Ministers announce plan for European electricity supergrid

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Energy minister Eamon Ryan has said that formal preparations for a European electricity supergrid have begun.
 
In Brussels today, energy ministers from ten European countries signed an agreement on the North Seas Countries Offshore Grid Initiative, which will aim to develop a supergrid in northern Europe, increase the amount of renewable energy produced in the Europe's northern seas and facilitate large scale offshore wind projects.

New funding for green energy companies in Ireland

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Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced new funding for renewable energy companies in Ireland.
 
The funding is part of a Europe-wide programme that will be managed jointly by the European Commission, European Investment Bank and EU member states. It will assist eight carbon capture and storage and 34 renewable energy projects in the EU.

Wufi training workshop to be held in Dublin next month

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The Building Life Consultancy and Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics are providing a two-day Wufi Pro training workshop in Dublin on 14-15 December.

This is only the third English language workshop of its kind to be offered in Europe according to the Building Life Consultancy, and will train members of the construction industry to use Fraunhofer’s Wufi Pro software for hygrothermal (heat and moisture) simulations of building fabric.

ESB launches new home energy upgrade service

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The ESB has launched Halo, the utility's new home energy upgrade and efficiency service. The Halo Installation Service is designed as a "one-stop solution" for home energy upgrades, the company said.

US energy secretary to speak in Dublin on Friday

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US secretary for energy Dr Steven Chu will speak in Dublin this Friday, 5 November. He will speak at the Pathways to 2050 International Energy Conference, which will take place at the National Convention Centre, Dublin.

Deadline extended for energy efficiency awards

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The deadline for submitting entries to the Isover Energy Efficiency Awards (EEA) has been extended until October 11.

The inaugural awards scheme is being targeted at building professionals including architects, engineers, builders and developers, across Ireland, who have worked on both new build and renovation projects with very low energy demand.

New Irish passive house association launched in Dublin

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People planning to build a new home could save themselves thousands of euro each year by developing a passive house, according to the Passive House Association of Ireland (PHAI), a new low energy design initiative comprising passive house designers and contractors.

Plan to energy upgrade one million buildings launched

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One million residential, public and commercial buildings in Ireland will get energy upgrades by 2020 under the latest national retrofit strategy. A consultation was launched this morning on the plan, which will aim to deliver 8,000 GWh of energy savings between 2011 and 2020.

RIAI host one day course on home energy upgrades

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The RIAI, in partnership with Joseph Little Architects, has announced the launch of an intensive one day programme on home energy upgrades designed specifically for architectural professionals. The course will be delivered through lectures and workshops.

NUI Galway launches degree in energy systems engineering

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Energy minister Eamon Ryan launched the new BE (Bachelor of Engineering) programme in energy systems engineering on Monday in NUI Galway.
 
The new course, which will be based in the new engineering building currently under construction on the campus, has been developed in partnership with members of the energy industry including ESB, GE Energy, Airtricity, Bord Gáis and Wavebob.