Latest Electrical Stories
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
Engineers must bring authority and clarity to emotive issue of climate changeMay 9, 2017
Energy Minister Denis Naughten outlines the Government plan to accelerate biomass production through the establishment of BioEnergy Ireland and initiatives to harness wave, tidal and offshore wind energy in a sustainable manner
Trinity research finds new magnetic materials and finds them fastMay 9, 2017
AMBER researchers have identified 22 new magnets and a new discovery procedure, facilitating the fast discovery of new advanced materials for applications ranging from electronics to aerospace. Prof Stefano Sanvito reports
Developing sustainable public transport: the electric bus charging projectApril 24, 2017
Liam Mulligan discusses some of the issues involved in developing infrastructure for the electric-bus in some of the greenest cities in Europe
SOLPART – harnessing the sun to clean up industrial processes in constructionApril 24, 2017
The production of cement and lime involves fossil fuels and produces harmful greenhouse gases. The EU-funded SOLPART project has built laboratory-scale reactors that use solar power for high-temperature industrial processes
Ireland must maximise its green gas potential to meet 2020 renewables targetsApril 11, 2017
One-fifth of natural gas demand could be met by green gas from existing sources, if market barriers were removed. MaREI is developing roadmaps to help Ireland meet renewable heat and fuel targets with green gas
New insights into wind-energy fluctuations, with implications for engineering and policyApril 11, 2017
Using data from 224 Irish wind farms, Prof Mahesh Bandi’s research reveals there is a limit to how much one can average fluctuations in wind power – beyond which fluctuations can wreak havoc on the grid
Engineers design a slim, flexible and modular bus to reduce traffic congestionMarch 28, 2017
The new semi-autonomous SMFe-bus design was devised to make bus transport more attractive and affordable and lead to increased transit use and reduced car traffic