Mobile application to predict optimal energy efficient route for solar vehicles
Irish researchers have created a mobile app that calculates the best route for solar-powered vehicles based on user preferences for time and energy efficiency. The app’s experiment predicted the most energy-absorbing route with 51.65% accuracy and chose the most energy-consuming route with 86.65% accuracy.
Europe’s big battery fleet to surge to 95 GW by 2050, says research firm
According to Aurora Energy Research, Europe is on track to install at least 95 GW of grid-scale battery energy storage systems by 2050, up from 5 GW of installed capacity today, and representing more than €70 billion ($76.9 billion) of investment.
Ireland signs 109 MW of storage, 232 MW of pumped hydro in capacity auction
EirGrid assigned 7.2 GW of capacity in its latest auction, with 5.4 GW to come from gas power plants. The auction clearing price reached €83.050 ($90.554)/MW per year.
Ireland to slash VAT on residential PV to 0%
The Irish cabinet plans to present a new measure in its finance bill this week to eliminate value-added tax (VAT) on solar products.
Irish provider showcases air-to-air heat pump for commercial applications
Trane has released a rooftop air-to-air heat pump that can produce between 14.5 kW and 37.4 kW of heat and between 16.5 kW and 38.4 kW of cooling. The new device can purportedly be adapted to cold-climate applications by adding complementary heating sources such as electric heaters or hot water coils.
Irish developer secures financing to build 1.2 GW of solar
Power Capital Renewable Energy (PCRE) has secured €240 million ($259.5 million) to build 1.2 GW of solar projects across Ireland. Commercial operations are expected to start in 2025.
Ireland mulling mandatory renewables quota for heat sector by 2024
The Irish government wants to introduce an unspecified renewable energy quota for the heating sector by 2024. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) recently predicted that heat pumps could cover 20% of the country’s heating demand in 2030.
Ireland’s first PPA for large-scale solar
Allied Irish Banks will buy electricity from two solar parks that NTR is now developing. The power purchase agreement has a duration of 15 years.
Ireland introduces planning exemptions for rooftop solar
Ireland’s new solar measures, first announced in June, are expected to facilitate deployment in the residential and commercial PV segments.
Ireland launches rebate scheme for rooftop PV on non-residential buildings
The maximum rebate in Ireland’s new scheme is €2,400 ($2,345) for PV systems up to 6 kW in size. It will remain at this level for 2022 and 2023.
