Ireland offers funding for European collaboration on renewables

In a bid to support cutting-edge energy research, development and demonstration projects, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), has announced a €500,000 ($585,475) fund that offers eligible companies, R&D organisations, and public sector bodies up to €200,000 per project.

The fund has been made available by the Irish government‘s department of communications, climate action and environment, with additional funding from the European Commission.

The cash pot has been named the ERA-net Smart Energy Systems research fund, and has been created for the development of technologies, systems and solutions to strengthen Europe’s energy ecosystem, notably though smart renewable energy supplies.

The fund was officially launched yesterday, during Nordic Clean Energy Week in Malmö, Sweden. Collaborations between researchers across Europe and Irish scientists will attempt to advance renewable energy systems.

Denis Naughten TD, Ireland's Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, said: “[This] funding announcement will build expertise through collaboration between energy researchers in Ireland and their European counterparts. It will develop solutions to shape local and regional energy systems of the future that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.”

In order to accelerate the project, a matchmaking platform has been developed to accompany proposals from applicants in Ireland interested in finding European development partners. Across 23 countries, there are currently 30 national and regional funding partners available to support the project, as well as €33 million.

Jim Gannon, Chief Executive of the SEAI said: “Through this fund, we hope to bring people together to create new ideas, form new partnerships and find solutions to the real world challenges we face as we move to a cleaner energy future.”