New AI-Driven Observatory Aims to Revolutionise Energy Poverty Research

Researchers at the International Energy Research Centre (IERC), based at Tyndall National Institute, are leading research into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a deeper understanding of the complex factors impacting energy poverty. The project, entitled the Irish Energy Poverty Observatory (IREPO), aims to provide a unique platform that will enable research, development, and policymaking in this area.

Energy poverty, where households cannot afford or access sufficient energy services, is influenced by various social, economic, and environmental factors. Existing approaches to understanding energy poverty are limited in their ability to capture all dimensions of the issue, relying heavily on income and expenditure metrics. IREPO aims to overcome these limitations with an innovative, data-driven approach.

IREPO, led by Dr Fábio Silva and Dr Pádraig Lyons, is a collaboration between IERC, Professor Aoife Foley from the University of Manchester UK, Professor Patricia Kearney from UCC’s School of Public Health and Non-Governmental Organisations who advocate for those experiencing energy poverty, The Wheel and South-East Energy Agency (SEEA). The development of the observatory will leverage from international best practice, and the approach can be used in other jurisdictions to provide similar insights.

The project will integrate and synthesise data from an array of sources, including surveys, historical databases, and census data. AI and machine learning algorithms will underpin the development of tools to analyse the diverse dataset and scenarios that a comprehensive view of energy poverty would demand and help identify key factors and trends. The approach will assist policymakers and stakeholders in forming effective strategies and policies to alleviate energy poverty in the context of uncertain geopolitical situations and the urgent need to decarbonise societies throughout the world.

Dr Fábio Silva, Senior Research Engineer at the IERC, said: “The development of the Irish Energy Poverty Observatory should provide a unique platform to improve policy actions and support research in this area.”

Dr Aoife Foley, University of Manchester, said: “Professor Patricia Kearney and I are very excited to work on this novel and world-leading interdisciplinary SEAI-funded project, with Dr Fabio Silva and Dr Padraig Lyons from the IERC, which will develop innovative approaches to analyse, and address the health, well-being, and economic impacts of climate change and Net Zero roadmaps on society to ensure effective and targeted solutions to guide, direct and inform decision-making for all public, private and citizen stakeholders.”

The project is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).