News Update 13.03.2025

• The Irish Times highlights that future-proofing homes against power outages from extreme weather involves moving away from traditional heating methods and focusing on sustainable solutions like passive house models, solar panels, and backup batteries. Additionally, electric vehicles with vehicle-to-load compatibility and automated battery storage systems can provide backup power. These methods ensure thermal comfort and provide backup power during outages. https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2025/03/10/how-can-homes-be-futureproofed-to-deal-with-power-outages-caused-by-extreme-weather/

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• The Business Post reveals that the US Embassy raised concerns over Ireland's LNG and data centre policies before both were changed. Meetings between the US embassy and former minister Eamon Ryan focused on energy security and data centre policies. The energy regulator now allows data centres to connect to the grid without emissions restrictions, and the Irish government approved a state-led LNG facility. The US Embassy expressed interest in public-private partnerships for LNG imports. https://www.businesspost.ie/article/us-embassy-raised-concerns-over-irish-lng-and-data-centre-policies-before-both-were-changed/

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• As covered by RTé, a Dublin building site has reduced electricity use and reliance on fossil fuels by using a battery system to charge generators. Clancy Construction partnered with JTM Energy to use one generator to charge a large battery, which then powers the site. This setup has cut generator operation from ten hours to five hours daily, saving fuel and reducing emissions. The investment, supported by Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, is expected to pay off in about three and a half years. https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2025/0313/1501790-dublin-construction-site-battery-generators/

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• According to Ireland Live, Carlow Fire Station has launched Ireland's first digital alerting system to protect motorists during emergency incidents. This new technology, installed in eight emergency service vehicles, uses Safety Cloud digital alerting to warn road users of approaching fire appliances or accident scenes. The vehicle is equipped with solar panels and operates on HVO, a green fuel made from renewable waste food oils. This biodegradable fuel can reduce emissions by up to 90 percent. https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/carlow-live/1752043/carlow-fire-station-launch-first-of-its-kind-in-ireland-new-digital-alerting-system.html

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• According to Echo Live, Cork City Council's electric vehicle charging strategy aims to install 200 normal charging points, 39 fast-charging points, and 550–700 individual charging points across the city by 2030. A capital investment of approximately €17 million is needed to complete the programme. The council is actively engaging with Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and has received approval for a new post to oversee the implementation. https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41592073.html

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• As RTé reports, Swedish battery maker Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, marking one of the country's largest bankruptcies and ending Europe's hope of developing a rival to major Asian EV battery players. The company, which has over $8 billion in debt, sought US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last November but failed to secure necessary funds. Northvolt's operations in North America, Germany, and Poland are not included in the bankruptcy filing. https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0312/1501597-northvolt-files-for-bankruptcy/

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• Outlined by Reuters, European ministers and executives at a Houston conference stated that Europe is unlikely to return to Russia's energy sector even if sanctions are lifted, due to diversification with renewable energy and alternative gas suppliers. The EU has reduced its reliance on Russian gas from 45% to 13% since February 2022. The European Commission's Action Plan aims to accelerate renewable energy projects and increase state aid for clean industries. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ceraweek-europe-seeks-avoid-russian-energy-if-sanctions-eased-ministers-execs-2025-03-11/