STEPS First Voucher Applications Being Considered

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STEPS First Voucher Applications are currently being considered and the Irish SMEs are expected to be announced later this month. STEPS (STORAGE OF ENERGY & POWER SYSTEMS) is an Interreg NWE funded project that will assist 3cea to identify small-scale energy storage systems suitable for two testbeds in our region. The project gives funding and testbeds to SMEs to allow them to develop their products and increase their Technology Readiness Level (TRL). To read more about 3cea’s activities in STEPS, see here.

The project started in 2020 and in March 2021, over 60 SMEs across Europe applied to access the support vouchers that the scheme offers. The first voucher support will initially give the SMEs €12K of support to develop their products. The Irish SMEs are being selected and will be matched with supporting universities, both NUIG and elsewhere in Europe. 3cea will be in the position to confirm the successful STEPS first voucher applications from our region within the next month. Those SMEs that are not selected for the 1st Voucher Support are invited to apply again for the second call opening in June 2021. To learn more about the STEPS project and how you can apply, see the STEPS Business Support Programme on Interreg NWE’s site.

Irish Local Authorities advised to prepare for EUCF 2nd Call

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Irish Local Authorities are being asked to prepare for the second call of the European City Facility initiative (EUCF) which will open later this month. The second round of this European project will see a greater number of selected applicants benefit from the support and grant funding of €60,000 available to develop their sustainable energy project.

The call for applications will open from 29th March – 31st May.

For further information, including the revised guidelines for applicants and the eligibility criteria, visit the EUCF website for updates.

The EUCF team encourages Irish Local Authorities to identify their sustainable energy projects, get in touch with Ireland Country Expert, Siona Daly of Tipperary Energy Agency, and consult the EUCF website and / or helpdesk for any questions regarding the eligibility of their application.

For those in attendance, Siona Daly will be presenting the EUCF Second-Call at the AIEA webinar on April 13th. You may also register for our webinar on April 23rd 2:30 pm where Siona will discuss the EUCF and its application process. Registration for that webinar is available here. Finally, Siona will also be hosting one-to-one sessions for those that require assistance with their applications. To register your interest for this please email chealy@3cea.ie.

The EUCF project kicked off last year with great success. Over 250 applications from Local Authorities across the EU and the UK applied for the grant funding for their sustainable energy projects.

In June of last year, Irish Local Authorities were advised to join a webinar highlighting the benefits of applying for the initiative. Catch up on last year’s introduction to the EUCF initiative here.

To get advice on applying for the EUCF initiative, please contact Siona at ce.ireland@eucityfacility.eu.

Communities

Over 500 Communities engaging in SEAI Sustainable Energy Community Network

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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) announced an increase in community groups joining their Sustainable Energy Communities Network.

SEAI recently reported that there has been higher engagement with their Sustainable Energy Communities Network as many new communities across Ireland have become Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) this year.

Over 500 communities have become SEC members, with up to 25,000 citizens making a difference in their locality. Each of these SEC groups are progressing towards a low carbon future by implementing energy efficient measures in all aspects of the community, including their homes, shops, sports clubs and community buildings. Read more from SEAIs announcement here.

Of the 500 communities engaging in the SEC Programme, we at 3cea are delighted to see that over 60 of the communities are from the South East Region. Take a look at the SEC Map on the SEAI website to find your community.

For more information on community programmes and successful projects, visit: https://3cea.ie/sectors/community/

 

carlow Kilkenny Wexford energy performance

Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford on Track to Achieve 33% Energy Reduction Target by 2020

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  • Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford County Councils are 30.8% more energy efficient than in 2009
  • The three counties avoided 22,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the decade 2009-2019

The recently published Annual Report on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance covering 2019 shows that the public sector was 29% more energy efficient and on course to achieve its 33% energy efficiency target in 2020, up from 27% the previous year. This is the third year of improved performance in a row, following the introduction of the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy in 2017. The 2019 Climate Action Plan has increased the level of ambition for the public sector for the period up to 2030 by establishing two new complementary targets, a 50% improvement in energy efficiency and a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford County Councils have committed to effective energy management to making energy savings and playing their part in meeting the public sector energy efficiency targets by 2030. Local Authorities in Ireland Account for 11% of the total public sector energy consumption. Read more

STEPS Business Support Programme February Update

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Successful take-off STEPS Business Support Programme

In March 2021 energy storage technology in North-West Europe will get a boost as the Business Support Programme of STEPS begins. Up to 20 SMEs will each receive €12.5k worth of support from world renowned universities to further develop their energy storage solutions. We are excited to see the great interest in the programme as more than 55 SMEs have applied during this first open call.

Currently, the SMEs are being carefully selected and matched with the supporting universities. Applicants will be informed of the outcome in the beginning of March. SMEs that are not selected for the 1st Voucher Support are invited to apply again for the second call opening May-June 2021. Learn more about the programme and how STEPS can support you here.

To learn about 3cea’s involvement in STEPS and the project activities in the Kilkenny, Carlow, and Wexford region, click here.

STEPS is a collaborative initiative which aims to strengthen the competitiveness of innovative energy storage providers across North-West Europe.

 

sustainability tour

Engineers Ireland Sustainability Grand Tour – Design for Manufacture & Assembly – a digitised solution to low carbon modular homes

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As part of the Sustainability Grand Tour series, this webinar will examine a digitised solution to low carbon modular homes for the Irish housing crisis and their delivery through Interreg Housing 4.0 Energy. In this session we will be joined by the 3 Counties Energy Agency who will outline H4.0 technologies and materials and provide information on pilot projects from Carlow, Wexford and Kilkenny County Councils. 3 Counties Energy Agency is a non-profit, independent energy agency working primarily in Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford. The event will conclude with a short Q&A session with the panel of speakers.

Event details

Date: Thursday, 25 February 2021 from 13:00-14:00

Location: Online event – Zoom

Register your attendance: https://www.engineersireland.ie/Events/event/7334

Agenda

  • 3 Counties Energy Agency’s Regional Energy Transition Strategy to 2030
  • Introduction to low carbon and innovative H4.0 technologies and materials
  • H4.0E Pilot projects from Carlow, Wexford & Kilkenny County Councils – The Challenge and Ambition
  • Q&A

CPD Details

  • CPD Award Hours: 1
  • CPD Organisation: Engineers Ireland
  • CPD Type: Prof Body Act
  • CPD Subtype: PB/Lecture
  • CPD Competences: T4. Personal and professional responsibility
Home Retrofit

3cea partner with ERI to provide home retrofit service for homeowners in the South East

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3 Counties Energy Agency have partnered with ERI Managed Energy Solutions to deliver SEAI’s National Home Retrofit Scheme.

Homeowners in the South East of Ireland who wish to improve their home’s BER rating are being advised to apply for a new retrofit scheme which offers 35% grant aid.

Stephen Harte, Managing Director of ERI, offers his expertise on the new retrofitting scheme.

Stephen, the founder of ERI, has an Engineering qualification from University of Limerick with 30 years’ experience in the building and commercial sectors.

“ERI specialises in helping homeowners with deep energy retrofits. Since starting in 2007, ERI  have carried out over 1,000 building energy assessments and consulted on hundreds of low energy construction projects.” 

In the last five years Stephen has spent three years as Project Manager for the deep retrofit scheme from its inception as a pilot in 2015 through to 2018. Stephen has also been involved in the management of over 150 end to end whole house retrofits in that time.

What is the National Home Retrofit Scheme?  Read more

3cea CEO Paddy Phelan discusses Microgeneration on Morning Ireland

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3cea were asked to participate in a radio interview on microgeneration for the Morning Ireland show on RTE 1 Radio this morning.

The news piece featured on the show between 7 and 8am with a panel of speakers discussing the benefits to microgeneration.

The news piece included insights from Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, 3 Counties Energy Agency CEO Paddy Phelan, Tommy O’Shea of O’Shea Farms, Piltown Co. Kilkenny and Dara Lynott, CEO of the Electricity Association of Ireland.

Listen to the interview in full here.

 

 

Renewable Energy Investment Forum

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The Southern Regional Assembly will host a webinar on Thursday 4th February to support renewable energy in the region.

The Southern Regional Assembly have set ambitious objectives for renewable energy which will require buy in from a number of stakeholders from the public sector, private sector and community groups.

This webinar will highlight the renewable energy targets set for the country, and the region, while also discussing how we plan to achieve these targets. Local and regional authorities will be key players in supporting the Southern Region with renewable energy investment. Speaking on the webinar will be a panel of experts from the various stakeholder groups, including Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD.

The webinar will take place on February 4th, 2021 and will start at 9:15 AM.

If you are unable to attend on the day, it is advised to still register for the event as a recording will be shared to all registrants.

Register Here

See attached agenda for full details.

 

Sustainable Regions in Action 2021

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FEDARENE have recently launched their “Sustainable Regions in Action” yearly publication which offers a look into the projects European regions and their energy agencies are implementing. 

The most recent edition of the annual publication highlights the work of local and regional authorities, island states and the energy agencies within each of them.

FEDARENE provide an overview of their activities over the past year and their perspectives for the future. A selection of their members’ most inspiring projects are also included. These projects are divided in 12 categories including:

  • Adapting and planning in times of climate crisis;
  • Accelerating Island’s Energy Transition;
  • Energy communities: citizens’ action for cleaner energy;
  • Financing responsible projects for a brighter future;
  • Enhancing Industry and SMEs’ responsibility;
  • Setting up energy efficiency measures;
  • Sustaining Renewables Sources;
  • Highway to Eco-mobility;
  • Tackling Energy Poverty;
  • Circular Economy;
  • Healthy Environment, Healthy Citizens!
  • Educating, training and raising awareness.

3 Counties Energy Agency feature in this publication under the Accelerating Island’s Energy Transition category. Take a look at what we shared on page 19.

Read the publication here: Sustainable Regions in Action 2021