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ENERGY INTERNATIONAL
Oct/Nov 2011 www.esb.ie/em
Future Power Day
ESB ENERGY International’s Future Power Day took place on Thursday August 25th. This is the fourth year the event has been held in association with Engineers Ireland and 34 secondary school students took part this year.
Working in teams throughout the day, the students participated in several engineering challenges that involved building a wind turbine and a self-propelled car using the K’nex toy construction system. There were also hands-on demonstrations and presentations given by engineers from ESBEI.
Many thanks to everyone who gave their time and input in organising and running the day, especially Ian Riordan, who acted as co-coordinator.
The students attending this year’s event really enjoyed the balance of fun and learning and we hope it sparked their interest in engineering as they continue their studies in school and further on to college.
Michael McAndrew bids farewell to Moneypoint
Generation Operations
AFTER 40 YEARS of loyal service, Michael McAndrew, Mechanical Supervisor at Moneypoint, has retired. Michael will be known to many in Generation Operations for his diligence and commitment to ESB.
Speaking at Michael’s retirement, Station Manager Glenn Pope noted that it was his “dedication, integrity and honesty that have earned Michael the enduring respect of his colleagues in Moneypoint”.
Michael, from Clonkee, Co. Mayo, came to ESB in 1971 following an apprenticeship with Bord na Mona. He started in Moneypoint in 1983 on the construction of the station. Following construction, Michael was appointed as Assistant Mechanical Supervisor in 1986, Senior Mechanical Supervisor in 1996 and more recently, Michael has played a key role in work planning and contractor management in Moneypoint.
Michael got a great send off from all of his colleagues at the station who were keen to wish him and Eileen a long and happy retirement.
From the archives – Annual Chemists’ Conference 1984
This photograph was kindly sent to EM by Pat Colman.
ESB Networks and ESBI swap engineering graduates
ESBI
AN INITIATIVE aimed at strengthening and broadening the engineering skills of ESBI and ESB Networks graduates, as well as developing ESB’s engineering capability, is now in its second year. The initiative involves the structured rotation of five ESBI graduates to ESB Networks and, in return, five ESB Networks graduates rotate to ESBI for a 12 month period.
September saw the completion of the initiative’s first year, with participants returning to their respective businesses. A new group of graduates have now entered the programme, which, as well as giving participants an opportunity to learn about other business lines within ESB, is aimed at increasing their business and safety awareness and improving their commercial ability and their contractor and project management skills.
Sustainability Update
Cutting Energy Use
THE TOTAL ELECTRICITY use in Stephen Court was 1,265,911kWh in 2008. Since then, due largely to the efforts of staff and some energy saving technologies including Dyson dryers, energy efficient lighting and controls, energy-tracked monitoring and roof insulation, this figure has been substantially reduced:
| 2008 | 1,265,911 kWh |
| 2009 | 1,219,743 kWh |
| 2010 | 1,005,944 kWh |
| 2011(est.) | 900,000 kWh |
Lighting is responsible for more than 70% of this energy use.
With an annual electricity bill of €130,000 in 2010, these reductions represent a total saving of €48,000.
With cost cutting high up on the agenda for this and coming years, it can be seen that savings associated with energy are significant and can make a real difference to business performance.
