The document discusses energy research and innovation opportunities in Ireland to support the transformation of the electricity sector. It provides an overview of Ireland's energy targets, research context, and supports available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Key areas of focus for research include renewable energy integration, electricity market design, and enabling 70% of electricity to come from renewables by 2030. The SEAI supports energy research through its RD&D program funding innovative projects. International collaboration opportunities also exist through programs like Horizon 2020 and the International Energy Agency.

1. Energy research and innovation for transformation of Ireland’s
electricity sector
Wednesday the 20th November 2019
Dr Lucy Corcoran
Programme Executive, SEAI Research & Innovation

2. Overview
2 www.seai.ie
Introduction
Energy Targets
Research Context
Energy RD&D Supports
Collaborating for Transformation of the Electricity Sector
Summary

3. 3 www.seai.ie
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Ireland’s energy will be sustainable, secure, affordable and clean
1. Use Less
2. Use Clean
3. Innovate

4. Setting the scene
4

5. Progress towards overall renewable target
5 www.seai.ie
Electricity
30.1% 40%2020 Target
Heat
6.9% 12%2020 Target
Transport
7.4% 10%2020 Target

6. State of Play – 2020 Energy & Climate Targets
RES-E RES-H RES-T
Renewable
Energy
Energy
Efficiency
Non-ETS
Emissions
96% 74% 83% 70% 28%
*Based on average of potential ‘likely’ outcomes in 2020
Likely* 2020 Outcome - Sectoral Likely* 2020 Outcome - Overall
90%

7. 7
Renewable energy share in electricity (RES-E)
www.seai.ie
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Wind (normalised) Hydro (normalised) Biomass Landfill Gas Other
Source: SEAI https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/renewables/

8. • Design and Implement the RESS
• Enhanced Interconnection
• 70% Electricity from Renewables by 2030
• Microgeneration scheme – selling back to grid
• Phase-out of coal & peat for electricity
generation
• Increased Support for Technology Research &
Innovation
• Mobilise Low Carbon Tech Clusters to become
Centres of Excellence
• Plan & Enable Jobs Growth in Low Carbon
Economy
Climate Action Plan
8 www.seai.ie

9. 9
Research context

10. 10 www.seai.ie
How does Ireland compare internationally?
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
Public energy RD&D spend per thousand units of GDP
Source: IEA - https://www.iea.org/statistics/rdd/

11. 11
Energy RD&D Supports

12. SEAI Research & Innovation Activities
2. Horizon 2020 – Delegate for Energy
3. SET Plan Steering Group
4. UNFCCC - Technology
5. International Energy Agency
• Funds innovative energy RD&D Projects
• Open to companies, RPOs, semi-state and public bodies
1. SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Programme
Lead & coordinate energy research funding in Ireland

13. SEAI RD&D Funding Programme – Main Changes
Coordinated approach to priority setting
• Top-down: cross-sectoral & cross-Government consultation
• Bottom up: ‘open call’ aspect to which applicants can pitch
Multi-year funding – funding of projects up to 4-years in duration and up to €650k
Co-funding partnerships
• Tangible impacts meeting cross-sectoral
innovation, practice & policy needs
• Funding leverage for energy-sector
Improved guidance

14. SEAI RD&D Funding Programme – Step Change
The outcome of all the improvements?
• Programme now attracts >€35M in applications vs <€1M just 2 years ago
• In 2018 & 2019 - €20M (+co-funding) awarded ~100 projects

15. Summary - Energy Research & Innovation Funding Opportunities
SEAI RD&D Funding
2019 Awards announced
Next Call - Late 2020, budget dependent
SEAI IEA Calls: Network with world
leaders in energy R&D. Regular SEAI
calls for appointment of experts
Horizon 2020
• Check H2020 Energy WP 2018-2020.
• Contact H2020 Energy NCP for advice on funding opportunities, proposals &
partnering https://www.seai.ie/grants/research-funding/horizon-2020/
Innovation Fund
New €10Bn EC fund. Innovative energy & low carbon tech demos. Opening 2020.
ERA-NETs
• Smart Energy Systems – technical evaluation complete – Nov/Dec 2019 start
• Ocean Energy – deadline passed early April 2019

16. International Energy RD&D Opportunities
Nearly €80Bn
€100Bn

17. 17
SEAI supported energy
RD&D projects

18. SEAI RD&D Programme – Sample Projects
I-SEM: intensive power trading, increased responsibility on generators
Artificial intelligence for energy generation & demand forecasting
SSE Airtricity & UCD Centre for Applied Data Analytics
Grid integration of microgeneration (solar PV & battery)
Developing power monitoring & demand control hardware & software
Electricity Exchange DAC
Identifying impact & importance of curtailment on high RES-E systems
Focus on meeting Ireland’s 2030 & 2040 targets
Mullan Grid, ABO Wind, Coillte & DCU

19. SEAI RD&D Programme – Sample Projects
WindPearl - Aims to improve O&M of onshore wind turbine farms in Ireland
through bespoke data analytics, focusing on early and accurate downtime
prediction with improved power curve forecasts.
UCD, TCD and WFSO Ltd Cork
Role of Heterogeneous Energy Storage in Paris-Aligned Scenarios for
the Irish Energy System - Scenario Modelling
Insight Centre, DCU
Dublin Region Energy Masterplan – planning for 2030 & 2050 CO2 targets
Cost-optimal, technically feasible & spatially possible scenarios
Codema, DCC, Fingal, South Dublin, DLR Rathdown

20. SEAI National Energy Research Database
20 www.seai.ie
SEAI National Energy Research Database:
https://www.seai.ie/resources/seai-research/research-projects/

21. 21
Collaborating for transformation
of the electricity sector

22. International collaboration opportunities
22 www.seai.ie
International Energy Agency (IEA):
• Network with world leaders in energy R&D
• Regular SEAI calls for appointment of
experts
https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-
research/international-energy-agency/
ERA-Net Smart Energy Systems JPP
Network of 30 Energy RD&D Funding
Partners from 23 countries
Side Event Today - 4:15pm – 6pm
Scoping for multinational RDD projects on
Digital Energy System Transformation
Fully booked

23. Collaboration opportunity
23 www.seai.ie
Supporting transformation of Ireland’s
electricity sector
• What are the key focus areas for research?
• What are the policy needs/enablers?
• Collaborative RD&D opportunities?

24. Summary - Energy Research & Innovation Funding Opportunities
SEAI RD&D Funding
2019 Awards announced
Next Call - Late 2020, budget dependent
SEAI IEA Calls: Network with world
leaders in energy R&D. Regular SEAI
calls for appointment of experts
Horizon 2020
• Check H2020 Energy WP 2018-2020.
• Contact H2020 Energy NCP for advice on funding opportunities, proposals &
partnering https://www.seai.ie/grants/research-funding/horizon-2020/
Innovation Fund
New €10Bn EC fund. Innovative energy & low carbon tech demos. Opening 2020.
ERA-NETs
• Smart Energy Systems – technical evaluation complete – Nov/Dec 2019 start
• Ocean Energy – deadline passed early April 2019

25. Thank you for listening
SEAI – supporting national energy research & innovation
Website: https://www.seai.ie/resources/seai-research/
Email: EnergyResearch@seai.ie