The Solar Energy Society of Ireland will hold its next meeting in DCU on March 9th at 6pm.
Everyone welcome
More details to follow
For further information on the Society, please contact sesireland@gmail.com
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
28/10/09: €100 million funding awarded to Ireland's electricity interconnector project
East-West interconnector is vital to Ireland’s energy needs and boost for the economy –
Minister Eamon Ryan Dublin 28 January, 2009
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has warmly welcomed the decision by the European Commission today to award €100 million in funding to Ireland's electricity interconnector project, which will link Ireland and the UK by 2012. The Commission's decision to select the Irish project for significant fast-tracked funding is part of a suite of energy projects being targeted for investment because of their strategic importance to Europe.
The package was announced today as part of a €5 billion economic stimulus package "Investing today for tomorrow's Europe". Minister Ryan has worked intensively in Brussels over the last six weeks to ensure that the Commission's support for the interconnector project was secured. He has also ensured that Ireland is included, along with the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark as part of the €150 million project to develop the offshore grid in the Northern Seas Zone. Commenting on the announcement, Minister Ryan said, "I am very pleased that our efforts have led to this European investment in Ireland. The East-West interconnector is vital infrastructure for our country and will bring many benefits. Connection to the UK will enhance the security of our energy supply. It will mean we can import electricity when required from the UK market. More importantly, it will mean we can export our electricity to the UK. When the wind is blowing in Ireland, we can sell this power to our neighbours. Interconnection will also increase competition in the electricity sector, which will benefit consumers in the long-run, placing downward pressure on prices. This project will allow us to accelerate our development of renewable energy. We are rich in renewable power; we need to develop this to secure our energy supplies. This project will also help the development of the green economy, bringing investment and jobs to Ireland in the growing renewable power industry. This investment from Europe is a significant boost to the Irish economy. It brings us one step closer to energy independence."
Minister Ryan said that the outcome was also a vital recognition of the all-island benefits which the East West Interconnector will bring for consumers North and South. "The All-island Single Electricity Market has been a flagship European project in terms of creating a single energy market across Europe. Commissioner Piebalgs has taken a direct interest in its progress. The success to date of the Single Electricity Market is now further underpinned by the support for the Interconnector project with the UK."
http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/ for more info
Minister Eamon Ryan Dublin 28 January, 2009
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has warmly welcomed the decision by the European Commission today to award €100 million in funding to Ireland's electricity interconnector project, which will link Ireland and the UK by 2012. The Commission's decision to select the Irish project for significant fast-tracked funding is part of a suite of energy projects being targeted for investment because of their strategic importance to Europe.
The package was announced today as part of a €5 billion economic stimulus package "Investing today for tomorrow's Europe". Minister Ryan has worked intensively in Brussels over the last six weeks to ensure that the Commission's support for the interconnector project was secured. He has also ensured that Ireland is included, along with the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark as part of the €150 million project to develop the offshore grid in the Northern Seas Zone. Commenting on the announcement, Minister Ryan said, "I am very pleased that our efforts have led to this European investment in Ireland. The East-West interconnector is vital infrastructure for our country and will bring many benefits. Connection to the UK will enhance the security of our energy supply. It will mean we can import electricity when required from the UK market. More importantly, it will mean we can export our electricity to the UK. When the wind is blowing in Ireland, we can sell this power to our neighbours. Interconnection will also increase competition in the electricity sector, which will benefit consumers in the long-run, placing downward pressure on prices. This project will allow us to accelerate our development of renewable energy. We are rich in renewable power; we need to develop this to secure our energy supplies. This project will also help the development of the green economy, bringing investment and jobs to Ireland in the growing renewable power industry. This investment from Europe is a significant boost to the Irish economy. It brings us one step closer to energy independence."
Minister Ryan said that the outcome was also a vital recognition of the all-island benefits which the East West Interconnector will bring for consumers North and South. "The All-island Single Electricity Market has been a flagship European project in terms of creating a single energy market across Europe. Commissioner Piebalgs has taken a direct interest in its progress. The success to date of the Single Electricity Market is now further underpinned by the support for the Interconnector project with the UK."
http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/ for more info
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
26/01/09: Ireland signs as Founding Member of International Renewable Energy Agency
Renewable Energy will bring thousands of jobs and investment into Ireland
Dublin, 26th January 2009
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced that Ireland has signed up as a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at the Founding Conference in Bonn. IRENA will be the first international organisation to concentrate exclusively on renewable energy in both developed and developing countries. Its establishment has been promoted by the German government with the strong support of such countries as Denmark and Spain."
IRENA will promote the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy worldwide - it is vital that we are involved", said Minister Ryan. Renewable energy can bring much needed international investment into Ireland, adding secure jobs into the bargain. It is the area of economic growth that we need to be involved in.
In 2008, we sent approximately €6 billion overseas for imported fossil fuels to meet our national energy demands. Renewable energy will reduce this bill.Ireland has the natural advantages, Government support and a willing industry ready to meet our target of 40% electricity from renewables over the next 11 years.
As a member of IRENA, we can link directly to the worldwide investment of more than $148 billion in this sector, creating opportunities for Irish companies, both existing and emerging. In energy terms, we are nothing if we stand alone. The foundation of this Agency puts renewable energy on a firm inter-Governmental footing. This is a sector as much in our economic interest as to our environmental benefit. It is the right strategic direction for the world and is most definitely the correct move for Ireland."
IRE NA's main activities will include:
* Providing concrete policy advice for developed and developing countries (e.g. to help them improve their regulatory frameworks)
* Promoting technology transfer and providing advice on financing and enhance capacity building
* Facilitating access to all relevant information including reliable data on the potential of renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms and state-of-the-art technological expertise.
http://www.irena.org/
Dublin, 26th January 2009
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced that Ireland has signed up as a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at the Founding Conference in Bonn. IRENA will be the first international organisation to concentrate exclusively on renewable energy in both developed and developing countries. Its establishment has been promoted by the German government with the strong support of such countries as Denmark and Spain."
IRENA will promote the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy worldwide - it is vital that we are involved", said Minister Ryan. Renewable energy can bring much needed international investment into Ireland, adding secure jobs into the bargain. It is the area of economic growth that we need to be involved in.
In 2008, we sent approximately €6 billion overseas for imported fossil fuels to meet our national energy demands. Renewable energy will reduce this bill.Ireland has the natural advantages, Government support and a willing industry ready to meet our target of 40% electricity from renewables over the next 11 years.
As a member of IRENA, we can link directly to the worldwide investment of more than $148 billion in this sector, creating opportunities for Irish companies, both existing and emerging. In energy terms, we are nothing if we stand alone. The foundation of this Agency puts renewable energy on a firm inter-Governmental footing. This is a sector as much in our economic interest as to our environmental benefit. It is the right strategic direction for the world and is most definitely the correct move for Ireland."
IRE NA's main activities will include:
* Providing concrete policy advice for developed and developing countries (e.g. to help them improve their regulatory frameworks)
* Promoting technology transfer and providing advice on financing and enhance capacity building
* Facilitating access to all relevant information including reliable data on the potential of renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms and state-of-the-art technological expertise.
http://www.irena.org/
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
14/01/09: World Record: 41.1% efficiency reached for multi-junction solar cells at Fraunhofer ISE
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have achieved a record efficiency of 41.1% for the conversion of sunlight into electricity.
Sunlight is concentrated by a factor of 454 and focused onto a small 5 mm² multi-junction solar cell made out of GaInP/GaInAs/ Ge (gallium indium phosphide, gallium indium arsenide on a germanium substrate). In contrast to conventional solar cells, the semiconductors in these cells do not have the same lattice constant (distance between the atoms in a crystalline structure). This makes it difficult to grow the III-V semiconductor layers with a high crystal quality. The researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have managed to localize the defects in a region of the solar cell that is not electrically active. This metamorphic crystal growth now enables the researchers to use a much larger range of III-V compound semiconductors for growing their multi-junction solar cells. … Source: Fraunhofer ISE
http://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/
http://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/press-and-media/press-releases/press-releases-2009/world-record-41.1-efficiency-reached-for-multi-junction-solar-cells-at-fraunhofer-ise
Sunlight is concentrated by a factor of 454 and focused onto a small 5 mm² multi-junction solar cell made out of GaInP/GaInAs/ Ge (gallium indium phosphide, gallium indium arsenide on a germanium substrate). In contrast to conventional solar cells, the semiconductors in these cells do not have the same lattice constant (distance between the atoms in a crystalline structure). This makes it difficult to grow the III-V semiconductor layers with a high crystal quality. The researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have managed to localize the defects in a region of the solar cell that is not electrically active. This metamorphic crystal growth now enables the researchers to use a much larger range of III-V compound semiconductors for growing their multi-junction solar cells. … Source: Fraunhofer ISE
http://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/
http://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/press-and-media/press-releases/press-releases-2009/world-record-41.1-efficiency-reached-for-multi-junction-solar-cells-at-fraunhofer-ise
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
13/01/09: DEL Seminar series continues Jan 26th at 4pm
Next DEL seminar is at 4pm in Focas on Jan 26th with Group 3 presenting.
Group 3
1. Tadhg O'Mahony
2. Eoghan Frawley
3. Lacour Mody Ayompe
4. Marius Claudy
5. Albert Famuyibo
6. Fergal O’Rourke
For dates of the rest of the years DEL seminars please click here http://dublinenergylab.dit.ie/intranet/documents.html
Group 3
1. Tadhg O'Mahony
2. Eoghan Frawley
3. Lacour Mody Ayompe
4. Marius Claudy
5. Albert Famuyibo
6. Fergal O’Rourke
For dates of the rest of the years DEL seminars please click here http://dublinenergylab.dit.ie/intranet/documents.html
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Transforming transport will help economy to recover - 250,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2020
Transforming transport will help economy to recover - 250,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2020
Dublin, 26 November, 2008
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and Transport Minister Noel Dempsey today set out the Government's plans for the mass deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. The Government has set a target of 10% of all vehicles in the transport fleet to be powered by electricity by 2020. This will represent some 250,000 cars on Irish roads over the next 12 years.
The Electric Vehicles plan includes:
- Tax incentives for business to purchase electric vehicles Businesses can write off 100% of the cost of purchase against tax under the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme
- A €1 million project by Sustainable Energy Ireland to research, develop and demonstrate of vehicles nationally
- Assistance for individuals purchasing electric vehicles - publication of a "Buyer's Guide" a nd a "Cost of Ownership Calculator" by Sustainable Energy Ireland
- Establishment of a National Task Force which will examine infrastructure options for national roll-out of electric vehicles, including street charging
Announcing the Government's plans, Minister Eamon Ryan said, "The Irish Government is signalling its intentions to national and international players that Ireland is 'open for business'. We are positioning ourselves as a centre for electric vehicles. The Government expects considerable international investment to emanate from this plan.
This year alone Ireland will send over €6 billion out of the country to pay for fossil fuels. I want to bring this money back into the Irish economy and fuel our transport fleet with Irish renewable electricity. Electric vehicles are central to these plans. We can reduce our fossil fuel bill and help meet our climate change challenges. Importantly, this plan will bring major investment and jobs to Ireland a s we become a centre for electric vehicles. This plan will stimulate our motor, electricity and green technology industries. It will help the economy to recover."
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said, "All journeys start with one step. This Government initiative is an important step in transforming our current unsustainable travel and transport patterns. It will help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, improve energy security and lower our transport emissions. Ireland's transport future must include smarter, more sustainable travel choices. I intend to bring a detailed sustainable travel and transport action plan to Government shortly setting out how we can move towards a sustainable transport future. We have an opportunity now to develop a more sustainable travel and transport system that can deliver an enhanced quality of life, improved competitiveness and less pollution. That makes real sense for everyone".
Mr. Brendan Halligan, Chair of SEI stated that there is "significant interest in electric vehicles in Ireland and a widespread acceptance will be required. We will need to alter our attitudes towards electric vehicles and accept that there is no other way forward. A significant amount of work will be carried out over the next years to bring electric vehicles into the mainstream in Ireland. We look forward to taking advantage of the opportunities this Government initiative presents".
Padraig McManus, Chief Executive of ESB echoed these sentiments saying that, with the development of carbon-neutral electricity, it makes eminent sense for Ireland to embrace the electric transport model as quickly as possible.
"ESB is working with all parties to facilitate the development of this sector as it will ultimately be a critical component of the green economy."The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Transport are working with Sustainable Energy Ireland, ESB, the IDA and Enterp rise Ireland to ensure co-ordination across the state sector and to deliver the cleaner transport future for Ireland.
Dublin, 26 November, 2008
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and Transport Minister Noel Dempsey today set out the Government's plans for the mass deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. The Government has set a target of 10% of all vehicles in the transport fleet to be powered by electricity by 2020. This will represent some 250,000 cars on Irish roads over the next 12 years.
The Electric Vehicles plan includes:
- Tax incentives for business to purchase electric vehicles Businesses can write off 100% of the cost of purchase against tax under the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme
- A €1 million project by Sustainable Energy Ireland to research, develop and demonstrate of vehicles nationally
- Assistance for individuals purchasing electric vehicles - publication of a "Buyer's Guide" a nd a "Cost of Ownership Calculator" by Sustainable Energy Ireland
- Establishment of a National Task Force which will examine infrastructure options for national roll-out of electric vehicles, including street charging
Announcing the Government's plans, Minister Eamon Ryan said, "The Irish Government is signalling its intentions to national and international players that Ireland is 'open for business'. We are positioning ourselves as a centre for electric vehicles. The Government expects considerable international investment to emanate from this plan.
This year alone Ireland will send over €6 billion out of the country to pay for fossil fuels. I want to bring this money back into the Irish economy and fuel our transport fleet with Irish renewable electricity. Electric vehicles are central to these plans. We can reduce our fossil fuel bill and help meet our climate change challenges. Importantly, this plan will bring major investment and jobs to Ireland a s we become a centre for electric vehicles. This plan will stimulate our motor, electricity and green technology industries. It will help the economy to recover."
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said, "All journeys start with one step. This Government initiative is an important step in transforming our current unsustainable travel and transport patterns. It will help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, improve energy security and lower our transport emissions. Ireland's transport future must include smarter, more sustainable travel choices. I intend to bring a detailed sustainable travel and transport action plan to Government shortly setting out how we can move towards a sustainable transport future. We have an opportunity now to develop a more sustainable travel and transport system that can deliver an enhanced quality of life, improved competitiveness and less pollution. That makes real sense for everyone".
Mr. Brendan Halligan, Chair of SEI stated that there is "significant interest in electric vehicles in Ireland and a widespread acceptance will be required. We will need to alter our attitudes towards electric vehicles and accept that there is no other way forward. A significant amount of work will be carried out over the next years to bring electric vehicles into the mainstream in Ireland. We look forward to taking advantage of the opportunities this Government initiative presents".
Padraig McManus, Chief Executive of ESB echoed these sentiments saying that, with the development of carbon-neutral electricity, it makes eminent sense for Ireland to embrace the electric transport model as quickly as possible.
"ESB is working with all parties to facilitate the development of this sector as it will ultimately be a critical component of the green economy."The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Transport are working with Sustainable Energy Ireland, ESB, the IDA and Enterp rise Ireland to ensure co-ordination across the state sector and to deliver the cleaner transport future for Ireland.
39.7% – European Record Efficiency for Solar Cells from Fraunhofer ISE
At 39.7% efficiency for a multi-junction solar cell, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg have exceeded their own European record of 37.6% which they achieved just a short time ago. III-V semiconductor multi-junction solar cells are used in photovoltaic concentrator technology for solar power stations.
“We have improved the contact structures of our solar cells,” says Frank Dimroth, Head of the III-V – Epitaxy and Solar Cells Group at Fraunhofer ISE. “As a result, using the same semiconductor structures, we now achieve the higher efficiency when converting sunlight into electricity.”
Click here for more info
“We have improved the contact structures of our solar cells,” says Frank Dimroth, Head of the III-V – Epitaxy and Solar Cells Group at Fraunhofer ISE. “As a result, using the same semiconductor structures, we now achieve the higher efficiency when converting sunlight into electricity.”
Click here for more info
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