Two major research initiatives have been launched by ESB in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin's ADAPT and CONNECT research centres. The goal is to empower large energy consumers to make more informed decisions about their energy use, benefiting both the environment and Ireland's green agenda.

The project teams gathered at Trinity College Dublin's Long Room in front of the art installation ‘Gaia,’ symbolizing their shared dedication to understanding and preserving the complex interconnections within the world. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Michelle Olmstead, Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer at Trinity; Professor Marco Ruffini of CONNECT; Geraldine Moloney from ESB; and Professor Hitesh Tewari of ADAPT.

The research aims to accelerate technological innovation to drive the energy transition and help Ireland meet its carbon reduction targets. The two collaborative projects, scheduled to run for 18 months, will deliver tangible societal benefits in the fight against climate change.

CONNECT Partnership

Led by Professor Marco Ruffini, the project with CONNECT will focus on utilizing data from the electrical grid to optimize energy use for large energy users (LEUs), such as data centres and pharmaceutical plants. By leveraging detailed market-based data models, LEUs will be able to make more informed energy consumption decisions, balancing demand and supply more efficiently.

ADAPT Partnership

The collaboration with ADAPT, spearheaded by Professor Hitesh Tewari, will tackle challenges within the Guarantee of Origin (GO) certification market. GO certificates verify that power is sourced from renewable energy. This research will explore new, blockchain-powered methods for real-time certificate generation and distribution, improving transparency and reducing delays in the process, ensuring timely use by green energy consumers.

Addressing the Energy Crisis

In the face of growing energy demand, which has strained fossil fuel reserves and led to increased costs and emissions, ESB has focused on incorporating renewable energy sources to meet demand sustainably. The partnership with Trinity College is a crucial step in this effort.

Leadership Perspectives

Geraldine Moloney, Head of New Ventures at ESB, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “ESB is thrilled to partner with ADAPT and CONNECT at Trinity College Dublin. Through research and innovation, we aim to progress towards our Net Zero emissions target by 2040. Partnerships like this are vital to addressing the challenges of energy consumption and driving the transition to cleaner energy.”

Professor Marco Ruffini highlighted the project’s potential: “Efficient resource allocation is key to sustainability and cost savings. In this collaboration, we will create an intelligent task scheduler that optimizes energy use by considering real-time energy price fluctuations. This approach will reduce operational costs while maximizing the use of green energy.”

Professor Hitesh Tewari expressed excitement about the opportunity to apply blockchain technology: “This collaboration with ESB is an exciting chance to showcase the potential of Distributed Ledger Technology in creating and distributing GO certificates. It will allow large energy users to confidently confirm that they are utilizing renewable energy for their operations.”

Dr. Michelle Olmstead, Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer at Trinity, concluded: “This partnership exemplifies ESB's commitment to leading the energy transition through innovation. At Trinity, we are committed to leveraging our research expertise to address climate change by partnering with forward-thinking organizations like ESB. Together, we are fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to create real impact.”

This collaboration is expected to set new standards in energy consumption and management, significantly advancing Ireland’s clean energy future.