The Charles Parsons Initiative (CPI) is the largest research group in energy and sustainable environment in Ireland, comprising 30 faculty and over 70 researchers, with significant funding exceeding €21 million since its establishment. Their research focuses on energy storage, biomass technologies, and energy systems evaluation, with impacts in marine sensing and climate change responses. CPI collaborates with various research centers and agencies, achieving notable recognition and multiple PhDs and publications in the field.

1. Environment
Sub Heading
And Date Sept 24, 2010

2. Charles Parsons Initiative
Energy and Sustainable Environment
• CPI Largest research group in this area in the island of Ireland
• CPI has 30 faculty members and a total of more than 70 researchers
• Associated research centres:
– Centre for Environmental Research (http://www.ul.ie/~cer),
– Mobile & Marine Robotics Research Centre
(www.ul.ie/~rescisg/C&ISGRobotics.html),
– Optical Fibre Sensors Research Facility (www.ofsrc.ul.ie),
– Carbolea (www.carbolea.ul.ie),
– Wave Energy Research Team (www.ul.ie/wert)
– Limerick Clare Energy Agency (www.lcea.ie),
• Large-scale funding FP7 €4M, PRTLI4 €600k, HEA Refurb €1M, SIF
€500k and EI Competence Centres €1M since CPI was established.
• Highest commendation (3 international reviewers & DCENR) under
the Charles Parsons Energy Awards 2006.
• CPI has raised in excess of €21M under these themes since 2001.

3. Charles Parsons Initiative
Energy and Sustainable Environment
• Theme 1 - Energy Storage and Generation
Technologies and Materials
• Theme 2 -Chemical Technologies for Biomass
and Biofuels
• Theme 3 - Evaluation of Energy Systems:
Monitoring, Modelling and Sustainability

4. Theme 3 - Evaluation of
Energy Systems: Monitoring,
Modelling and Sustainability

5. Theme 3 - Evaluation of
Energy Systems: Monitoring,
Modelling and Sustainability

6. Partners
HEA PRTLI Cycle 4
Environment & Climate Change: CPI Centres Research
Impacts & Responses Involved Area
Marine sensing
UL PIs in HEA 4 EGP: platforms and
Dr D Toal, vehicles
Prof E Lewis, Optical fibre
Dr T Newe, sensors for exhaust
Prof M H Hayes emissions & marine
Prof R Moles
Dr B Regan Shallow marine
Dr JJ Leahy ecosystem
modelling
Humic carbon
Environment related research last 6 years sequestered in
These centres have: marine sediments
€7m+ research funding raised (HEA, FP6&7, EPA,
MI, EI, SFI, Teagasc, IRCSET, Marine RTDI,...)
15+ PhDs graduated (many more in other areas).
40+ Journals (many more in other areas).

7. Sensing Platforms and Underwater
Vehicles for Marine Monitoring
Habitat Mapping with ROV UL led Research Survey
– HEA Cycle 3, on Celtic Explorer
NUIG & UL (CE0904) March 2009
Cold water corals ROV Latis Trials
ROV Survey CE0509 with Integrated
Science Missions
Chief Scientist – D Toal
UL Smart ROV Latis
Patented Technology
Marine Environment
monitoring platforms
Rostock event
triggered sensor
Seabed platform - water
mapping column sampling

8. Humic Carbon Sequestered
in Marine Sediments
Sediment cores - vibro coring
samples collected from Celtic
In climate change modelling
Explorer for analysis of
Some hold - the greatest uncertainty Sequestered Humic Carbon
relates to cloud cover – aerosols and UL Led Research Cruise -
their effect on solar warming CE0409
For others - Ocean sequestered
carbon is the greatest uncertainty
Ocean temperature rise causing
release of large quantities of
sediment sequestered humic carbon
and marine hydrates – (Methane)
Hayes Cores
These effects could swamp the effects
of anthropogenic CO2 release.

9. Optical Fibre Sensors
for Environment
Exhaust Monitoring, Water Quality, Ozone, Marine, Radiation, etc
Harmful Algal Bloom From engine To muffler
Sensors
Car Exhaust Gas Sensors

10. Limerick Clare Energy Agency
• Energy Cost & Consumption Benchmarking
• Energy & Emissions Balance
• Climate Change Strategy
• Energy Performance Labelling of Buildings –
• EPBD - BER
• Promote an Indigenous Energy Industry
• Fuel Poverty Programme
• SME – Energy Management