Ireland opens €10M call for energy research and innovation projects

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has launched a €10 million funding call to support innovative energy RD&D projects, including ocean energy, offshore wind, and green hydrogen-related developments.

The new round of Irish government’s funding will support innovative energy RD&D (research, development, and demonstration) projects which will help accelerate Ireland’s transition to a clean and secure energy future.

The 2021 call is open for applications from public and private sector organisations, either applying individually or as part of a consortium, until 29 March 2021.

As before, this year’s call will include both an open strand and a thematic strand. SEAI noted that the 2021 also call involves co-funding partnerships with the Department of Transport and Geological Survey Ireland.

Aligning with the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan, prioritised thematic topics include areas relating to wind and offshore renewable energy, green hydrogen, building energy efficiency and retrofit, as well as other energy sectoral priorities.

William Walsh, CEO of SEAI said: “Energy research and innovation are crucial components to achieve a low carbon economy for Ireland. Nationally and internationally, the emphasis is firmly on a green economic recovery, where research and innovation is front and centre.

“SEAI is committed to paving the way for the breakthrough solutions to clean and secure energy, and this RD&D funding will be instrumental to Ireland achieving 2030 targets and beyond. There is huge talent in the Irish Energy Research ecosystem and this is a call to our national experts to find Irish solutions for the Irish context”.

More than 100 projects were successful under previous funding calls. As a result, many companies and academic institutions are leading innovative projects and collaborations in the areas of wind energy, bioenergy, energy systems integration, energy efficiency, energy markets, smart grids, transportation, energy policy, community engagement and geothermal energy.