Irish Investment in Energy Research Exceeded €28 Million in 2006

The report, Energy Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) in Ireland 2006, by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) said that of this funding 58 per cent came from the Irish Government, a combined total of 37 per cent came from self funding and private funding sources, while European Union programmes provided 5 per cent. SEI published the report at a special seminar this morning aimed at guiding prospective applicants to the most recent calls for proposals at EU level.

In total 321 energy RD&D projects currently being undertaken in the Republic of Ireland are identified in the report. Of the funding spent by organisations involved in energy RD&D in 2006 over €16.5 million was spent on research and development projects and almost €12 million on demonstration projects. The average funding per project during the period was over €88,000. The report also shows that in 2006, renewable energy projects accounted for €9 million of the total investment.

Brian Motherway, Head of Industry, SEI, said; "In 2006 funding increased significantly over the previous year which is extremely positive and we would expect that during 2007, and in particular 2008, this level of growth will continue to increase. What is imperative is that the increase in funding is matched with a strong return on investment and SEI expects that a high proportion of the projects currently at RD&D stage will move to full commerciality

Matthew Kennedy, National Delegate, FP7 Energy said: "Investments in energy research will enhance the competitiveness of both Irish and European economies and increase the availability of affordable energy. Over 90 per cent of CO₂ emissions that are causing climate change in the EU are attributable to energy. The RD&D inventory highlights the expenditure in both energy conservation and renewable energy projects in Ireland. This investment is a crucial step along our pathway towards meeting the EU binding CO2 targets on energy efficiency and renewable energy."

SEI’s 2006 RD&D Inventory report analyses project funding by technology area and found that ‘conservation’ projects in industry, residential and commercial, transportation and other conservation areas accounted for the majority of the projects being funded (43 per cent). Renewable energy projects accounted for 32 per cent and ‘Cross-cutting technologies and research’ 14 per cent. In the renewable energy sources category, biomass projects received the most funding (51 per cent) followed by ocean energy at 30 per cent.

Energy RD&D aims to improve and develop energy technologies and bring them into widespread use. This encompasses technological research and development and also requires an investigation into energy policy and the sociological, economic and environmental aspects of energy. The demonstration aspect of energy RD&D relates to increasing the market uptake of energy technologies.

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