The following five high-level key messages were discussed throughout the conference.
- The Climate Action Plan commits Ireland to significant targets and ambitions for the electricity sector
- Onshore wind, offshore wind and grid-scale solar energy are expected to contribute the majority of Ireland’s increase in renewable electricity generation in the period 2020 to 2030
- Energy Research & Innovation are critical enablers of Ireland’s electricity system decarbonisation ambitions.
- Energy policy in Ireland will undergo a rapid, continual and significant evolution during the period 2020 to 2030
- The transformation of Ireland’s electricity system brings with it many significant research and policy questions and opportunities