Who we are
We are a non-profit, independent energy agency working primarily in Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford. We have a voluntary Board of Directors drawn from the private, public and community sectors.
Our Region is a leader in sustainable efficient use of locally produced clean energy delivering low carbon homes, jobs and enterprise.
A region that encourages and enables its energy consumers to act responsibly.
A Region that has produces surplus local clean energy supply. (a nett positive energy region)
A region that encourages and enables its citizens) to act and participate easily and effectively in the energy transition with rewards for their investment (time, effort, money and actions)
A region that is an attractive place to live, work, play and invest
The 3cea will play a strategic role regionally, partnering with its members and supporting all stakeholders on their energy transition journey to 2030 and beyond. 3cea will continue to play a leading role in the region by initiating exemplar local actions, working in collaboration with our member groups.
Be the Trusted Intermediary between the citizen and the system.
Offer support to all citizens, communities and businesses, so that they can become increasingly active participants in navigating the energy transition.
Partner with actors with similar goals and values, to ensure achievement of regional targets by 2030.
Develop and deliver projects which increase aggregation and efficiency at a regional level.
Reduce and minimise barriers and challenges.
Prioritise the reduction of fuel poverty and ensuring that no section of the community is left behind.
We have framed our values in three pairs, as below. Within each pair, we recognise there is a potential tension that needs to be monitored and managed.
3cea is an independent entity of its founders at which its members represent the company whilst sitting upon its board. We will do and say what we believe to be necessary to achieve the region’s energy transition and, at the same time, we will work in partnership with others for the benefit of the region.
The energy transition needs to work for, make sense for and include all people and all communities. We will help to make the transition no more complicated than necessary and, at the same time, our work is based on evidence (data, research and reflection). We will seek to use our experience and evidence to contribute to continuous improvements in policy and practice.
At 3cea, we enjoy innovating and removing barriers and seek to share our innovations widely. We can be trusted to deliver ongoing services reliably to high standards and to be open, honest and accountable for our results.
CEO
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Paddy is CEO of 3cea, President of the Irish BioEnergy Association, Executive Committee of the Irish Wind Farmers Association, Member of the Chambers of Ireland Low Carbon Taskforce, Committee Member of European Biogas Association. A graduate of School of Engineering (BE Civil) UCD in 2000. Board Member of SEAI between 2015-2018 with expertise on Community Energy / technical / entrepreneurship. Part time lecturer in WIT in Sustainable Energy Engineering Level 8 Course – Modules include: Energy Policy & Legislation, Energy Auditing, Building Energy Management and Service Tech Integration for Low Carbon Buildings. Level 9: Energy Auditing Masters Module
20 years engineering post graduate experience. Managing a multi-disciplinary team which has grown from 2 to 16 in 6 short years at the 3 Counties Energy Agency CLG, a not for profit local acting regional energy agency. Paddy has significant experience across all areas of energy, in energy efficiency, energy management and land based renewable/clean technologies. Significant experience in the built environment retrofit process with emphasis on social housing retrofit since 2012 with Carlow, Kilkenny & Wexford Social housing providers in Local Authority and Housing Association sites.
Senior Engineer
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Alex joined 3 Counties Energy Agency in October 2015 after 3-years as an energy engineer with TEA. She hold a First Class Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering from WIT, and an Honours Degree in Civil Engineering (BA, BAI) from Trinity College Dublin. Alex is also a Certified Energy Manager, accredited by the Association of Energy Engineers, and is a Registered Energy Auditor with SEAI.
She is highly experienced in implementing projects in the public, private and community sectors relating to energy efficiency and renewable technologies. Alex specialises in community energy projects and project managing grant funding programmes. She also has vast experience working on EU funded projects.
Alex also works on behalf of SEAI as Partnership Support Mentor (PSM) to public sector bodies and as a Monitoring & Reporting expert, assisting local authorities to meet their statutory obligations in relation to SI 426 of 2014.
Office Manager
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Bill joined 3CEA in December 2019 as the Office Manager for the admin team to assist the company with their mission and bring continuous improvement and greater collaboration between everyone in the organisation. Previously Bill worked in IT Service Management for the past 18 years for a broad range of companies most recently in China for AstraZeneca.
Marketing & Communications
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Mari has previous experience in digital marketing and web project management. She looks after marketing and communication, project & event management. Mari holds first class Master’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from TUT.
Grants Administrator
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Qualified as a Mechanical Engineer with 5+ years experience in Project Management within the Manufacturing and Construction industries, in particular working in Pharmaceutical and Data centres. Positive ‘can do’ attitude with strong planning and organisational skills, Breda joined 3cea in March 2021. She is experienced in overseeing, coordinating and controlling the undertakings associated with the planning, delivery, commissioning and reporting relating to a wide range of projects. Breda believes firmly in establishing relationships with both clients and colleagues to work more effectively, deliver on and exceed expectations. Focusing mainly on the National Housing Retrofit Scheme (NHR) and Better Energy Communities Programme (BEC) within 3cea.
Communications &
Marketing Officer
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Patrick joined the team in December 2019, having recently graduated from Waterford Institute of Technology in the same year. Patrick studied the Bachelor of Business Honours Degree in WIT, specialising in Marketing. As part of this degree, Patrick also studied at the Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, in The Netherlands. This was part of the Erasmus Programme, where Patrick studied their International Business and Marketing course that focused on sustainable industries. He has previous knowledge in a variety of sectors, including over 4 years in the retail sector. Other skills Patrick has gained include food and event management, social media marketing and content creation. Having firstly joined the team as an intern, Patrick is now our Communications and Marketing Officer where he has already been involved in some exciting projects such as our 10 Year Strategy Launch Event and the Green for Micro Programme.
EU Project Communications Officer
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Colin is a recent graduate from UCC’s MSc Innovation in European Business, a Master’s degree that takes place in Cork (UCC), Paris (ISC), and Utrecht (HU). Before transferring to a business post-graduate, Colin studied Biological and Chemical Science through UCC, specialising in Microbiology in his third year.
Colin has experience in Customer service, working as a Customer Service Representative and then a Complaints Manager. He also has strong retail experience working in retail throughout his time in college. During his Master’s, Colin did an internship with Net Feasa, an IoT Communications SME based in Dingle, Co. Kerry. Here Colin worked as a Business Analyst, liaising between Net Feasa and Mol Teic (a Dingle-Based Innovation Hub) and joining several market research teams.
Colin’s interests include Rugby and Theatre having played rugby for 9 years and worked on several theatrical productions across many roles including Production Manager, Director, Stage Manager, Lighting Designer, and Actor. He also served two stints on the UCC Dramat Committee, as an Events and Collaborations Officer and as Vice-Chair/Ex-Officio. Colin also assisted with the organising of the Irish Student Drama Awards in 2018. ISDA is a national competition between college theatre societies, Colin stepped in as the Events Coordinator when Cork hosted it in 2018.
Accounts Officer
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EU Projects Manager
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Michael was appointed as the EU Projects Manager for 3cea in March 2020. Previously he was Managing Director of Action Renewables in Belfast, since April 2009. Michael is an innovative Manager with wide ranging experience across a range of disciplines, including, R&D and EU Technical Projects. He has acted as project leader in an Atlantic Area, ERDF, Interreg project and as a project partner in five other Northern Periphery Interreg projects; he was responsible for the overall programme delivery.
He is a Chartered Surveyor, and is also a Chartered Environmentalist, a qualified Project Manager and a Member of the Institute of Directors. He has been a Director of Bioenergy Europe, the European Biomass Association, since 2014, is a past President of IrBEA, the Irish Bioenergy Association., and is now a Director of IrBEA. He is also a Director of SURE a biomass certification company based in Bonn.
Michael has contributed to many academic and research documents, including EU working groups, OECD publications and the development of RE courses for Univesities. He is a skilled and experienced Chair, Facilitator and Speaker for conferences and seminars.
Energy Engineer
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Fintan joined 3CEA in December 2017 and is focused on energy auditing and project delivery. He is a highly motivated Energy Engineering professional who has gained valuable experience across a variety of sectors including both the Public and Private sectors over the last 30 years. A certified energy manager and energy auditor who is highly experienced in SI426 audits, implementing projects in the public, private and community sectors relating to energy efficiency and renewable technologies. Fintan holds a BSc. in Maths and Physics, a B.Eng. in Energy and Environmental Engineering along with a first class honours Master’s Degree in Sustainable Energy Engineering from WIT.
Energy Engineer
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Colm joined 3CEA in June. He is a recent MSc graduate from Waterford Institute of Technology, where he studied Sustainable Energy Engineering. He also holds a BSc (Honours) in Energy Management and a BSc (Ordinary) in Sustainable Building &Renewable Energy from Limerick Institute technology. Colm has experience within the construction industry, supervising in the delivery of bespoke renovations and extensions within the domestic sector. Within the 3CEA, Colm assists in analysing energy consumption across various sectors, generating detailed technical reports for numerous building types.
Energy Engineer
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Fabien is organised and hardworking Energy Engineer. MSc graduate from National Engineer School of Poitiers (France). Fabien joined 3cea in May 2019. He was HVAC and Energy Efficiency Tendering Engineer in France. He developed an expertise in the field of HVAC and energy efficiency thanks to his twelve-years of work experience. He is familiar with public and private engineering tenders, pre and post tender analysis and team responsibilities.
Energy Engineer
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Sarah is a Certified Energy Manager (Association of Energy Engineers) with 12 year’s industry experience. She is currently responsible for delivery of the Energy Management Program and provision of advise to the Local Authorities.
Sarah joined 3cea in September 2020 after returning to Ireland following 12 years in Australia . Sarah is highly experienced in development and delivery sustainability services including energy, waste, water and supply chain management to clients in the public & private sectors.
She strives to achieve more sustainable environmental outcomes for organisations and groups working alongside and collaborating with colleagues and key stakeholders.
Energy Engineer
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Chartered Environmentalist (Institute of Environmental Managers and Assessors) with 14 year’s community, public sector and industry experience. Gráinne joined 3CEA in October 2020. She holds a First-Class Masters Degree of Science in Environmental Engineering from Queens University Belfast, and a Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Limerick.
Gráinne is also a certified Lead Assessor in both Environmental Management Systems and in the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (UK). She has worked on many energy efficiency projects and is an experienced energy auditor.
Gráinne is an experienced trainer and facilitator who has used these skills in the University sector and with SME’s to give individuals the skills and knowledge they need to reduce carbon emissions in their workplace. Gráinne is the organiser of the She is Sustainable conferences in Ireland which provide networking opportunities for women working in sustainability in Ireland.
Energy Analyst
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Recently graduate of a master’s degree, Johan joined 3CEA in May 2019 after 6 months as intern in the agency. He holds a First-Class Master of Science in Energy Engineering from Grenoble Institute of Technology, France. He is earning experienced in implementing projects in the public, private and community sectors relating to energy efficiency and renewable technologies. Johan also works with local authorities relating to their energy consumption.
EU Project Officer
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Accomplished project manager and consultant with over 15 years of experience in research and implementation projects related to renewable energy, energy policy, and stakeholder engagement in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific regions. Dewi has extensive knowledge of renewable energy and climate change adaptation, hydropower, solar power, wind and marine power, Waste-to-Energy, Biogas, and biofuel.
Dewi has been a leading analyst in a wide range of research and consultancy projects for clients like the World Bank, the European Commission, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Her expertise includes planning and design, preparation, and review of complex construction data, monitoring & evaluation, reports & documentation including budget estimation, project test result and schedules. She has diverse government committee membership and industry experience with a focus on policy, decision making, and stakeholders’ engagement.
EU Project Officer
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Ralf is a Certified Building Energy Assessor for residential and non residential buildings and Energy Planner with 20 year’s industry experience. Ralf joined the 3cea team in February 2020 following a move to Ireland from Germany after caring for his children full time. He is currently working on the Housing 4.0 Energy project with a target to reduce CO2 emission and costs by using innovative and renewable materials, as well as digitalized production techniques. Ralf previously worked in Germany as an Architect mainly on detail and construction planning, tender and site inspection. He graduated in 2000 from Bergische Geamthochschule Universitaet BUGH in Wuppertal, NRW, Germany. After some years working as an Architect in Germany, Ralf moved to Dublin and worked with BucholzMcEvoy Architects, gaining much experience in detail development, modelmaking, material research, furniture design, working with renewable materials, and energy and natural ventilation of low energy buildings. In Germany in 2009 Ralf took on further education in the sector of renewable energy and energy assessments and became a certified Project Manager for Renewable Energy and Energy Planner. He then worked for Senergie GmbH in Engen, Germany: a manufacturer of Combined Heat and Power Generating Machines with a range from 30-500KWel. Ralf worked with the Project and Sales team on the implementation of Compact CHP Units for sewage treatment and biogas plants.
Chairman
Carlow County Council
KCLP
WIT
Kilkenny County Council
Kilkenny County Council
Wexford County Council
Carlow County Council
Wexford County Council
Wexford County Council
Carlow County Council
Kilkenny County Council
EAI
IT Carlow
Carlow County Council
Kilkenny County Council