Projects split €2.6m as industry eyes reinvention to meet carbon reduction targets
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Pictured: Stuart Brennan, Liam Nolan, John Memery, Bobby Gleeson, Gas Networks Ireland (GNI); Dr Ruth Freeman, Research Ireland; James Burchill, Paul Cleary, GNI
Five research teams focused on renewable gas production, energy system integration and intelligent gas network technologies have split €2.6 million under the co-funded Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge.
The successful teams are working to develop solutions which will improve the efficiency, efficacy and commercial viability of biomethane and biohydrogen production, accelerate the integration of renewable gases into the Irish energy system and develop AI-based solutions for intelligent gas network performance diagnostics.
Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO, Research Ireland, said: “The research these teams are undertaking will support Ireland on the path to decarbonisation. Cross-sector collaboration is vital for Ireland to meet its national commitments to be climate-neutral by 2050.
“The Challenge model of embedding end users into the team and engaging with key stakeholders from the project outset will help ensure that real and tangible impacts are delivered. I look forward to seeing the teams progress their solutions over the coming months.”
Bobby Gleeson, chief operations officer at Gas Networks Ireland, said: “These projects represent innovation in action – turning cutting-edge research into solutions that can strengthen Ireland’s energy system, improve resilience and support our journey to net zero.
“Supporting key research through our Gas Innovation Fund and working directly with these teams allows us to accelerate the development of technologies that will help decarbonise Ireland’s gas network while enabling the integration of renewable gases at scale.”
Teams being awarded funding are:
- BIOGRID: Biogas Methanation to Grid-quality Biomethane using Intensified Reactors. Lead: Prof Vivek Ranade, University of Limerick; co-lead, Dr Recep Dereli, UCD.
- DIGIGAS – AGeoAI-Powered Digital Twin of Ireland’s Renewable Gas Infrastructure for Dynamic Decarbonisation Planning. Lead: Dr Abdalkarim Gharbia, Atlantic Technological University; co-lead: Dr Nasim Eslamirad, UCD.
- ALgas:Innovative macroalgal biorefining and social licensing for new biomethane production for Ireland. Lead: Dr Gavin Collins, University of Galway; co-lead: Dr Edel Doherty, University of Galway.
- O.P.P.O.R.T.U.N.I.T.Y. – Optimised Processes for ProductionOfRenewable Technologies Using NanomaterialsInTargeted Yield. Lead: Dr Conor Boland, DCU; co-lead: Dr James Carton, DCU.
- ReGasIn- Stakeholder co-created Scenario modelling of renewable gases for future integrated energy systems in Ireland. Lead: Dr Subhash Kumar, Tyndall National Institute; co-lead: Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan, UCC.
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