IERC projects fire up

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, have announced the approval of the first two projects of the government-supported International Energy Research Centre (IERC). The contracts, valued at a total of €1 million, have been agreed between the IERC and four higher education institutions.

The research will focus on energy efficiency and energy storage in commercial buildings, particularly using wireless networks to control and manage heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and redesigning and developing storage heating solutions

Minister Rabbitte said: "Our strategy is to position Ireland as a leading edge location for developing integrated energy solutions where knowledge-intensive international and Irish companies along with leading researchers partner will develop innovative energy solutions for global markets."

Minister Bruton said: "A key part of this Government’s plan to get out of this crisis and get jobs and growth back into the economy is to focus on sectors where as a country we have distinct advantages. The green economy clearly is one of these sectors, as not only do we have unrivalled natural resources in the area, but we have also built up a base of excellent research strength over the past decade.

"The challenge for Ireland now is to ensure that the research is properly targeted at commercialisation and turning the research ideas into businesses and jobs… In the coming weeks the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs will target the green economy and will build on this good news with further changes to the Irish research sector to create more good ideas and ultimately good jobs."

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