Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) has announced a new round of government funding for research and innovation projects aimed at accelerating Ireland’s energy transition.
SEAI plans to invest around €19 million in a multi-year pipeline of energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects, it noted, with a deadline of 1 July set for applications.
The SEAI National Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) funding programme, which has been in place for more than 20 years, has funded more than 240 projects across Ireland over the past six years, equating to total funding of €100 million.
This funding programme has included investment in solutions in wind energy, bioenergy, energy systems integration, energy efficiency, energy markets, smart grids, transportation, energy policy, community engagement, and geothermal energy.
‘Cutting-edge research’
“Fostering cutting-edge research is a pivotal step in addressing the pressing challenges of energy sustainability and efficiency,” commented Margie McCarthy, director of research and policy insight, SEAI.
“SEAI supports for research, development and demonstration aim to drive advancements that will benefit our communities and contribute significantly to Ireland’s national strategy for a sustainable future. Our commitment to energy research underscores our dedication to supporting Ireland’s goals of reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy security, and promoting economic growth through innovative energy research projects.”
Impact report launch
Coinciding with the announcement, SEAI announced the launch of its first impact report for the RD&D programme, which provides details about previous projects, and the impact derived from previous funding rounds.
Welcoming the launch of the report, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien, TD added, “Research and innovation are vital enablers for delivery of Ireland’s energy and climate ambitions. I am delighted to launch this call today, which will support our research community to innovate and investigate new technologies, approaches, and solutions to drive Ireland’s clean energy transition.” Read more here.
