(L-R) Anna Conlan, Head of Ireland Electrified, Jonathan Sandham, Manager of DCSix Technologies, Brian O’Regan, Group Lead of Energy Informatics Group, Tyndall National Institute, Dáire Horgan, Senior Research & Development Specialist, Wind Energy Ireland, and Gabriela Veras, Research Development & Demonstration Programme Executive, SEAI at the Ireland Electrified Annual Conference 2025 in Croke Park.
As renewable energy production in Ireland accelerates, a new research initiative is underway to tackle the challenge of wasted energy, an issue caused by limited capacity of the national electricity grid.
Launched in July this year, the INNOV8HEAT project is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) with Tyndall National Institute, DCSix Technologies, Wind Energy Ireland and Ireland Electrified as project partners.
The project aims to address the urgent need for sustainable and efficient energy use in industry by harnessing excess wind and solar energy that would otherwise be wasted.
Wasted energy happens when renewable energy producers are instructed to reduce or stop energy output to avoid overloading the electricity grid. This pioneering research project is exploring how to direct the wasted energy in the Irish electricity system towards high energy users, such as industrial facilities.
The INNOV8HEAT project aims to transform how industrial facilities manage their heating and cooling needs through the innovative use of phase change materials, heat pumps and artificial intelligence. These materials will store energy when surplus renewable energy is available, with the stored energy then released through a heat pump when electricity demand peaks.
With AI technology and renewable energy, INNOV8HEAT aims to increase the efficiency of running an industrial facility and generate cost savings for the business. Additionally, this method will reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, minimising environmental impact.
Speaking about the research, Brian O’Regan, INNOV8HEAT project lead of Tyndall National Institute said, “Industrial heat is one of the biggest challenges in Ireland’s decarbonisation journey. Through INNOV8HEAT, we are developing technologies that reduce energy costs, enhance operational resilience, and give Irish industry a competitive edge.
“By electrifying and optimising industrial heat systems using surplus wind and solar energy, we can deliver more affordable, clean and secure energy for the sectors that form the backbone of Ireland’s economy”.
Kerrie Sheehan, Head of Research, Innovation and Electricity at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, added, “Backed by SEAI Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Programme, INNOV8HEAT exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can accelerate Ireland’s green transition, targeting the hard to decarbonise industrial sector to transform energy-intensive practices.”
INNOV8HEAT is a three-year research project running until June 2028.
Note: This research project has been supported with financial contribution from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2024, Grant number 24/RDD/01192.