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EUCF Webinar for Irish Local Authorities

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The EUCF Webinar successfully introduced the sustainable energy initiative to representatives from Local Authorities across the country

On Monday the 22nd June, 3cea in collaboration with Tipperary Energy Agency, hosted the EUCF Webinar for Irish Local Authorities interested in the European City Facility Initiative. The EUCF initiative is open for applicants and provides €60,000 for successful investment concepts for sustainable energy projects.

Local Authorities from across Ireland were invited to attend this webinar which Siona Daly, Ireland Country Expert, described the application process for interested parties in the EUCF initiative. 3cea were tasked with organising the webinar as the National Network for the EUCF.

The webinar was attended by almost all Local Authority representatives in the country, a highly successful turnout for what will be the first edition in the EUCF Webinar series.

The webinar was also recorded for any representatives who could not attend the online event.

Find out more information on the EUCF Initiative here.

To get advice on applying for the EUCF initiative, please contact Siona at siona@tippenergy.ie or Patrick at events@3cea.ie.

 

New Online Training Courses and Webinars

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Tipperary Energy Agency have recently launched two CPD accredited online courses and two webinars.

Specification & Design of Heating Systems with Heat Pumps Online Course

The course aims to enhance the knowledge base of the construction sector in Ireland with respect to heat pumps in homes and commercial buildings. The construction sector have to change their method and type of specifications and designs for heating systems from predominately high carbon heating systems to low carbon heating systems. There are a large number of different types of heat pump heating systems available with a myriad of emitters and controls that require more knowledge than before in appliance selection and design as part of an integrated design of renovations and low energy buildings. Full details here.

Solar PV for Homeowners Webinar

The Solar PV for homeowners webinar is aimed at homeowners who are thinking of installing Solar PV panels in their homes. It is free to attend and will provide attendees with the knowledge required to make informed decisions when installing Solar PV. Places are currently full but you can join our waiting list. We will also stream it live on our Facebook page and have a recording available afterwards. Full details available here.

Retrofitting Heat Pumps into Homes: Methodologies & Lessons Learned Webinar

Save the date! On Wednesday, June 24th we will host a webinar with Carbon Coop about retrofitting heat pumps into homes. More details will be available soon. Keep an eye on their website.

Introduction to Specification & Design of NZEB Homes Online Course

The course aims to educate the construction industry in the requirements of deep renovating homes in Ireland. It will cover all elements of upgrading the building fabric of an Irish building, it does not cover heating systems. It will cover wall, floor and roof upgrades, required regulations, ventilation, air-tightness, interstitial condensation. Full details available here.

Grants Master List

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Better Energy Communities (BEC) Programme

Funding Source: SEAI [embeddoc url=”http://3cea.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Grants-list-presentation-pdf-1.pdf” download=”all”]

Eligibility:

  • Cross-sector projects for increasing the energy performance of buildings, community facilities and transport systems
  • Residential housing upgrades to stock built prior to 2006
  • Private sector non-residential building works
  • Commercial organizations
  • Voluntary organizations
  • Community-based organizations
  • Public sector non-residential works

Amount:

  • A maximum grant funding of up to €1,000,000 is available for any one project
  • The recommended minimum grant application value will be €30,000
  • Up to 50% funding to community facilities – community halls, resource centres, schools, sports clubs etc.
  • Up to 30% funding for private sector – SME’s, large commercial buildings, private nursing homes and hotels
  • Amount of funding received is dependent on the project’s BEC evaluation
  • Projects greater than €250,000 must be approved by the board of SEAI
  • Projects under €250,000 may be issued contracts subject to approval but prior to the announcement of the evaluation BEC results
  • Maximum funding levels for each component of project:

Read more

CKEA welcomes Budget 2017 measures on Climate Change

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CKEA welcomes Budget 2017

Minister Denis Naughten of the Department of Communication, Climate Change and Environment issued a budget statement this week which identifies the interconnection between climate action and energy efficiency. The full press release from the Department is available on their website or further down this post.  Carlow Kilkenny and Wexford Energy Agency Manager, Paddy Phelan, has welcomed the focus and supporting measures outlined by Minister Naughten:

“CKEA welcomes Budget 2017. It sets in train the budget allocation to deliver the much anticipated Renewable Heat Incentive programme promised since 2014. Will this be enough, if delivered, to ignite the massive challenge that lays in wait to achieve the Renewable Heat target for 2020?  Only time will tell. Ireland Inc is currently set to significantly miss the target, resulting in long term fines of circa €100m per % point below the 12% Renewable Heat Target. Current reports for 2015 suggest that Ireland is circa 7.6% below that 2020 target.

 The Energy Citizens role in sustainable community programmes is marked with an increase in SEAI programme funding for Better Energy Communities and the Warmer Homes Programme.

Paddy is also delighted to see the establishment of the National Dialogue on Climate Change and would be keen for CKEA to participate. Local Energy Agencies support climate change mitigation and adaption through the county based approach for Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Planning.

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Budget 2017 Statement by Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten: Broadband, Energy Efficiency and Digital Economy focus areas for Budget 2017

11 October 2016

 

  • €100 million for energy efficiency projects €15 million for National Broadband Plan
  • Capital allocation to increase by €45m, , to more than €170m
  • Total 2017 Budget €529 million

 

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment, Denis Naughten T.D., today announced his Department’s Budget 2017 allocation. “Climate action, energy, broadband connectivity and the digital economy are amongst the most significant strategic sectors for Ireland’s economic, employment and social recovery, and Budget 2017 demonstrates committed and ongoing support for these key areas.”

 

Broadband Connectivity and the Digital Economy

Broadband connectivity remains a key social, economic and political priority.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) will play an integral role in revitalizing businesses and communities across provincial towns in rural Ireland, and additional funding of€5m has been set aside to finalise the tender process in 2017 bringing the total allocation for the National Broadband Plan in 2017 to €15 million .

A further €8m will facilitate the reallocation of the 700mhz spectrum away from TV broadcasting to support broadband and mobile telephony plans in rural areas. In freeing up a very valuable spectrum band, this crucial investment will deliver better mobile data services (including 5G), particularly in rural areas.

€3 million will be spent on the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, which helps small businesses develop their trading online capacity, as well as offering training, mentoring and support.

 

Energy and Climate Action

Energy and climate action are inextricably linked, and the Minister has affirmed this Government’s determination to meet the Paris Agreement targets within the next 398 months.

To this end, €500,000 will be directed to the establishment of a National Dialogue on Climate Change, while an additional €24m – an increase of 35% on last year – will target expanded energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes across the country.

In 2017, at least €100m will be invested on energy projects, saving over 116,000 tonnes in carbon emissions every year, reducing overall dependence on imported fossil fuels, and supporting around 3,000 jobs.

The transition away from carbon-based fuels remains a long-term goal; €7 million has been allocated to a new Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme to help achieve this.

A further €2 million will be allocated to the Better Energy Homes Scheme to support individual householders in making energy efficiency improvements to their homes, while an additional €4 million will be allocated to the Better Energy Communities Scheme.

The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme will also be expanded and its total allocation for 2017 will be increased to €8 million.

 

Environment Protection

An additional €2 million is being provided for the Environment Protection Agency to target illegal dumpers and €13 million for landfill remediation will be spent next year to clean up our landfill sites.

 

These measures are additional or enhanced commitments in the context of an overall budget in 2017 of €529 million.

 

ENDS

CKEA welcomes Budget 2017