Latest Electrical Stories
Powering the Nation Part 1: A worker’s view of the Shannon SchemeApril 17, 2018
The images in the recently published book Powering the Nation reflect the official story of both the buildings themselves and the complex of locks and canals, as well as the unofficial story of workers and visitors, writes Sorcha O'Brien
Making Ireland a leader in climate action and the role of ‘negative emissions’April 17, 2018
Barry McMullin, Paul Price, Mike Jones and Alwynne McGeever explore the background motivation and concepts underpinning the recent interest in NETs, and the opportunities - and risks - associated with their deployment here
Scottish coast now home to the most powerful wind turbine in the worldApril 17, 2018
A single rotation of the Vattenfall-installed 8.8 MW wind turbine dubbed the ‘world's most powerful’ can reportedly power an average UK home for a day, writes Jessica Miley
Storm Ophelia (Part II): Planning for and managing the impact on the distribution networkApril 3, 2018
The EPRI's Adrian Kelly analyses how ESB Networks planned for and managed Hurricane Ophelia and asks what lessons can be applied to other distribution system operators for future major weather events
Oil prices, the Paris Agreement and the endgame for fossil fuelsApril 3, 2018
Prof Dieter Helm writes that renewables subsidies are not going to be temporary and disappear any time soon – in fact, they are likely to be around for quite a long time
Weathering the storm (Part I): A report on the impact of Storm Ophelia on Ireland’s transmission systemMarch 20, 2018
Adrian Kelly of the Electric Power Research Institute analyses how EirGrid planned for and managed Hurricane Ophelia and asks what lessons from the experience can be applied to other system operators for future major weather events
The Lir National Ocean Test Facility: Bringing the sea to the labMarch 20, 2018
Standardised high-quality testing within Lir's 2,600m2 facility will provide the marine sector with the best chance of success which would unlock our vast offshore renewable energy resource
Renewable heat scheme may help domestic production of bioenergy to catch fireMarch 6, 2018
While the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat is relatively conservative, it is hoped that it will encourage wider participation and stimulate domestic production of bioenergy, writes Guy Milligan
A team of engineers develop a new method of keeping the lights onMarch 6, 2018
Researchers propose three ways that 100% clean, renewable energy could prevent blackouts, writes Taylor Kubota
ENERGISE project in top gear as it hooks into 1,000 best practice energy models across EuropeFebruary 20, 2018
The pan-European initiative ENERGISE aims to reduce energy usage across the EU while contributing to policy-making in the sector - and it intends to plug into 1,000 models of best practice that have been identified
Gas-competent engineering offers agri-sector fuel for thoughtFebruary 20, 2018
A commitment to 20% use of renewable gas by 2030 throws up an opportunity for gas-competent engineering and the agri-sector, writes Ian Kilgallon
A sound climate-energy strategy must tap into a whole world of R&DFebruary 6, 2018
In the final part of a three-part series, Michael O'Halloran argues that it would be unwise not to research every conceivable method for producing alternative energy because at this early stage nobody can predict the eventual outcome of research in any area
Wastewater treatment and anaerobic digestion – bridging the skills gapFebruary 6, 2018
Matt Smyth looks at the challenges faced by employers to meet the demand for skilled workers in engineering and science, and the investment required to deliver upon Ireland’s ambitions for renewable energy generation and compliance with environmental standards
From agriculture to mass consumerism – the benefits of biomassJanuary 23, 2018
In the second of a three-part series, Michael O’Halloran calls for a second ‘Green Revolution’ and says biomass production on a global scale must be the immediate priority of any global climate-energy strategy
Energy landscape – an overview of strategic issues for IrelandJanuary 23, 2018
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
The climate-energy problem: if we fail to plan, we plan to failJanuary 9, 2018
In the first of a three-part series, Michael O’Halloran outlines the macroeconomic fact that the global economy is dependent on 95 million barrels of irreplaceable oil every day and we are sleepwalking into climatic and economic disaster
Sustainable developments in the use of anaerobic digestion to treat wastewaterJanuary 9, 2018
Seamus Crickley writes that mainstream anaerobic digestion has been the foremost wastewater development in recent years and is worth the judicious process design required for application in wastewater polishing
Climate change: exploring a citizen-centric paradigmJanuary 9, 2018
Ireland's energy landscape is facing a significant transformation. Paul O’Brien writes that the challenge for the Irish Government is to implement policy mechanisms to drive positive behaviours by rewarding energy citizens
Robert Halpin – the Wicklow master mariner who connected the worldDecember 5, 2017
Wicklow native Robert Halpin became a sailor aged just 11, survived a shipwreck at 15, ran blockades during the American Civil War, saved lives and helped lay the first trans-Atlantic cable. Kenneth Mitchell reports on his extraordinary life
Why are wind turbines always painted white?December 5, 2017
Wind turbines are both despised and beloved, but why are they always painted white? Not only does it increase their lifespan, but from ground level it helps them blend in, while from the air it helps them stand out. Christopher Madden reports