SEAI encourages researchers to avail of new a €500,000 government fund for energy research projects

European collaboration to advance local and regional renewable energy systems

Funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) today announced a fund of €500,000 to support cutting-edge Irish energy research, development and demonstration projects. The aim of the call is to support regions and local communities move towards a decarbonized energy system by 2030.

Companies, research organisations and public sector organisations in the Republic of Ireland can apply for up to €200,000 per project. Additional financial support is available from the European Commission.

This ERA-Net Smart Energy Systems research fund is available for proposals to develop technologies, systems and solutions to enable a resilient European energy system through interconnected renewable energy supplies. Irish researchers will be collaborating with researchers across Europe to advance renewable energy systems.

Commenting, Denis Naughten TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, said: “Ireland faces significant challenges in meeting our binding renewable energy and energy efficiency targets. I secured this funding to build Ireland’s capacity to lead research and innovation activities in support of our low carbon transition. Today’s funding announcement will build expertise through collaboration between energy researchers in Ireland and their European counterparts. It will develop solutions to shape local and regional energy systems of the future that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.”

Jim Gannon, CEO of SEAI said: “As SEAI continues to improve Ireland’s energy research landscape, partnership with other organisations and countries is central to the change. This research call, with a focus on regions and local communities, also aligns well with our own sustainable energy community network and funding programmes. Through this fund, we hope to bring people together to create new ideas, form new partnerships and find solutions to the real world challenges we face as we move to a cleaner energy future.”

 The ERA-Net Smart Energy Systems Joint Call for projects was officially launched today at an event during Nordic Clean Energy Week in Malmö, Sweden.

Proposals must be submitted jointly by applicants from Ireland and at least one other European partner country. A project partner search and matchmaking platform has been developed to help applicants in Ireland find potential research partners. There are 30 national and regional funding partners across 23 countries in Europe with €33 million in funding available.

The closing date for preliminary project outlines is 14:00 Central European Summer Time on the 11^th of September 2018. The deadline for submission of completed proposals is 14:00 Central European Time on the 2^nd of November 2018. Projects must be between two and three years in duration.

If you are interested in applying, please contact SEAI in the early stages of project proposal preparation.