ESB Annual Report 2012 - (Page 38)
38 ESB Annual Report 2012 - Energy for connecting you
ESB INNOVATION
The challenges and opportunities presented by
energy policy objectives to achieve decarbonised,
sustainable and secure energy, call for new
technologies, renewable resources and smart
grids. ESB, as it has done over many years, is
continuing to develop new technical and business
solutions across the clean technology sector.
The opportunities and issues arising apply right
across ESB but it is recognized that the pace
and breath of developments require co-ordination
and focused investment. A separate dedicated
business area, ESB Innovation, has been
established to provide that co-ordination and
strategic focus.
The core purpose of ESB Innovation is to
lead collaboration across the ESB Group, to
identify and develop emerging technologies as
commercial business opportunities, for ESB (and
for external clients). ESB Innovation will leverage
resources, sectoral insights and smart technology
programmes across the ESB Group, to maximise
returns from existing businesses and support the
developments of new business opportunities.
ESB Innovation groups together a number of
businesses that are focused on taking assets and
insight within ESB and using those to develop
new opportunities.
ESB INTERNATIONAL
ESB International (ESBI) has a proud tradition of
providing solutions to customers around the world
and, as the centre of engineering excellence for
ESB Group, plays a leading role in the delivery of
the overall group strategy through its support in the
delivery of new networks and generation projects.
New and emergent technologies are continually
monitored and evaluated to determine where they
can best be deployed to meet ESB’s needs.
ESBI has been actively growing its external business
and has targeted key markets and clients in Europe,
Middle East, Africa and Asia for further growth
over the coming years. The range of services
offered include the full spectrum of engineering
solutions currently provided to the power sector,
supplemented by consultancy services from other
sustainable, innovative businesses developed in
ESB, e.g. Electric Vehicles, Ocean Energy and
Smart Grid technologies.
TELECOMS
ESB Telecom’s fibre-optic network forms a key part
of the national telecommunications infrastructure,
enabling broadband connectivity for businesses and
consumers. This was significantly expanded in 2012,
with the completion of a subsea fibre-optic cable
directly linking Irish business to major UK cities.
This fixed network is augmented by one of the
largest networks of independent mobile tower sites
in the country, allowing our customers to support the
growing demand for services delivered over mobile
devices and smartphones.
€200
The next stage in the evolution of the telecoms
offering will come with the recently announced Fibre
to the Building initiative which has the potential to act
as a major technology enabler for businesses and
consumers right across the country.
MILLION
THE NOVUSMODUS FUND IS ONE
OF THE LARGEST CLEAN TECH
FUNDS IN EUROPE.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
ESB ecars is on track to having one of the most
advanced electric vehicle infrastructures anywhere
in Europe. The programme has reached a milestone
target in December 2012 with more than 1,150
installed charge points, 500 of which are public, 550
domestic/commercial and 30 fast-charge points.
In addition, ESB ecars is, in conjunction with major
international partners, developing the business
models and systems to support a commercial ecar
platform. The international interest in the work being
done here was reflected during 2012 in the hosting
by ESB ecars of an International Electric Vehicle
conference in Dublin with more than 260 delegates
and speakers from Europe, US, Japan and China.
OCEAN ENERGY
Our Ocean Energy team continues to support
a range of initiatives in this new and potentially
transformative sector through its involvement in
demonstration projects such as WestWave and
support of R&D for the advancement of relevant
technology. Ocean Energy on behalf of ESB also
advocates the advantages of wave energy for Ireland
at events such as the International Conference on
Ocean Energy, held in Dublin in 2012.
NOVUSMODUS
ESB has recognised for some time that the new
solutions in technology and business models will drive
changes in how power is generated, delivered and
consumed will come from a variety of sources –
some of whom have no current connection to the
energy sector. The ESB Novusmodus fund was set
up to invest in the renewable energy and energy
efficiency sectors, and with a fund of €200 million
is one of the largest clean tech funds in Europe.
This fund builds on the engineering expertise within
ESB to evaluate and identify the most credible
investments and support them through the delivery
of their business plans – delivering both financial
returns for ESB and increasing awareness within
ESB of the new solutions being developed to meet
the energy sector’s challenges.
Through all of these businesses ESB Innovation
will deliver novel technologies and approaches to
be applied across ESB while also ensuring that
the financial returns are appropriate to sustain this
investment.
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ESB Annual Report 2012
ESB Annual Report 2012
Contents
Business Overview
Chairman’s Statement
Chief Executive Review
Our Strategy and Business Model
Operating and Financial Review
Operating Environment
Finance Review
Business Unit Sections: ESB Generation and Wholesale Markets
ESB Networks
NIE
Electric Ireland
Corporate Social Responsibility
Introduction from Executive Director, People and Sustainability
Sustainability Charter
Energy Usage 2012
ESB Innovation
Equality and Diversity
Our People
Our Community
Corporate Governance
Chairman’s Corporate Governance Statement
The Board
Executive Team
Board Members’ Report
Risk Management Report
Statement of Board Members’ Responsibilities
Independant auditor’s report to the stockholders of Electricity Supply Board (ESB)
Statement of Accounting Policies
Financial statements
Prompt Payments Act
ESB Annual Report 2012
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