Why Wind Energy Is So Important For Ireland’s Renewable Energy Future

Why Wind Energy Is So Important For Ireland’s Renewable Energy Future

Interesting interview with David Connolly CEO at @IWEA, Chairperson at @IrelandDEA

.What is your background briefly?

I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Limerick, after which I completed a PhD in Energy Modelling also at the University of Limerick. I moved to Denmark to work as firstly, an Assistant Professor and then an Associate Professor in Aalborg University, at the facility located in the centre of Copenhagen. My research and teaching in the University focused on developing low-carbon and even 100% renewable energy scenarios for various different countries, mostly EU Member States. I moved back to Ireland in 2017 to take up the role as Head of Policy in IWEA and moved into the CEO role in 2018.

Does it seem like a logical background to what you do now?

Yes there was a very natural transition from my role at Aalborg University to my life now. The daily purpose in IWEA is closely aligned to my previous work in Aalborg University, but based on a different foundation. In academia you produce your own knowledge and you typically know every detail of what you are promoting. In a trade association like IWEA, you are gathering your knowledge from members as well as external stakeholders, so you depend on other people rather than on your own science.

This took a bit of time to adjust to, but life in a trade association is somewhat similar to life in academia: both require a lot of knowledge building, promoting your ideas, trying to convince others that you have a good idea and both span across a variety of different roles. In university you need to balance teaching, research, project applications, presentations, and from time-to-time the media, while in IWEA you need to balance a lot of meetings (internal and external), budgets, sales, presentations and much more often the media. So similar, but some differences at the foundations.

Why did you get involved with IWEA?

I am passionate about fighting climate change and particularly 100% renewable energy systems. I strongly believe that wind energy will be the single most important technology in Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon, zero-carbon or 100% renewable energy system, so when I saw the opportunity to work in a role where I could advocate for this technology on a daily basis, I grabbed it with both hands.

Why do you think it is such a powerful idea?

People often think that fighting climate change will make life more difficult or that it requires us to sacrifice in some way, but wind energy in Ireland is not only good for the climate, it is a really good idea for our pockets, our health and our security. Over the last 20 years, wind energy has been the ‘new kid on the block’ so there have been a lot of technological improvements in that time. Combining these with that fact that Ireland is one of the windiest countries in the world means that we are now entering an era where wind energy is not only the cleanest form of electricity, but also the cheapest.

The price of electricity from fossil fuels is approximately €50-60/MWh, but we are now seeing wind energy in other countries with less wind than Ireland selling electricity for less than €40/MWh. Once we start using the latest wind energy technology in Ireland, like they have used in these countries, then we will be able to get cheaper energy and cleaner air thanks to wind available all around us in Ireland. We will be able to use our own resources to save money and emissions, to me that’s very powerful.

How can people find out more about you & your work?

The best place to keep up to date about IWEA is to join as a member by visiting our website (www.iwea.com). I have a personal website with an overview of all my academic research from the past if anyone would like to see my theories or publications: www.dconnolly.net.

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