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OPET Service The Irish Energy Centre is a joint initiative of the Irish Department of Transport, Energy & Communications and Forbairt, with a mission to support and promote energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy. It is supported by the European Union through the Community Support Framework. Forbairt is the national agency charged with the responsibility for the development of Irish business enterprise and for developing the vital technology needs of industry. The Irish Energy Centre (formerly EOLAS) has been an OPET since the first Network was created 1991, at which time a dedicated OPET Core Team was established. The Irish Energy Centre and its predecessors have been involved in the Energy Demonstration programme and THERMIE since their inception, having held national launches, and have in depth knowledge of the energy sector nationally and at local level. The OPET services offered range from database maintenance and dissemination activities in Ireland by means of the production of information tools and co-operation with professional associations. Guidance is given to prospective proposers and particularly in the Targeted Calls, the Irish Energy Centre has been involved in the initiation of project proposals. Irish Energy Centre staff attend THERMIE Sectoral Technical Committee meetings and assess the proposals for the THERMIE Committee representatives. The promotion of the JOULE/THERMIE programme and linkage to other EU programmes are important features of the Centre’s programme. Collaboration with market operators and end users for the implementation of sectorial promotion strategies of energy technologies is a major element of the OPET activities, as is the liaison with local and regional organisations, in particular the Innovation Relay Centre. The services, while separate, link in and complement the range of industrial support and technological services currently offered by the Centre and Forbairt. The Irish Energy Centre is ideally placed to work through and secure the collaboration of all appropriate Government agencies, regional and local authorities in Ireland. Activities carried out under ThermieThe Irish Energy Centre was a member of the former OPET Network 1991-1995. The former OPET contract ensured a high level of interaction between the Commission, members of the OPET Network and also at local level. A dedicated database for OPET was developed to ensure targeted contacting and dissemination of information. In OPET there has been a strong emphasis on strategy development and participation in marketing groups. During this period the Centre was involved in the promotion of the THERMIE programme, organisation of seminars, workshops and study tours, production of newsletters, studies, maxibrochures and hosting stands at exhibitions, in the fields of Rational Use of Energy and Renewable Energy Sources. The Centre also maintained a presence at the OPET Central Secretariat located in Brussels (renewable energy sources section). Since 1993 the Irish Energy Centre, as sub-contractor to TUV on a TACIS energy project, have been responsible for undertaking energy audits in a number of energy industries in the food sector in the St. Petersburg city and region. During the period July 1994 - December 1996, the Centre, originally under the OPET contract and then under the Synergy programme, had responsibility for co-ordinating the activities of the EU Energy Centre in Tallinn, Estonia. The Irish Energy Centre is represented at JOULE and THERMIE Committee meetings. Staff from the wider Forbairt organisations are represented at the Community RTD programme committees and Forbairt hosts the Irish Innovation Relay Centre. Forbairt and particularly, the Irish Innovation Relay Centre, hold Information Days on the Fourth Framework Programme and the various RTD Activities. Other contracts under SAVE, PHARE and ALTENER have been awarded to the Centre. Under other EU contracts, the Irish Energy Centre organised a study tour for Hungarian energy managers to visit the Irish dairy sector in March 1996. The Irish Energy Centre has considerable experience in energy auditing and training, and has undertaken studies in Irish hospitals. The Irish Energy Centre has provided an expert to audit three hospitals and to advise on the rational use of energy in one hospital in Latvia. National and Geographical FocusThe Irish Energy Centre has at its disposal the wider facilities of Forbairt, i.e. nine regional offices, a technical information division, a science and technology magazine and prestigious and flexible conferencing facilities. The Irish Energy Centre is the national agency with the task of co-ordinating the implementation of Government Policy in relation to energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy research in Ireland. The Centre promotes, supports and advises on energy conservation measures throughout the country. The Economic Infrastructural Operational Programme 1994-99 acknowledged energy as an important factor in national development. The Irish Energy Centre has offices in Dublin, Sligo and Cork and delivers a national service from the Renewable Energy Information Office in Bandon, Co. Cork. The Irish Energy Centre will administer £21M of funding over five years on a set of initiatives principally directed at the industrial and commercial sectors. Two grant schemes are already in place: Energy Audit Grant Scheme (EAGS) Grant aids energy audits up to 40% grant aid to a maximum of £5,000 The EAGS scheme is complemented by a programme of self audits in selected sectors of industry. Energy Efficiency Investment Support Scheme (EEISS) Supports investment in technically proven energy conservation measuresGrant assistance of up to 40% of the cost, to a maximum of £100,000, may be available. Energy savings, cost effectiveness, ease of replication and wider adoption in the market place are the eligibility criteria. The Irish Energy Centre carries out regular surveys of the market with a view to developing the work programmes, for example; in the areas of targeted technologies and the self audits schemes. Under the auspices of the European Regional Development Fund the Irish Energy Centre has collaborated with Northern Ireland authorities in cross-border collaboration in the field of renewable energy, culminating in a major conference which was held in the Autumn of 1995. Other cross-border initiatives are progressing. Nature of OrganisationPrivate Contact DetailsOPET Manager and Contact - Rita Ward Irish Energy Centre GlasnevinDublin 9 Ireland Tel + 353 1 808 2073 | |
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Last Updated: November 18, 1999 | |
