Latest Electrical Stories
Fusing transport, energy and technology – engineering an Irish revolutionSeptember 22, 2017
In the first part of his presidential address, Engineers Ireland president Dr Kieran Feighan outlines how harnessing energy to improve mobility has been the foundation for the development of many of the great empires in the world over the course of history
Energy landscape – an overview of strategic issues for IrelandSeptember 19, 2017
Eric Khoo examines the strategic issues in Ireland's energy industry, such as the potential effects of Brexit, I-SEM and climate-change policies, and outlines how we must adapt to the changing environment
Brexit uncertainty: what are the implications for the energy sector?September 12, 2017
Paul Deane, Steve Pye and Carole Mathieu explore the implications of Brexit for energy policy in the UK and Ireland, considering infrastructure investment, energy markets and interconnection, legislative uncertainty and political influence
Nuclear technology after Fukushima – where do we stand now?August 29, 2017
In the context of the battle against climate change, nuclear power offers a large-scale low-carbon source of base-load electricity, but what is the prospect for nuclear power on this island? Tom O'Flaherty reports
Power quality in hospitals – minimising equipment failures and increasing patient safetyAugust 29, 2017
Hospital patients and visitors are now allowed to use mobile phones on site without fear of interfering with medical equipment. However, hospitals still have a long way to go to reduce power quality issues, writes Steve Hughes
Will changes to Part L help us achieve ‘nearly zero energy’ building standards?August 1, 2017
Chris Croly writes that the proposed changes to Part L of the Building Regulations would not bring buildings close to ‘zero energy’ performance, but should be viewed as a minimum requirement
Unbalanced wind-farm planning exacerbates fluctuationsAugust 1, 2017
If Europe co-operated better in the field of wind energy, wind-power output would fluctuate less, according to research that combines analysis of weather patterns with Europe-wide wind electricity generation
Renewable gas in Ireland – potential benefits and challengesJuly 18, 2017
A new SEAI study shows that renewable gas could provide the equivalent of 28% of Ireland’s current gas supply by 2050 and identifies the key challenges that must be addressed to realise this potential, writes Matthew Clancy
Electric vehicle charging – best practice for sustainable developmentsJuly 18, 2017
As we face landmark changes in how we commute, we must examine the enablers for electric-vehicle charging. Mark Daly outlines how building developments must sustainably prepare for EVs and the technologies and standards involved
Engineer develops solar-powered buggies on the DIT Grangegorman campusJuly 4, 2017
PhD student Ayda Esfandyari has designed a charging station for solar-powered buggies on DIT's 73-acre Grangegorman campus. She now plans to add more buggies to the system in the future, and to use the charging station for electric bikes
Engineer unveils new spin on future of transistors with novel designJuly 4, 2017
The all-carbon, spintronic proposal could replace silicon transistors and lead to smaller, better performing structures in electronics
Engineering and medicine in the developing world – challenges and opportunitiesJuly 4, 2017
Sr Miriam Duggan MD, a missionary sister who has spent most of her life working in Africa, outlines the contribution of engineers to improving life in the developing world, where solar energy is transforming aid efforts and improvement programmes
Electrical engineers develop flexible wearable electronics using body heat for energyJuly 3, 2017
Electrical engineers have designed a flexible thermoelectric energy harvester that has the potential to rival the effectiveness of existing power wearable electronic devices using body heat as the only source of energy
From electricity to analytics – celebrating female engineers who made historyJuly 3, 2017
Helen Marston discusses the role of women in engineering in history, from the woman who wrote the first complete computer program back in 1843, to the Hollywood actress who developed torpedo technology during World War II
Wind power after 2020 – beyond the conventional electricity perspectiveJune 20, 2017
Dr David Connolly says we must look beyond the conventional ‘electricity sector’ and instead look at the complete ‘energy system’ to identify solutions that can decarbonise our energy system affordably, efficiently and sustainably
Investment in smart infrastructure: steps to the smart gridJune 20, 2017
Existing energy infrastructure is designed to distribute the predictable and controllable energy generated by fossil fuel. Adrian Kimberley discusses changing energy-generation techniques and the infrastructure changes required to introduce renewable technology
‘Forest to heat’ biomass system – is wood-chip heating right for your organisation?June 6, 2017
Wood-chip heating systems are very similar to fossil-fuel heating systems, but organisations who treat them as the same will encounter difficulties due to variabilities in moisture content and chip size. Ciaran Miller reports
Design could save truck fuel with turbulence-cutting electric wind generatorsJune 1, 2017
Researchers are experimenting with reducing drag on trucks with electric wind devices that mimic the way that vortex generators increase lift on aeroplane wings
IWEA chief claims Ireland will miss EU renewables target and faces €600m fineMay 23, 2017
Ireland has fallen behind on its 2020 renewable-energy targets, with a significant lack of progress in electrification of heat and transport, Dr Gary Healy tells Engineers Ireland conference
Exascale turbines with enormous blades could lead to more offshore energyMay 22, 2017
A new design for gigantic wind turbines, with blades longer than two football fields, could help to bring offshore 50-megawatt exascale turbines to the world