Maynooth University energy project receives €2m from National Challenge Fund

Home energy management system gets power up with latest award

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Pictured: Dr Amy Fahy, Peter Hamilton, and Prof Fabiano Pallonetto, RENEW

Maynooth University (MU) has welcomed the award of €2 million from the National Challenge Fund (NCF) for its energy innovation project, RENEW.

The project, led by Prof Fabiano Pallonetto, Director of the IRESI Research Group in MU’s School of Business, IRESI deputy director Dr Amy Fahy and societal impact champion Peter Hamilton of Maynooth Sustainable Energy Community, won the NCF’s Energy Innovation Challenge.

RENEW (Renewable Energy through Networking, Education, and building a strong community Will for sustainability), is a low-cost, AI- and Internet of Things-enabled home energy management system (HEMS). It is designed to reduce electricity costs for consumers and support Ireland’s transition to a flexible, low-carbon energy system.

By promoting inclusive, user-friendly solutions that enable all households to participate in demand flexibility, reduce arrears, and lower bills, the team aims to ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to a low-carbon future.

Prof Fabiano Pallonetto, RENEW team lead, said: “We are honoured to receive Prize Phase funding under the National Challenge Fund. This support enables RENEW to scale its impact nationwide – accelerating the integration of renewable energy into Ireland’s power system and reducing energy costs for households and businesses.

“The funding also strengthens our collaboration with industry, government, and civil society, including key partnerships with Irish county councils and international innovation networks focused on energy transition.”

Funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Fund calls on researchers to identify problems related to Ireland’s green transition and digital transformation and work directly with those most affected to solve them.

In 2023, RENEW received €250,000 from the National Challenge Fund to advance the project followed by further NCF funding of €492,000 in December last year.

TechCentral Reporters

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