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SERVICES AND ESB ELECTRIC IRELAND
Aug/Sept 2011 www.esb.ie/em
New area-based Retrofit approach goes on pilot
AN AREA-BASED retrofit pilot in Cox’s Demense, Dundalk, is underway to improve the energy efficiency of 126 homes, bringing them to level C1 in the building energy rating (BER) certification system.
The pilot is a partnership between Dundalk Town Council (DTC), Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), ESB Electric Ireland and residents to trial the delivery of home energy retrofits on an area basis.
The idea is to develop an efficient and cost-effective delivery model for energy efficiency retrofit improvements that can become a model for replication across Ireland. If successful, it could be a key element of the recently announced Government ‘Better Energy’ programme in which ESB Electric Ireland will play a leading role. One of the aims of the programme is to upgrade the energy efficiency of 1,000,000 homes and buildings in Ireland by 2020.
The standard energy efficiency measures being delivered under the project include attic insulation to 300mm standard, cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, high efficiency condensing boilers and three-zone heating controls.
There are a number of innovative aspects to the project. Each house is expected to reduce its energy consumption by around 40%, with a 1.3GWh primary energy equivalent (PEE) will be delivered through increased energy efficiency.
Some houses have already been retrofitted and already residents are delighted with the improved comfort and the savings on energy bills.
The Dundalk project builds on the home retrofit capability developed under the HALO brand by Energy Services in Electric Ireland.
This is the first project of its kind in Ireland and was officially launched by minister Fergus O’Dowd T.D. in late July.
Women’s Hockey – aiming for an Olympics adventure
NOW THAT THE ESB Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge, which was held at the National Hockey Stadium, UCD in June is over the Irish Women’s team are now busy preparing for the European Championships which will take place in Monchengladbach, Germany from 20th to 28th August. The Irish Women’s team finished above their seed ranking in the ESB Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge and this has given a confidence boost for the women’s team as they now prepare for the European Championships where they have the opportunity to qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.
To be granted qualification to the Olympics, the women must finish in the top three out of all eight teams competing. Ireland will compete against Germany, England and Belgium in Group B where they will be looking for a top two finish to earn a coveted semi final spot where they could face anyone from Group A (Azerbaijan; Spain; Italy and Netherlands).
This is Ireland’s first port of call of qualifying for London 2012. If they do not qualify at this juncture they will have a second bite of the cherry in early 2012 when the qualifiers for the Olympics will take place. Venue and dates still have to be confirmed.
Coach Gene Muller and his side are now in the midst of preparations for the European Championships and we wish them the very best of luck in Germany.
Powering Queen’s students
THE NORTHERN IRELAND Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, joined representatives from ESB Electric Ireland and Queen’s University Belfast in announcing this year’s ESB Electric Ireland scholarship awards.
The scholarships form part of a partnership between ESB Electric Ireland and Queen’s University that sees students from the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme receiving a tailored support package, including financial assistance, ongoing mentoring and practical experience gained through summer and corporate placements at ESB International’s many energy sites throughout Europe.
The programme is now in its second year and Eamon Byrne joined fellow recipients from last year - Paula Dunlop and Stuart Kerr - in receiving scholarships from the Minister.
Commenting on the initiative, ESB Electric Ireland Business Markets Manager Susan Kinane said, “I’d like to congratulate Eamon Byrne on receiving his scholarship and I trust he will find the support offered through the partnership as beneficial as our scholars from last year have. Our partnership with Queen’s University is a key asset for the company, as the scheme reflects ESB Electric Ireland’s commitment to work with the education sector to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives and help position them as a central focus of our economy in the coming years. After all, it is through nurturing and developing our young people that we can help to build a strong and robust economy in Northern Ireland.”
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