Energy Ireland Upcoming Events
Significant progress has been made in transforming Ireland’s economy from one dominated by imported fossil fuels to a more indigenous, low carbon economy. Increasing Ireland’s electricity supply from renewable sources, mostly onshore wind, has been the major contributor to this transition. However, there are particular challenges in decarbonising both the transport and heating sectors and it is now looking probable that Ireland will not meet its 2020 targets on RES-H and RES-T. In addition, the European Union’s Clean Energy Package will drive the transition towards low carbon technologies post 2020. This will further increase the drive towards low carbon forms of energy production and there will be a review by the European Commission every two years post 2020 which will keep the focus on the progress of low carbon energy technologies.
Previous Events
Ireland’s energy path to 2020 is pre-determined by investments already made and those projects that are in progress. Investments made in the period just after 2020 will determine Ireland’s energy path to 2050. This is against a backdrop of unprecedented uncertainty and a period that is becoming increasingly chaotic. The political upheaval seen across the world has impacted directly on the energy sector. Closer to home, Brexit threatens to disrupt the Irish economy and has increased the risks around security of supply, particularly for natural gas. Renewable energy is also at an inflection point as we move beyond onshore wind, which has delivered the bulk of renewables onto the electricity system to date and will continue to have a major role to 2020.
The Renewable Energy Summit will provide a valuable opportunity to bring together the key stakeholders from across the energy sector, and those who interact with the energy sector to discuss how the contribution from renewable energy can be maximised and implemented most effectively. The objective is to create a genuine in-depth understanding of the alternative paths open to Ireland in increasing the contribution from renewable energy.
Energy Storage 2016
The Energy Storage conference was held in Belfast recently. Energy storage will be a key enabler of the low carbon energy future and has an important role to play alongside renewables in balancing the energy system. The event examined a wide range of storage technologies, the potential for energy storage and looked at some of the barriers to developing storage projects. Delegates heard from a diverse line-up of expert speakers from organisations including AES UK & Ireland, Gaelectric, the Utility Regulator, Imperial College London and EirGrid.
Northern Ireland Energy Forum 2016
The Northern Ireland Energy Forum has firmly established itself as the annual conference for Northern Ireland’s energy sector and is a not-to-be missed event for anyone with an eye on the local energy industry. It brings together all the key players, both from within Northern Ireland and further afield, to focus on the most important aspects of energy policy and latest developments from across the sector.