Learn more about the remarkable and innovative projects of the SEAI Energy Award Winners 2021.

Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Energy

Duncan Stewart

Duncan Stewart has been a champion for environmental and architectural conservation since his student days. For almost three decades he has been a popular television personality in Ireland where he promoted energy conservation, quality Irish craftsmanship, and sustainable materials and design to a mass audience. More recently his involvement as producer and presenter on ‘Eco Eye’, is driven by his interests in the protection of our environment, Ireland’s biodiversity, supporting local communities and the communication of climate issues.

One of Duncan’s main concerns at present is the urgent need to introduce environmental studies across all levels of the Irish educational system. For that reason, he became a founder and course content developer for EcoEd4All, a conservation and sustainability set of modules for Transition Year students that is now being rolled out to secondary schools across the country.

Emerging Sustainable Energy Champion

Paddy Shanahan

At only 12 years of age, Paddy Shanahan is already known as a dedicated and passionate climate activist. The first ever documentary he watched, David Attenborough’s ‘Galapagos’, and a school trip to Dublin Zoo inspired him to take a great interest in sustainability and tackling climate change. Committed to doing something to help, he embarked on learning all about renewable energy, environmental protection and sustainability and joined his Green Schools Committee. Paddy went on to win a prize at the INTEL Mini scientist schools’ competition for TAPP, an eco-friendly 3rd world irrigation system, using plastic waste.

Paddy was a Dáil delegate for the Youth Assembly on Climate Change, and his continued activism includes a proposal to his school principal on making his school more energy efficient which has now been passed on to the board of management.

Energy Team of the Year

Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council

The cross-departmental Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown energy team is representative of their significant energy use, including public lighting, transport fleet and large buildings. Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown has improved its energy performance by 51% in 2020, compared to the baseline year of 2009.

They are continuously improving energy efficiency and carbon reduction through their ISO 50001 Energy Management System.  Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown’s goal is to create sustainable and cost effective zero-carbon green towns and villages and to act as an exemplar.

Large Business - Exemplary Energy Management

Pfizer Grange Castle

The site at Grange Castle is the first Pfizer site to clearly outline plans of achieving Carbon Neutrality.  Since their energy programme was introduced in 2012 it has evolved from an engineering led system to an organisational wide programme. ISO50001 was achieved in 2016 and although production numbers have doubled since 2012, their CO2 emissions have reduced by an impressive 18%.

An active and engaged member of the Large Industry Energy Network, the diverse range of projects and initiatives achieved by Pfizer Grange Castle, including commitment from leadership and active collaboration across multiple staff, stakeholders, and consultants to achieve results, is an excellent model for any large business looking to tackle their own energy outputs.

Small and Medium Business - Exemplary Energy Management

KORE Insulation

Over the past five years, KORE has implemented major reform in reducing their energy demand and carbon emissions. KORE Insulation participates in many retrofit schemes across the country and have also implemented a range of energy saving measures in their own factory.

KORE is focused on reducing their carbon emissions and have installed a solar PV renewable energy system, amongst other upgrades. KORE have set a goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Leadership in the Public Sector - Exemplary Energy Performance

An Post

An Post’s CEO has committed to net zero carbon emissions from An Post operations by 2030, with a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025 and a net zero carbon emissions target for 2030.

By the end of 2021, An Post will have approx. 1,000 electric vans in use.  An Post has positioned sustainability as the guiding principle for transformation within their business. 

Inspirational Energy Community

Inishowen Development Partnership - Inishowen SEC

Established in January 2019, Inishowen Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) is the result of a collaboration between Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP), Inishowen Co-Op, Donegal County Council, and a diverse range of stakeholders across the Inishowen community.

Their vision is that the Inishowen Peninsula will be carbon neutral by the year 2050 and the Inishowen SEC has ambitions of becoming a renewable energy centre of excellence.

Excellence in Energy Research and Innovation

GlasPort Bio Ltd

GlasPort Bio is a SME based in Galway that has developed a solution to allow greater use and reuse from perceived waste agricultural materials.  

Their GasAbate product is added to stored slurry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase biogas production following Anaerobic Digestion.  The product has the potential to reduce national emissions and enhance the renewable energy output of slurry.

Energy in Buildings

University College Cork/Tyndall National Institute

The University College Cork/Tyndall National Institute upgraded a protected structure constructed in 1903 to a high energy performance building.  An example of an early industrial building in Cork, a full Energy Efficient Design process started at concept design stage. The goal was to optimise the building capacity whilst transforming the dark spaces into light filled environments. The goal was to promote core values of wellness, sustainability and encouraging scientific interaction.  

Smart building technology was a key component of the design and smart sensors were used in the lighting along with demand control on heat, light, power, and ventilation. Energy use is also monitored in real time. The building achieved an A rating without the use of renewables.

Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy

Falls Hotel & Spa

The Falls Hotel & Spa is a family run hotel at the gateway to the Burren UNESCO Geopark in County Clare.  Installing a hydro-electric turbine on the river adjacent to the hotel has provided the Falls hotel with up to 70% of their annual electricity requirements since 2018. 

In March 2021 the hotel was declared a carbon neutral property by Green Hospitality and awarded their GreenMark recognition.