Future of Infrastructure IE - Q4 2021 by Mediaplanet UK&IE

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Ensuring everyone, everywhere in Ireland has access to high-speed internet The National Broadband Plan is the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification.

I David McCourt Chairman, National Broadband Ireland

n November 2019, we proudly signed contracts with the Government to deliver the highly anticipated National Broadband Plan. Recognised as one of the biggest and most ambitious telecoms infrastructure projects of its kind globally, it has been heralded as “the biggest investment in rural Ireland, ever.” The importance of reliable connectivity Fast-forward to today and the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the criticality of reliable, high-speed connectivity, which has become essential for work, education and so many aspects of our lives. Such is the demand for bandwidth, that internet usage has grown by over 40% compared with pre-pandemic levels. Taking on the challenge of the National Broadband Plan, our team will be deploying fibre on approximately 1.5 million poles – many of them new, over 15,000 kilometres of underground ducts, will use up to 142,000 kilometres of new fibre cable and will run along almost 100,000 kilometres of the road network. Stretching across 96% of the country’s land mass, we’re laying enough fibre to go around the world nearly four times. This is about radically changing the broadband landscape across the country to ensure that every man, woman and child has access to high-speed broadband, no matter where they live or work. It’s quite an incredible feat and it’s going to be transformational for Ireland. In less than two years, our team has grown to have over 1,200 people

working on the rollout of the National Broadband Plan – either directly with NBI or through our network of specialist contractors. We have the best team in the world working to deliver this complex project, with experience of financing, building and operating some of the biggest infrastructure assets in the world.

We have to be in a position where people in a rural environment can start a business or grow a business from where they live. Supporting the Irish tech economy The National Broadband Plan is an example of incredibly ambitious Government policy and supports Ireland’s heritage in punching above its weight. Take for example, Ireland’s service economy; Ireland is a small country geographically, but it’s number seven globally in exporting services. The economy is moving globally to be tech enabled and the foundation for that is having connectivity to every person and making sure it’s viewed as an essential utility. Across almost all developed countries, what we see today is a digital divide whereby urban areas have an incredible advantage with access to connectivity and digital services, but many rural areas have been left underserved and that causes all sorts of problems. We have to be in a position where

people in a rural environment can start a business or grow a business from where they live. You can’t just assume that the only smart people in the world are those who live in an urban environment, this is something that needs to be rethought.

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Fast and effective construction The solution is well underway. Work on the National Broadband Plan continues at pace with our teams working in every county across Ireland. Over 277,000 premises have now been surveyed nationwide, which involves NBI crews physically walking the routes where fibre will be laid. Over 228,000 of these premises are already designed or progressing through detailed design work. Collectively, these are critical components which pave the way for fast and effective construction work. As of today, construction work is underway for over 125,000 premises across the country and over 30,500 premises are now able to order services via Retail Service Providers (RSPs), with minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second on offer. With nearly 50 RSPs ready to sell services on the NBI network, this is going to be game-changer, bringing significant benefits directly to consumers and businesses where competition between RSPs will ensure quality bundled packages offer choice around voice, broadband, TV and mobile at competitive prices. Visit nbi.ie for more information, including to find out if you’re in the Intervention Area and to receive Eircode specific updates on the rollout progress.

We’re rolling out the National Broadband Plan Check your Eircode at NBI.ie BUILDING A LIMITLESS IRELAND

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How to deliver Ireland’s circular economy

Sustainable energy to achieve Ireland’s net zero ambitions We all have a role to play in helping achieve to a net zero future. A new energy park could help improve energy supply across Ireland.

Plastic waste is having a significant impact on the environment. New technology and solutions are needed to help Ireland achieve a circular economy.

rish people love plastic! Figures from Eurostat published earlier this year show that Ireland generates the highest volume of plastic waste per person in the EU at 54 kilos per capita, substantially more than the EU average of 33 kilos per capita. Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency’s report on packaging waste in Ireland, published last January, paints an equally stark picture. Less than a third (28%) of Ireland’s plastic packaging waste was recycled in 2019, while the share of plastic packaging that Ireland incinerates has grown year-on-year and now stands at 69% . Plastic is a key environmental challenge and, if we are to achieve a truly circular economy, we need to look at how we can reduce our dependence on plastic while increasing our capacity to process and reuse the material. Developing innovative waste management solutions for a cleaner future is essential for the environment.

Figures from Eurostat published earlier this year show that Ireland generates the highest volume of plastic waste per person in the EU.

Advancing recycling to reduce landfill Bord na Móna Recycling is helping to deliver Ireland’s circular economy. Innovation is at the heart of the company as it seeks to reduce waste to landfill by operating some of Ireland’s most advanced recycling facilities. It is currently working with Sabina Technology to introduce a new technology to Ireland for the recycling of used plastic such as that used to wrap silage. At its plastics recycling plant in Littleton, Tipperary, more than 24,000 tonnes of plastic film is recycled and reused in the manufacture of packaging including bags, wrapping and boxes. Reducing Irelands carbon footprint Ciaran Brady, Head of Bord na Móna Recycling says: “We are focused on every stage of the waste management chain—from collection and treatment to disposal and recycling—to help Ireland lower its carbon footprint and support national waste policy. We recycle over 450,000 tonnes of waste from over 135,500 residential and commercial customers every year across Leinster and North Munster.” New infrastructure in Ireland’s waste recovery centres means householders can now put both hard and soft plastics in their recycling bin. This should help to increase our plastic recycling rates and help meet our circular economy requirements. A soft plastic is any type of plastic that you can scrunch in your hand, such as plastic wrap on products including: plastic labels, plastic packaging pillows, bubble wrap, bread wrappers and pasta bags, plastic carrier bags, crisp packets, sweet wrappers and packaging. A rigid plastic is any type of plastic that does not lose its shape.

Ciaran Brady Head of Resource Recovery, Bord na Móna

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Brendan Kelly Commercial Manager, Bord na Móna

s the recent COP26 summit has shown, achieving net zero carbon emissions poses a significant challenge but there is no doubt that, as former President Mary Robinson said, the world is now in ‘crisis mode’. The consequences for our planet of not reaching our climate targets are so serious it is difficult to comprehend. Failure will have a severe impact on every person, particularly those living in poorer countries. Reaching net zero carbon emissions is now a priority for many companies as well as countries. Companies recognise their Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibilities and in some cases are leading the climate action agenda. More and more companies are directing investment towards attaining net zero carbon emissions and becoming part of the transition towards a green economy. These companies are looking at all areas of their business, including how the sources of energy used to power their operations. It is now recognised that generating electricity from fossil fuels must be phased out if we are to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Generating energy from sustainable sources such as wind and solar is the way forward and luckily Ireland is well positioned with an abundance of these natural resources.

It is now recognised that generating electricity from fossil fuels must be phased out if we are to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. More sustainable energy sources Bord na Móna is set to develop Ireland’s first dedicated renewable energy business park on 3,000 hectares of its landbank in Offaly and Westmeath. The Park will attract industrial-scale high demand energy users seeking sustainable sources of energy. There will be 200MW+ of electricity supplied to businesses locating in the Park which will be generated from renewable sources such as wind, gas and solar. It will also contain energy storage facilities which may include battery and hydrogen. Impact on the community The Energy Park will bring plenty of benefits to the region. Substantial direct and indirect employment will be generated locally during construction and by companies establishing in the park. Providing a secure supply of renewable energy will also facilitate economic growth and development in the Midlands region. It will also form an important part of supporting Irish economic and population growth and helping to achieve Irish climate and biodiversity ambitions. This project will make a significant contribution to Ireland reaching its climate goals by 2030 and will also result in the improved integration of renewable energy assets with the National Grid.

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By 2026, Ireland will have almost 100% coverage, putting us ahead of, or on a par, with other European countries.

Image provided by open eir

Ireland set to become a European leader for fibre connectivity Ireland has an ambitious plan when it comes to high-speed fibre broadband, and it is being led by a company on a mission to connect the country.

Eavann Murphy Managing Director, open eir Wholesale

Una Stafford Managing Director, open eir Networks

WRITTEN BY Steve Hemsley

s Ireland emerges from the pandemic, it is clear that highspeed broadband has become essential for all aspects of life. Connecting towns, villages and cities with high-speed fibre broadband is critical to boost the economy; enabling inclusive prosperity and helping the country reach it’s sustainability goals. open eir is responsible for the largest fixed telecoms network in Ireland and has already installed more than 13,000 kilometres of fibre broadband across rural and urban areas, serving 750,000 premises with a full fibre connection. Meeting future challenges Pre-pandemic speeds up to 100Mbs were more than adequate for most homes. However as working from home has become the norm, the demands for higher bandwidth has escalated ahead of what was initially forecasted, which means a full fibre connection with Gigabit speeds is required to meet the needs of the average family home. Within five years, 84% of the country will be covered by open eir’s Gigabit Fibre network, with the remaining 16% to be delivered by the National Broadband Plan. Approximately 40 communication services providers including Vodafone, Sky, BT, Pure Telecom and eNet, already access the company’s network, products and technical expertise. They offer services to the consumer, providing choice and competition. “A few years ago, it was all about

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fibre to the cabinet but today it is fibre to the home (FTTH),” says Eavann Murphy, Managing Director of open eir Wholesale. “By 2026, Ireland will have almost 100% coverage, putting us ahead of, or on a par, with other European countries.” She adds: “We have one of the youngest and best educated populations in Europe along with international technology companies coming to Ireland. This is about investing in the future to ensure the country remains attractive and successful.” Initially the build was focused on rural premises, passing more than 340,000 homes and businesses; today open eir is focused on urban locations. High-speed fibre broadband is a future-proofed technology that can help Ireland to thrive; today customers can access speeds of up to one Gigabit, with two Gigabits being made available in high density locations. Transforming connectivity in urban locations brings challenges, different types of buildings from single dwellings to apartment blocks all with varying fibre requirements. Nevertheless, open eir has now reached more than 750,000 properties, with an ultimate target of passing 1.9 million Impact of COVID-19 The ambition for a connected Ireland has become more pressing as the population adapts to living and working differently. Throughout the first year of the pandemic, the company continued to expand their fibre network, making Gigabit fibre available to an additional 200,000

homes and businesses. Managing Director of open eir Networks, Una Stafford, says telecoms workers have been on the frontline as people remained at home during lockdowns and switched to working from home. “Almost overnight we had to change the way we worked, implementing strict health and safety guidelines, but we never missed a single day in the field. We have literally never stopped,” she says. “People won’t want to return to five days in the office or the long commute, connectivity enables people to live and work wherever they choose,” she says “connectivity is so important for Irish society in the long term.” Finding the skills To build such an extensive FTTH network takes time, money and skills. open eir knows it must continue to recruit and train the next generation of workers to ensure it meets its growth targets and delivers on its ambitions for Ireland. “There are skill shortages across all sectors now,” says Stafford, “we need to ensure we can attract ambitious recruits. As an industry we need to take responsibility for training through apprenticeship programmes and develop roles to ensure career opportunities. It’s a competitive market out there and we are working to attract the best.” Ireland can be a European leader when it comes to high-speed fibre broadband connectivity and, if it gets it right, the social and economic outlook is extremely positive.

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Rapidly improving Irish infrastructure to support residential development When we discuss the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) and Housing for All, there is a real sense in the construction and development sector that we need to implement these plans urgently.

Targeted investment and talent development are vital for infrastructure delivery High-quality infrastructure is an important element of a modern society and economy. It strengthens economic growth through job creation and enhances efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

ur institution has long campaigned for more strategic and targeted investment in infrastructure and technology. We are supportive of the approach of linking the National Development Plan (NDP) to the National Planning Framework objectives, as part of Project Ireland 2040, with key actions to drive sustainable regional development, such as the National Broadband Plan. The impact of targeted investment Correctly targeted investment underpins social cohesion by providing vital facilities for citizens. We are pleased to see the Government reaffirm their commitment to capital investment with a total public investment of €165 billion over the period 20212030, as detailed in the NDP. There is a priority focus on solutions to strengthen our housing, climate ambitions, broadband, transport, healthcare, jobs and economic renewal for the decade ahead. Engineers and their skill sets are integral to the delivery of the ambition of the NDP. For example, sustainable housing, smart settlements, innovative building and construction methods will enable the transition to a low carbon and resilient society that will support the sustainable management of water and other resources. In addition to physical infrastructure, a significant element of the investment set out in the NDP will support enterprise development, research, innovation and science. As an advocate for STEM education in schools, we welcome the

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development of ambitious strategies in relation to digitalisation, including The Digital Strategy for Schools which seeks to further embed digital technology teaching, learning and assessment in primary and postprimary schools. The importance of talent development Education and skills are necessary to deliver on government policies and to achieve a green and digital future. Engineers are in high demand, and we must encourage more young people to enter and remain in the engineering and construction sectors. We must also innovate to increase the capacity of our sector and collaborate to promote the rewarding careers engineering has to offer. There are pressing shortages of engineers in many disciplines to fill skills gaps emerging for the sustainable recovery. We encourage young people considering CAO applications for 2022 to consider a career in engineering. It is a rewarding sector that provides limitless opportunities. Students who accept an offer for an engineering course at third-level will also be part of a profession that will continue to play a pivotal role in our green and digital future. Professional engineering apprenticeships are also an important component of the solution.

Professor Orla Feely President, Engineers Ireland

Conor O’Connell Director, Southern Region, Construction Industry Federation

he sense of urgency and the delivery targets in Housing for All and the NDP need to be considered as targets for all sectors involved in the delivery of Irelands infrastructure. That of course includes the construction industry, but also the planning system, the courts, Irish Water, County Councils, semi-state agencies and Government departments. Change in regulatory framework Following the last recession, Ireland implemented sweeping changes in our regulatory environment to ensure mistakes of the past were not repeated. As well as all these regulatory changes, there has been a change in mindset amongst many decision makers that has resulted in lengthier processes. Sometimes there is an excessive search for perfection in all aspects of our built environment. There will never be the perfect time to go to tender, there will never be the perfect Development Plan, there will never be the perfect housing policy.

The allocation of €1.6 billion to Irish Water in 2022 should result in a significant increase in essential water infrastructure to facilitate development on zoned lands. Increasing development costs Unfortunately, too many of these changes in the regulatory environment have resulted in significant costs being placed on those purchasing services in the built environment. It is one of the most significant reasons that we cannot build enough units as the development costs associated with housing provision are burdened on those trying to enter the market for the first time. The constraints on developing residential units in Ireland is without doubt the most extensive in Europe. Infrastructure needed for residential development The National Development Plan can also play a significant role by putting in place the necessary infrastructure to facilitate residential development. One of the most significant infrastructural deficits that is impeding greater output by the residential sector is the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure. The allocation of €1.6 billion to Irish Water in 2022 should result in a significant increase in essential water infrastructure to facilitate development on zoned lands. Put simply without the pipes in the ground development cannot take place. The construction sector is willing to play its part by being more productive in the way we service the needs of the country by adopting new technologies, using more sustainable methods of construction and recruiting more workers. But we need a clear path in front of use where implementation and targets are adopted and embraced by all.

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One city at a time: Finding solutions to future proof our cities Im ag ep ro vid

As our cities grow and deal with the impacts of the climate crisis, it is clear that we need to be smarter and ensure that we build climate resilience into our cities and towns.

ed by W av in

D John McPeake B.Eng MIEI Technical Sales Manager, Wavin Ireland

uring the past year, cities throughout Ireland, including Dublin, Cork and Galway have experienced torrential rainfall resulting in dramatic flash flooding. We are not alone; many other European cities across France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Austria experienced catastrophic flooding in recent times. Building climate resilient cities Sustainability pioneers, like Sacha Stolp, Director of Innovation for the Future-Proof Assets Program in Amsterdam, are leading the crusade for more climate-resilient cities. One neighbourhood at a time. City by city. Stolp says: “We need to future-proof our assets and create new standards.” If we do, she suggests, we can have a completely new world where we are climate-adaptive, circular, carbon neutral, futureproof, smart. Stolp’s mission is to create a climateresilient and future-proof Amsterdam by 2050. She wants to create new standards and a new normal – in collaboration with universities, knowledge institutions and the business community. Innovative solutions and commitments needed Wavin believes this could equally apply to Ireland. With innovative solutions and a commitment to building healthy, sustainable environments, it is poised and ready to collaborate in taking on the challenge. With regard to flooding and rainwater management, lasting solutions won’t solely be about efficient stormwater disposal – storing and reusing water for dry periods and meeting the increasing water demand caused by urbanisation will be key for greener cities to thrive. Urbanisation poses challenges in terms of sustainable construction, safe and efficient water supply, sanitation and the disposal of rainwater and wastewater. The climate crisis means that cities also have to deal with increasingly long periods of drought or flooding. Far-reaching measures are needed to address these problems. Small actions can make a big impact. For example:

AquaCell Stormwater Solutions ®

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• Infiltration/ attenuation – Using the tools of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) such as permeable surfaces and soakaways to prevent surface runoff and facilitate ground absorption. Attenuation tanks prevent flooding whereby most of the water is released in a controlled flow into the storm drain or sewer system after heavy rain events. By using available technology, we could reuse the water to maintain greenery and infiltrate it back to our groundwater to avoid depletion. • Avoiding sewer overflows in heavy rainfall - Digital tools like sensors that enable predictive maintenance and improved product design can protect the city’s sewer systems from failing due to clogging. Sensors can monitor and ensure cleaning takes place only when needed – saving the city costs and resources. While road gullies with features like filter options protect the sewers from clogging due to debris. • Protecting trees - Now more than ever our cities need trees to create shade, improve local air quality and provide us with comfort. With increased heavy traffic, and more paved areas, our trees face difficult conditions. Simple solutions like a TreeTank system, which allows trees to live in urban settings without disrupting or damaging infrastructure, mean they can also play a key role in urban stormwater management, reducing the volume of rainwater entering the old drainage networks of many towns and cities in Ireland. Wavin is a global organisation with an impressive history in the field of water management. The company was founded in 1955 to modernise the water network in the Netherlands. It was established in Ireland in 1958 and was instrumental in delivering fresh water to Irish homes. In the following decades it grew to become the European and Latin American market leader. Now, we are committed to the further development of products that can keep cities liveable and loveable in the future by taking action on four purpose drivers: safe and efficient water supply, better sanitation and hygiene, climate resilient cities and better building performance.

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Made from 100% recycled material, AquaCell units are the tried, tested and versatile answer to the effective management of surface water. email: projects.ie@wavin.com www.wavin.ie

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Enabling a solar future in Ireland The Irish solar industry has made big promises. However, to date, progress has been limited relative to ambition. Is 2022 the year the industry begins to deliver?

Conall Bolger Chief Executive Officer, Irish Solar Energy Association

ext year is set to be a pivotal for the Irish solar industry. The Irish network will connect the first large-scale utility solar projects, with 500MW expected to be in construction by the end of 2022. Customer scale solar should receive a boost from a new export tariff and an easing of planning restrictions. This is good news as it means Ireland can decarbonise its power system more quickly; save Irish customers real money; and enable citizen participation in the energy transition.

Installation of solar on premises enables electricity self-sufficiency, direct emission reductions and electricity bill savings, easing dependence on the effects of international fossil prices on local retail markets. Solar reduces carbon faster Solar generates electricity during daylight hours in highdemand periods. The data shows that solar will tend to displace higher emitting fossil fuel plants that usually run during these periods. This effect means that, for the same volume of renewable electricity, there is a greater emissions gain in an electricity mix with higher volumes

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of solar on the Irish system. Research by AFRY found that meeting 2030 renewables targets with a higher proportion of solar in the mix would reduce emissions by a further 7%, compared to a portfolio with less solar. Solar saves customers money The same AFRY research found that a higher solar portfolio could save customers €106 million per year by the mid-2030s. More profoundly, there has not yet been an Irish portfolio modelled in which solar costs money; Ireland could install 6GW by 2030 and it would still benefit society. The least-cost renewables portfolio is one with substantially higher volumes of solar than today. These savings come from reductions in the cost of supporting renewables and emissions costs, both of which impact directly on customer bills. Solar enables citizen participation Installation of solar on premises enables electricity selfsufficiency, direct emission reductions and electricity bill savings, easing dependence on the effects of international fossil prices on local retail markets. Beyond those direct benefits, customer scale solar enables citizens to engage directly with the energy transition. It provides people with an entry point to sustainability and gets them started on their journey. If citizens cannot engage, they will not participate and their active involvement is key to activating deep emissions reductions.

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Ireland can lead the way towards a future of renewable energy

Past and Future Energy: Statkraft’s Kelwin-2 battery project, with Moneypoint Power Station in the background.

Renewable electricity will contribute most of our electricity needs by 2030 and we must begin now to ready ourselves to accommodate that transition.

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Achieving our targets Ireland can achieve its clean energy targets. Countries across Europe are going in the same direction, moving rapidly towards a decarbonised future. We are in the middle of that transition, but we have the bonus of a competitive advantage – our abundant natural resources. As an organisation, we are currently building two wind and two solar projects in Ireland totalling over 330MW - the largest contribution of projects in construction of any developer to those targets. The renewable energy targets that the Government has set are possible from both a technical and economical point of view. These are the vital starting points. However, the key component to a clean energy future is upgrading our electricity grid system to enable us to deliver it. This will require work in terms of infrastructural upgrades and public acceptance will be crucial.

Grid infrastructure When looking to the future of renewable energy, high-quality, effective grid infrastructure is what is needed to deliver it. Reinforcement of grid infrastructure is central to facilitating the connection of renewable energy projects to enable us to meet Ireland’s targets, including the interim renewable and carbon emission targets. Developing the grid means planning and developing new lines and substations so permission will be needed. Public support is essential and local developments must be considered in the overall context of a completely decarbonised electricity system. The development of this infrastructure must be done in a strategic way, in partnership with renewable energy developers, as there is real potential for developers to assist in the delivery of the network solutions required.

Image provided by Statkraft

We are in the middle of a complete transformation of our electricity system, moving from a reliance on fossil fuels to a country run on clean energy.

hen I started working in renewables, I could not have imagined the journey ahead. Ireland is now at a point where almost half of our electricity comes from renewable sources. It is set to increase to 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Statkraft is playing an important part in this transition, developing renewable technologies like onshore and offshore wind, solar, battery storage and grid services. This is a seismic moment in our country’s clean energy transition. Our infrastructure needs to keep pace with that.

Kevin O’Donovan Managing Director, Statkraft Ireland

Grid system services To make the most efficient use of the renewable energy projects we build, and to make sure the power system works reliably at high levels of renewable penetration, we need smart grid system services. Up until recently, fossil fuels provided all the grid system services required to keep our electricity system stable. As we transition to a system that is reliant on renewable energy, it is necessary to introduce new zero carbon technologies, such as battery storage and synchronous compensators, to step in and provide these services that were traditionally provided by power plants. Statkraft is now operating the two first battery projects in Ireland. As we move towards 2050, we will need more and more of these technologies to stabilise the system and to smooth out supply-demand spikes on our electricity system. By doing this, we are protecting ourselves from huge price variations that largely come from gas. By introducing these alternatives into our grid system, we are making sure that we accommodate renewable energy in an efficient and stable way. The ultimate prize Improving the renewable energy infrastructure in Ireland is a complex and challenging task. Renewable electricity will contribute most of our electricity needs by 2030 and we must begin now to ready ourselves to accommodate that transition. Two of the keys areas to focus on in the short term are the capacity of the grid infrastructure and the delivery of zero-carbon grid system services. We have the investment and we have the technology. Now it is about delivery and the prize is big complete energy independence and a future of clean, renewable energy.

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More and more companies are directing investment towards attaining net zero carbon emissions and becoming part of the transition towards a green economy.

Infrastructure can help us make the transition to green mobility

~Brendan Kelly, Commercial Manager, Bord na Móna

Urban space is at a premium as urban populations continue to grow. More and more services need to be rolled out to match supply with demand.

mong the most crucial infrastructure needed is transportation services, but as demand grows, so does the need to ensure these services are green and sustainable. With the electrification of mobility comes the need to reassess how we utilise existing infrastructure in the form of street furniture, kerbsides and roads to make better use of those spaces, deliver on charging infrastructure and promote more active means of travel. Reclamation of the urban kerbside The urban kerbside is ripe for disruption and, more importantly, reclamation. Historically, these spaces have been primarily used only for car parking, meaning there are hundreds of thousands of square feet of kerbside space that cities could reclaim, with the application of the right policy and programmes. Kerbsides are set to change from car parking to car charging infrastructure with the implementation of technologies that can transform idle kerbsides into useful space. Among these is electric vehicle charging technology, which can be standalone chargers or integrated into smart poles to make more efficient use of space and existing infrastructure. Technology vendors, such as Nokia, have worked on projects across Europe to take smart poles to a new level, integrating vehicle chargers into them. This latter approach not only boosts a city’s EV infrastructure credentials, but also brings other smart applications, such as smart lighting and air quality monitoring.

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Active and share mobility options needed However, private mobility is only half the battle in terms of the transition to greener mobility; active and shared mobility options are going to be critical in reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Public transport has perhaps the biggest role to play here, with fleets being gradually transitioned to electric and hydrogen power. However, the infrastructure must match the vehicles and can come at great expense, making collaboration an important part of the process. A good example of this is the Bus Eireann’s hydrogen bus rollout in July 2021, in which it agreed to use hydrogen from BOC Gases Ireland, with refuelling at the supplier’s Bluebell facility. Investment in the infrastructure that is required to make the transition to green mobility a success has to be made now; without it, the climate action plans that cities are now announcing will have significantly less chance of succeeding – especially in the short timeframes they have to complete them.

Luke Antoniou Senior Editor, SmartCitiesWorld

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Transforming buses for Ireland’s benefit Balancing the need to serve a growing population while cutting public transport emissions is a challenge that must be met.

ransport has been the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland. They have doubled in 30 years and make up almost one fifth of total emissions. Cutting this by half to meet the Climate Action Plan targets while serving a growing population and facilitating economic growth requires a profound transformation in our transport system.

Stephen Kent Chief Executive Officer, Bus Éireann

Range of technological solutions Strategies that have worked in other countries may not do so here. Ireland’s population structure is different; our cities and towns are not alike and our geography is highly varied for such a small country. As the national bus company, our services reflect that. Funded by the National Transport Authority, we are testing a range of solutions, knowing that no new diesel bus will ever again be added to our urban fleet. This year, Galway became the first city here to be served by an all-hybrid fleet. This is delivering almost a 30% reduction in emissions. Next year, Athlone will be our first all-electric town. Hydrogen powered For longer, cross-country routes, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles may be the answer. We have three double-deckers in operation – the only hydrogen-

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fuelled vehicles in use in Ireland. They refuel within 10 minutes, about the same time as it takes to fill a tank on a diesel bus. They have a range of up to 400 kilometres. Their only emission is water. Investment in hydrogen production and, crucially, fuelling infrastructure could render this a transformative technology. Congestion challenge Electric vehicles mean cleaner air in towns and cities and a quieter, smoother journey for passengers, helping to encourage people out of cars and on to public transport. But the greatest impediment to getting people out of their cars is other people’s cars. Congestion challenges service reliability and is projected to cost €2 billion a year in Dublin alone by 2033. In Cork, part of the city that should take three minutes to travel often takes half an hour. There are only 30 kilometres of bus lanes outside of the greater Dublin area. The NTA’s roll out of BusConnects to all cities will allow us to offer certainty of journey time, creating the opportunity for an unprecedented shift in how we travel. Investment in making services more frequent sees passenger numbers grow by at least 25% in 12 months. None of this is simple. It is critically important and urgent. But the solutions are here and with cooperation and coordination, bus transport will deliver.

Find out more at buseireann.ie

The infrastructure must match the vehicles and can come at great expense, making collaboration an important part of the process. ~Luke Antoniou, Senior Editor, SmartCitiesWorld

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Can green hydrogen help Ireland move closer to net zero emissions? David Macartney, Corporate Development Manager at Energia Group answers common questions on the benefits of hydrogen in helping Ireland become a greener economy.

AUTHORED BY David Macartney Corporate Development Manager, Energia Group

Q: What is green hydrogen?

Hydrogen is a versatile, clean and safe energy carrier that can be used as fuel for power or in the industry as feedstock. Hydrogen produces zero emissions at the point of use. It can be stored and transported at high energy density in liquid or gaseous form and can be combusted or used in fuel cells to generate heat and electricity. Hydrogen is often described by various colours – grey, blue and green for example – with the colour referring to the method of production. Increasingly attention is being focussed on hydrogen produced from renewable electricity (green hydrogen) or from carbonabated fossil fuels (blue hydrogen) and away from grey hydrogen (steam reforming) which is currently the most prevalent.

Q: How can hydrogen support decarbonisation efforts?

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Green hydrogen will play an important role in the decarbonisation of the economy. Our future energy needs will be met increasingly by renewable electricity; however, some energy end uses are hard to electrify via the grid or with batteries, especially in transport but also in other sectors. In many sectors, direct electrification is, and will remain, technologically challenging or uneconomical, even at very high CO2 prices. Hydrogen represents an optimal overall solution for long-term,

carbon-free seasonal storage. While batteries, super-capacitors and compressed air can also support balancing, they lack either the power capacity or the storage timespan needed to address seasonal imbalances. As Ireland transitions towards net zero emissions, these secondary fuel requirements will need to be reviewed and hydrogen could play a key role. With increasing levels of constraint of renewable electricity generation – i.e. available renewable generation that the grid is unable to utilise – this energy could be used to produce renewable hydrogen either for injection into the gas grid or for transport to other end users.

Q: How can Ireland lead the way in the shift to green hydrogen?

The long-term benefits of hydrogen are compelling and it provides a promising pathway for the energy transition. The global interest in hydrogen and the significant financial commitments made by major economies will drive improvements in cost and performance. Ireland will want to position itself as a potential exporter of hydrogen as well as ensuring that connectivity with the rest of the world, through maritime ports and airports, is ensured by progressing hydrogen fuelling capability at these gateways.

Q: What has your organisation done to support transport on the island of Ireland? Energia Group has led the introduction of hydrogen buses on the Island of Ireland. Over the last eight years we have:

• Secured EU funding for a 1MW electrolyser (the equipment which splits water into its constituent elements: oxygen and hydrogen) which is in construction at Energia’s Long Mountain wind farm in Co Antrim. • Secured funding from the UK Department of Transport to underpin Translink’s purchase of three hydrogen double decker buses, which are now in operation. To power the buses, Energia has installed the island’s first hydrogen fuelling station in Belfast.

Q: What other renewable projects are you involved in?

We have recently won circa £400,000 funding from the Department of Transport to undertake a feasibility study to enable zero emission maritime solutions at ports and harbours in Northern Ireland. Energia is leading the consortium which includes Belfast Harbour, NIE Networks, Mott MacDonald, University of Ulster, Queens University Belfast and Artemis. The work with Artemis is very exciting as they are developing a zero-emission hydrofoil ferry which will be built in Belfast and we are investigating the use of hydrogen on this ferry. We were delighted to be able to highlight Energia’s work with the NI Green Seas and Belfast Maritime Consortium, together with the Department of Transport and Translink, at COP26 in Glasgow which has thrown a spotlight on the need to decarbonise transport and the importance of renewable hydrogen. Find out more at energiagroup.com/

Building Ireland’s Renewable Energy Future

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