This conference series aimed to facilitate discussion on the role of energy research and policy in achieving Ireland’s long term clean energy goals.
Webinar Series
Every Thursday in November 2020
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) will 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.
The purpose of this conference series 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 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).
Agenda - Connecting Research and Policy - Thursday 5th November
| Agenda - Connecting Research and Policy - Thursday 5th November, 11am - 12.30pm |
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Session Chair: Jim Scheer, Head of Policy Insights, SEAI Welcome and Introduction: William Walsh, CEO SEAI Ministerial Address: Eamon Ryan T.D. Minister for the Environment, Climate & Communications |
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Presentations
Q&A with Presenters |
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Panel Discussion - Pathways to Heat Sector Decarbonisation Panel Chair: Dermot Byrne, SEAI Board Chairperson
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Day 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.
Agenda - Decarbonising Residential Heat - Thursday 12th November
| Agenda - Decarbonising Residential Heat - Thursday 12th November, 11am - 12.30pm |
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Session Chair: Josephine Maguire, National Coordinator - Better Energy, SEAI Welcome and Introduction Keynote: Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EuroACE) |
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Presentations
Q&A with Presenters |
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Panel Discussion - Innovation and collaboration for retrofit disruption. Panel Chair - Declan Meally, Head of Transport & Communities, SEAI
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Day 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).
Agenda - International Research and Policy Collaboration - Thursday19th November
| Agenda - International Research and Policy Collaboration - Thursday 19th November, 11am -12.30pm |
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Session Chair: Solène Goy, Research and Technology, SEAI Welcome and Introduction Keynote: Jan Rosenow, European Programme Director, the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) |
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Presentations
Q&A with presenters |
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Panel Discussion - Decarbonising heat as a global challenge Panel Chair: Emer Dennehy, Data & Insights, SEAI
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Day 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
Agenda - Heat Decarbonisation Challenge: Research Sprint - Thursday 26th November
| Agenda - Heat Decarbonisation Challenge - Research Sprint - Thursday 26th November, 11am -12.30pm |
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Session Chair: Lucy Corcoran, Research and Technology, SEAI Welcome and Introduction Keynote: John FitzGerald, Climate Change Advisory Council |
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Presentations - Heat Decarbonisation Challenge - Research Sprint
Q&A with presenters |
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2020 Conference Series Closing- Lucy Corcoran, Research and Technology, SEAI |
Guest Speakers
Learn more about our guest speakers who contributed during the 2020 National Energy Research and Policy Conference online webinar series.
Meet the Speakers2019 Conference
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