Dr. John Gallagher
Assistant Professor, Civil Struct & Env. Eng.

Projects

• Title
  • WOW! Wider business Opportunities for raw materials from Wastewater
• Summary
  • The WOW project aims to create a transition in the URBAN WATER CYCLE: from a linear approach which ends up as sewage, to a circular approach in which raw materials from sewage are recycled for biobased products. This reduces CO2-emmissions and use of natural resources. WOW! revealed market potential and interest in the 5 products which will be produced: PHA (a completely biodegradable bioplastic), bio-oil, acetic acid, biochar & biodiesel. Currently 2 Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) are signed by end-users interested in our products & techniques, and 4 in the process of getting signed. A resolution on removing legal barriers for circular use of raw materials from sewage was accepted by the North Sea Commission (covering more than 150 coastal regions) and discussed with EC in relation to harmonising EU law on circular economy and sewage.
• Funding Agency
  • European Regional Development Fund
• Date From
  • 01/09/2021
• Date To
  • 31/12/2023

• Title
  • An investigation of the effectiveness of Technical Guidance Document J (TGD J) provisions regarding flue outlet locations for solid fuel burning appliances at preventing smoke particles entering the dwelling or neighbouring dwellings
• Funding Agency
  • DHLGH
• Date From
  • 01/09/2024
• Date To
  • 31/01/2025

• Title
  • STATION-AIR: Investigating the impacts of urban railway STATION hubs on AIR quality in its environs
• Summary
  • The overall objective of the STATION-AIR project is to support the effective management and mitigation of air pollution in the environs of large urban railways hubs in Ireland. To meet this objective the following specific objectives are proposed: i) compile and review the available information on best international practice for the assessment and management of air quality arising from large urban railway hubs; ii) apply this best practice to the Irish context considering several detailed case studies and pilot sites; iii) provide an assessment of the impact of large railway hubs in Ireland on localised air quality in residential and urban areas; and iv) develop recommendations for the mitigation of air pollution emissions contributing to transport related air pollution (TRAP) in the environs of urban railway hubs.
• Funding Agency
  • Environmental Projection Agency, Department of Transport
• Date From
  • 31/03/2022
• Date To
  • 31/09/2025

• Title
  • Hybrid solutions for Renewable Energy Systems: achieving net-zero Atlantic ea energy consumers & communities
• Funding Agency
  • Interreg Atlantic Area
• Date From
  • 01/01/2024
• Date To
  • 01/12/2024

• Title
  • Transforming Rural water communities as positive Climate and Energy districts
• Funding Agency
  • Science Foundation Ireland
• Date From
  • 01/09/2023
• Date To
  • 28/02/2025

• Title
  • GOGREEN ROUTES: Resilient Optimal Urban natural, Technological and Environmental Solutions
• Summary
  • GOGREEN ROUTES delivers a focus on 360-Health, building upon the reciprocal benefits gained from human-nature interactions, sustainable physical activity, engaged citizen science and pro-environmental behaviour. GOGREEN ROUTES will initiate a process of solution conceptions which will impact well beyond the timescale of the project. Individual behaviour and lifestyle choices contribute greatly to natural capital, ecosystem conversion and biodiversity loss. These impacts are projected to worsen as the size and wealth of the global urban population continues to increase. Thus, opening minds to a new wealth of possible solutions are essential for addressing health and environmental challenges. Urban green space is associated with a wide-range of health indicators explained by a) mitigation (e.g. improved environmental quality (EQ)), b) psychological benefits (e.g. increased resilience), c) enriched biodiversity (e.g. enhanced immune function), e) safety and social cohesion and f) increased physical activity.
• Funding Agency
  • European Commission
• Date From
  • 01/04/20
• Date To
  • 31/07/24

• Title
  • Distributing our Water Resources: Utilising Integrated, Smart and low-Carbon Energy (DWR UISCE)
• Summary
  • Project Website: www.DWR-UISCE.eu Twitter:@Dwr_Uisce Improving the efficiency of water distribution in Ireland and Wales is at the core of the project ethos. This wil lbe achieved by developing new low carbon, energy-saving technologies and services. We will trial energy recovery technologies (micro-hydropower, drain water heat recovery and smart network controls) at several demonstration sites in both countries before being launched on the market. We will build a capacity for innovation in the water industry through our cluster of organisations interested in sustainability in the water-energy nexus.
• Funding Agency
  • European Regional Development Fund
• Date From
  • 01/09/16
• Date To
  • 31/02/23

• Title
  • Analysis of Packaging Waste Generation and Measurement (Re-Wrapped)
• Summary
  • The aim of this study is to critically compare alternative methodologies from across the EU for the compilation of packaging waste statistics. To determine the reliability and comparability of these methodologies based on the point of collection, the accuracy of accounting and the influence of the behaviour of producers and households.
• Funding Agency
  • Environmental Protection Agency
• Date From
  • 01/04/19
• Date To
  • 31/03/21

• Title
  • Co-I: Reducing Energy Consumption in Air Filtration Systems (RECAFS)
• Summary
  • This project aims to advance new technology aimed at reducing the energy consumption of HVAC systems up to 40% through the addition of new sustainable air pollution control technology reducing the loading of particulate matter on HVAC filters.
• Funding Agency
  • Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
• Date From
  • 01/04/19
• Date To
  • 31/03/22

• Title
  • Reducing Energy Dependency in Atlantic area Water Networks (REDAWN)
• Summary
  • Project Website: www.REDAWN.eu Twitter: @RedawnAA Significant potential currently exists to save energy, reduce costs and minimise environmental impacts in European water networks by improving the energy efficiency of water suppliers and users in the region. REDAWN will develop both the technology and policy to realise this potential, and generate understanding to help overcome any technological, institutional and social barriers to exploitation. The project aims to develop an adequate institutional, social and technological environment to foster greater resource efficiency in water networks including irrigation, public water supply, waste and storm water, and process industry. It will adopt next-gen micro-hydropower energy recovery technology in built water networks in the Atlantic Area, including in Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
• Funding Agency
  • European Research Development Fund
• Date From
  • 01/09/17
• Date To
  • 31/08/20

• Title
  • LCA of Traditional & New Construction of Residential Projects in Dublin
• Summary
  • The aim of this study is to quantify the embodied carbon, energy and resources of buildings components used in residential developments in Dublin. The study was undertaken for Dublin City Architects to inform their Departmental working group on future directions for low-carbon and resource efficient construction. The findings are intended to inform the design decisions and choices in materials by City Architects in their projects going forward.
• Funding Agency
  • Dublin City Council
• Date From
  • 01/06/19
• Date To
  • 31/09/19

• Title
  • A Market Assessment for an Innovative HVAC inlet component that reduces energy demand and extends filter lifespan in a HVAC system
• Funding Agency
  • Enterprise Ireland
• Date From
  • 01/04/19
• Date To
  • 30/06/19

• Title
  • Natural Ventilation Innovations
• Summary
  • This funding supports preliminary research and preparatory work for an upcoming ERC proposal submission in October 2019
• Funding Agency
  • Enterprise Ireland
• Date From
  • 23/01/19
• Date To
  • 22/10/19

• Title
  • Improving the Smart Control of Air Pollution in Europe (iSCAPE)
• Summary
  • Website: www.iSCAPEproject.eu Twitter:iSCAPE_project The iSCAPE project works on integrating and advancing the control of air quality and carbon emissions in European cities in the context of climate change through the development of sustainable and passive air pollution remediation strategies, policy interventions and behavioural change initiatives. It tackles the problem of reducing air pollution impacts, focusing on the use of "Passive Control Systems" in urban spaces, on policy intervention and behavioural changes of citizens lifestyle. Projections and real-world physical interventions will be applied on the urban tissue in the selected cities assessed for future climate change scenarios and representative of different cultural & lifestyles in Europe. Improving the Smart Control of Air Pollution in Europe.
• Funding Agency
  • European Commission
• Date From
  • 01/09/16
• Date To
  • 31/08/19

• Title
  • AER project
• Funding Agency
  • Enterprise Ireland
• Date From
  • 2015
• Date To
  • 2016

• Title
  • Hydro-BPT - Towards a More Sustainable System of Water Supply in Ireland and Wales: Exploring Opportunities for Hydropower in Break Pressure Tanks
• Summary
  • This project will advance the sustainability of the process of water supply in Ireland and Wales by exploiting the potential for energy recovery that exists at Break Pressure Tanks (BPTs). Water supply is a core service on which civilised society depends and it involves considerable energy consumption and CO2 emissions (water treatment, pumping and monitoring).
• Funding Agency
  • European Regional Development Fund
• Date From
  • 2011
• Date To
  • 2015

• Title
  • An investigation of the passive control of air pollution in the urban environment
• Summary
  • This was a doctoral research project to advance the knowledge and understanding of the potential and performance of passive forms of air pollution mitigation in the built environment. This required a combination of air pollution measurement and modelling studies and the development of advanced knowledge of air flow and pollutant dispersion in an urban street canyon environment. https://youtu.be/-VgnDOAOKCo
• Funding Agency
  • HEA
• Date From
  • 01/11/08
• Date To
  • 31/10/12