The government has been urged to "move rapidly" to make sure the 300,000 new homes planned for Ireland by...https://www.independent.ie/incoming/government-urged-to-move-rapidly-to-increase-supports-for-district-heating-in-budget/a/153020954.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share.

In a recent article featured on RTE, by Tania Reut.

District heating is the "missing piece of the puzzle" when it comes to energy in Ireland, the CEO of the Irish District Energy Association has said.

Pauline O'Reilly made her comments on RTÉ's Morning Ireland today after the Cabinet advanced the new Heat Bill, paving the way for it to be introduced in the Oireachtas this year.

The bill is designed to enable the rollout of district heating.

Minister for Climate and Energy Darragh O'Brien said research shows that approximately 80% of heat demand in Dublin could be met by district heating by 2050.

District heating uses water-pipe networks to deliver heated water from centralised heat sources to residents and businesses, as opposed to individual boilers or heat pumps.

"It's something that we're not familiar with in Ireland, but actually it is rolled out across Europe, particularly in Scandinavia," the IrDEA and the former Green Party senator said, adding that 90% of Ireland's heating comes from fossil fuels.

"It is more efficient, it is also cleaner because it can come from renewable sources or waste sources".

Using waste water from data centres is one of the proposals.

Ms O'Reilly noted that between 50% and 80% of the electricity in Dublin is being used for data centres.

"What we can do with data centres is use the water that's coming off those data centres to heat buildings and homes," she explained.

She argued there is enough waste hear in Ireland to heat every building in the country.

"At the moment it's just going into the rivers, it's just going into the air. It's not toxic but it's just completely wasteful."

One of Ireland's first district heating schemes was launched in Tallaght in 2023, which was developed by South Dublin County Council and Codema (Dublin's Energy Agency).

It takes waste heat from an Amazon data centre and uses it to heat South Dublin County Council offices and the local library.

Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland & UK, said waste-heat recovery should be incorporated into the planning of every new data centre, allowing this valuable energy to support surrounding communities rather than being wasted.

"District heating has the potential to reduce fossil-fuel dependence, improve energy efficiency and create resilient, low-carbon energy infrastructure for communities across Ireland," Mr Power added.

Asked whether consumers will be willing to give up their control over how their homes are heated, Ms O'Reilly said the technology behind district heating advanced significantly, giving residents "real flexibility".

"The same way as you have complete control about turning on or off your lights - you're not generating your own electricity, you still have complete control with the electricity coming in."

It will work in the exact same way with district heating, she says.

"You have the same radiators, you have the same pipes, nothing changes except that the hot water is coming from outside your house," she stated.

Former Senator and Chair of the Green Party, Pauline O'Reilly has been appointed as CEO of the Irish District Energy Association.

"A massive shift to district heating is on the cards for Ireland, and it is the most economically and environmentally important step that we can take as a country", said O'Reilly following her appointment today.

Pauline O'Reilly says she is honoured to take on the role at this important juncture. "It will come as no surprise to anyone that heat uses most of our energy in Ireland. In fact, 40% of all energy consumption in Ireland goes on heating, and so this is a key area that Ireland will need to decarbonise. District heating has been rolled out across Europe but is largely untapped here and this is why I want to throw myself into developing the industry. Two important pieces of work are underway by government this year and getting these right would pave the way for a revolution in heating in Ireland. Many projects are ready to go, but a grant scheme and finalising the regulations are the building blocks for the industry" she said. 

Dr. David Connolly, Chairperson of IrDEA, welcomed the appointment on behalf of all the members: “We are delighted to have a leader of Pauline’s credentials as the new CEO of the Irish District Energy Association. Her vast experience in policymaking and deep understanding of the energy sector will be vital to the sector at this time, especially as new funding schemes and proposed legislation look set to finally position district heating as a critical pillar of Ireland’s energy transition.”

Pauline concluded her comments by adding that "For too long in Ireland we have ignored the important opportunity to decarbonise heat. However the SEAI recently found that while only 1% of our heat comes from district heating, over 54% of buildings are suitable to use it. A centralised system is more environmentally sustainable and provides security of supply.

"The first significant project which has been rolled out is the district heating system in Tallaght, which will also support local home heating. Let's ramp this up and invest in heat systems right across the country".

 

READ PAULINE'S BIO:

Most recently Pauline has served as a Senator, and member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action, and as Chairperson of the Green Party. She has worked collaboratively as Leader of the Greens in the Seanad with former government colleagues and advisors to pass legislation and effect policy change. She has also been Chair and Vice Chair of other Oireachtas Committees over the last five years. Since taking up this role as CEO of IrDEA Pauline has stepped away from leadership within a political party. Prior to her time in the Oireachtas she was a City Councillor on Galway City Council and a solicitor, as well as a board member and Chair of numerous, diverse boards.

 

The Paris 2024 Olympics were a landmark in sustainable event planning. With a commitment to eco-friendly initiatives, the Paris Games used innovative solutions across multiple venues to minimize environmental impact. Among the standout projects was an ingenious approach to heating the Olympic swimming pools: they were warmed by waste heat from a nearby data center. This unique collaboration exemplified how technology and sustainability can combine to create a positive impact on both the environment and major events.

The Idea Behind Heating Olympic Pools with Data Center Waste Heat

Data centers are the backbone of our digital world, running constantly to support data storage, processing, and networking for countless businesses, governments, and individuals. But all that power generates substantial heat. Traditionally, cooling data centers to prevent overheating has accounted for a major portion of their energy use. For the Paris Olympics, the event organizers turned this challenge into an opportunity by repurposing the data center's waste heat to warm the Olympic swimming pools.

Located close to the aquatic venue, the data center redirected its excess heat to maintain the pools at the perfect temperature for athletes, significantly reducing the need for conventional heating. This not only cut down on energy consumption but also lowered carbon emissions, making it a win-win for sustainability.

How It Worked: The Process of Heat Recovery

The process was both simple and effective. The data center, which would typically release its excess heat into the atmosphere, was equipped with a specialized heat recovery system. Here’s how it worked:

1. Heat Generation: As servers and IT equipment inside the data center operated, they generated a significant amount of heat.

2. Heat Capture: Instead of venting this warm air, heat exchangers were used to capture it.

3. Heat Transfer: The captured heat was then channeled through a system of pipes, delivering it directly to the nearby swimming pools.

4. Temperature Regulation: This system allowed the pool water to stay at an ideal swimming temperature without relying on traditional gas or electric heating.

Through this approach, the Paris Olympics’ swimming pools benefited from a green energy source, while the data center reduced its own cooling costs and energy demands.

Benefits Beyond the Games

The data center pool-heating initiative wasn’t just designed for the Olympics—it was part of Paris’s larger ambition to create a lasting legacy of sustainability. The infrastructure remained in place for future uses, setting an example for other cities looking to implement similar projects.

Environmental Impact: This project showcased how energy-intensive industries, like data centers, could reduce their environmental footprint through creative solutions. By using waste heat instead of non-renewable energy sources, Paris reduced overall emissions and underscored its commitment to sustainable energy use.

Cost Efficiency: Both the Olympic Committee and the data center operator saved on operational costs through this arrangement, proving that eco-friendly initiatives can also be economically beneficial.

Inspiring Future Applications: The success of this initiative could encourage other cities and event organizers to consider similar projects. Facilities like hospitals, schools, and residential complexes are ideal candidates for heat-sharing systems with nearby data centers or industrial sites.

A Blueprint for Greener, Smarter Cities

By heating the Olympic pools with waste heat from a data center, Paris demonstrated that large-scale events don’t have to come at a high environmental cost. With global attention on the Olympics, this project has likely inspired further interest and development in waste heat recovery. Whether for local facilities or international events, leveraging waste heat proved to be an effective way to meet the energy needs of communities while minimizing their environmental impact.

Ireland currently hosts 82 data centers, with many more in the pipeline for planning and construction. These facilities, which support Ireland's growing tech industry, produce significant waste heat as they operate around the clock. This heat, if captured and redirected, could serve as an efficient energy source for district heating systems—large-scale networks that distribute heat to nearby homes, businesses, and public buildings. Already we can see the benefits of the Tallaght District heating Scheme (TDHS), which uses waste heat from the nearby Amazon date center, in saving about 1'500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. By leveraging data centres' waste heat, Ireland could reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a more sustainable heating solution for urban and suburban areas. This approach not only aligns with Ireland's climate goals but also offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to meet local heating needs.

Watch the video here: https://www.equinix.com/resources/videos/sustainability-pa10-theb1m

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3dd66-heat-networks-and-miscellaneous-provisions-bill-2024/

The recent release of the General Scheme of the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 marks a pivotal moment for Ireland’s energy transition and the future of district heating. District heating is among one of the oldest form of heating buildings and providing hot water, dating as far back as the Roman Empire, and it already provides heat or 70 million customers across the EU. This framework is set to provide a strong foundation to expand district heating across the country, bringing multiple benefits to our communities, economy, and environment.

Here’s why this development is significant:

• Decarbonising Heat Supply: With approximately 40% of Ireland’s energy consumption devoted to heating, decarbonizing heat is critical. A report by the SEAI has shown that 54% of buildings in Ireland are already suitable for district heating. The new bill enables the roll-out of efficient, low-carbon district heating networks that reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, moving us closer to national climate targets.

• Empowering Communities: District heating creates resilient, sustainable communities by enabling access to cleaner, cost-effective energy. For households and businesses, this can mean lower bills and greater energy security—a priority in today’s energy landscape.

• Boosting Local Economies: By promoting district energy, Ireland can create new opportunities for local investment, job creation, and sustainable development. This bill sets the stage for a thriving district heating sector that supports local employment and encourages innovation.

• Clear Regulatory Framework: With clear regulations now in sight, the district heating industry has a pathway for development, enabling stakeholders to collaborate and invest with confidence. The bill also highlights the government’s commitment to supporting long-term, sustainable energy solution.

At the Irish District Energy Association (IrDEA), we are excited to see Ireland take this important step forward and look forward to supporting stakeholders in this transformative journey. Together, we can create an energy system that is not only more sustainable but also equitable, and inclusive.

Find the bill here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3dd66-heat-networks-and-miscellaneous-provisions-bill-2024/

Private firms wanted to help build Ireland's DH Networks: https://www.businesspost.ie/news/private-firms-wanted-to-help-build-out-irelands-new-continental-style-district-heating-networks/

Call for candidates

The Irish District Energy Association (IrDEA) is the trade organisation representing the district heating and cooling (DHC) sector in Ireland. We act on behalf of our members to support and promote the growth of the DHC industry, creating a new heating market for Ireland which offers greater opportunities to utilise indigenous low-carbon and renewable sources of heat. IrDEA is looking to hire a part-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to drive the creation of a long-term district heating sector in Ireland.

Ireland’s latest Climate Action Plan includes a target of connecting approximately 200,000 homes to district heating by 2030. This role will be central to the success of this as the policy and regulatory foundations are put in place to establish and grow the district heating industry in Ireland. IrDEA’s new CEO will need to be a trusted voice with members, policymakers and the media, while providing thought leadership on issues related to district heating and the decarbonisation of Ireland’s heat sector. Reporting to the Board and Chair of the organisation, the CEO will lead in defining and implementing a new strategy for IrDEA in 2025 and beyond while also leading the day-to-day operations of the business.

This is a senior-level position where the ideal candidate will have experience in policy making in the energy/heating sector. It is a part-time flexible position with a salary of €40,000 to 60,000 depending on experience. The location is also flexible, but the candidate will be required to attend meetings in Dublin from time to time.

If you are interested in the role, please send a cover letter and your CV to hr@districtenergy.ie by 31st December 2024.

IrDEA - Chief Executive Officer - Job Description.pdf

Pictured: (L to R) Mark Geraghty Technical University Dublin, Dudley Stewart Micro Electricity Generation Association, Bill Carberry Danfoss Ireland, Cllr Maria Donoghue Limerick City & County Council, Dr David Connolly IrDEA Chair & CEO of Heatgrid Ireland.

Picture by: Paul Lehane. 

Location: Strand Hotel, Limerick City, Limerick.

Decarbonising Limerick with District Energy Delivered Insights & Engagement on Regional District Energy 

The Decarbonising Limerick event, hosted by IrDEA Chairperson David Connolly on September 12th at The Strand Hotel, was a great success. The event brought together key stakeholders from the public sector, industry, and academia, creating an engaging and dynamic platform for discussions on the future of district energy in Limerick.

We were especially grateful for the presence of Cllr Maria Donoghue, who deputised for the Mayor of Limerick, and added a wealth of expertise and strong commitment to seeing DHC rolled out in Limerick. As an architect and advocate for city centre re-generation, Cllr Donoghue added a true depth of insight and energy that helped to inject a real sense of momentum into the event.

Dudley Stewart and Mark Geraghty brought deep expertise on the exciting projects already underway to implement district energy systems on the ground in Ireland. Their passion and knowledge clearly resonated with all of those present on the day. Special thanks go to Bill Carberry who represented co-hosts Danfoss, whose focus on the district heating and cooling (DHC) opportunities for Limerick City and its hinterland was both informative and inspiring.

Chaired by David Connolly, Chair of IrDEA, the event provided an excellent forum for meaningful engagement, with participants eager to explore the potential of district energy in Limerick and beyond. The insights shared throughout the day highlighted the tremendous opportunity for DHC to play a pivotal role in Limerick’s decarbonisation efforts, further advancing Ireland’s sustainable development goals.

Thanks to the energetic participation of all attendees, and the exceptional presentations from our speakers, "Decarbonising Limerick with District Energy" was a memorable and impactful event.

We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to explore district energy solutions across Ireland.

Board Statement | 25 June 2024
The Board of IrDEA, David Connolly and Donna Gartland, reflect on the achievements made by the current government during its tenure in office and the potential to put in place the foundations for the sector as it reaches the end of its term.

One Final Push to Transform District Heating in Ireland

With the announcement of Minister Eamon Ryan’s imminent departure  from politics recently, it has been a time to reflect on just how much has been achieved in the district heating sector in recent years, but also how critical the final part of his tenure as the Green Party leader will be.

Ireland has the lowest share of renewable heating in Europe and in this context, it is extremely challenging to create a new policy and regulatory environment to stimulate growth as there is very limited knowledge, demand or capacity to get things started. However, even in this backdrop, this Government has put in place the foundations for exponential growth of renewable heating and in particular district heating in the years to come.

Before the government of the 32^nd Dáil was elected, there was no operational large-scale district heating project in Ireland, no underlying support scheme or prospect of one coming, a relatively modest target to grow district heating, and no regulation of the district heating sector. That is no longer the case.

The first  significant change the Government made was to add additional capacity to the department and agencies and create a strong focus on renewable heat. In 2020 there was a single Assistant Secretary for  energy in the  Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), now in addition to two new business units dedicated purely to heating there is also a new district heating Centre of Excellence in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.  This focus and resourcing for heat would have been unimaginable back in 2020.

Similarly, this Government created the first dedicated national study for the heat sector, and more specifically a plan to bring the heat sector from the lowest share of renewable heat in Europe to net zero carbon emissions. The National Heat Study  published in 2022 contained eight in depth analysis of the various solutions available in Ireland to decarbonise heat, including an analysis on the potential for district heating, and concluded with a roadmap of recommendations for the short, medium and long term. This robust evidence base was the first study from any national agency to recognise the enormous potential of district heating in Ireland and has transformed the perception of what it can achieve across stakeholders in Ireland’s energy sector.

At the time the current Government was elected, the target for district heating growth was relatively modest at “0.12 TWh growing linearly from 2023 to 2028” , bringing the total supply to ~0.6 TWh by 2030. In contrast, this Government informed by an evidence base like the one published in the National Heat Study set a much more ambitious target of 2.7 TWh, which has built huge confidence in the sector’s potential to grow.

In 2022, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which regulates electricity, gas and water in Ireland, was officially appointed as the regulator of District Heating and Cooling networks. For the first time ever, a Regulator was appointed to protect final consumers of district heating in Ireland.

In 2023, Minister Ryan opened the first ever large-scale district heating scheme in Ireland in 2023, the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, a landmark moment for the sector. In addition, the first ever Government policy paper dedicated to kickstarting the district heating sector was published by the District Heating Steering Group. It outlined 11 specific policy recommendations across legislation, support schemes, regulation and capacity building (out of which the SEAI Centre of Excellence was formed).

A year on from this study and as the final phase of the current Government appears on the horizon, there is huge anticipation that the first ever legislation for district heating in Ireland will be initiated and the first ever support scheme for district heating projects will be available. These are the last vital pieces of the jigsaw.

In particular, putting in place the first ever financial support scheme for district heating before the conclusion of this Government will be vital to ensure all the work to date is can deliver projects on the ground before 2030.

With this final push, this Government can leave a legacy for the district heating sector which will echo through many decades ahead as the sector looks to finally play a central role in decarbonising Ireland’s heat sector.

PRESS RELEASE | 18 June 2024

DISTRICT ENERGY ASSOCIATION THANKS EAMON RYAN FOR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE ACTION

The Irish District Energy Association (IrDEA) extends its best wishes to Minister Eamon Ryan on the announcement of his resignation as the leader of the Green Party.

Minister Ryan has demonstrated unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action throughout his time in politics. His tenure as Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications has seen significant strides forward in Ireland and the EU’s climate agenda, with Ireland’s district energy sector benefitting greatly as a result.

The consistency, clarity, and commitment shown by Minister Ryan to the energy transition has seen the district energy sector’s 2030 targets grow from 0.6 to 2.7TWhr (enough to meet the heat demand equivalent of approx. 200,000 homes and 2,500 public buildings).

In a statement responding to today’s announcement, IrDEA CEO, Yvonne Murphy said:

It would be an understatement to say what he has done during his time as Minister has been a turning point for the district energy sector in Ireland. Minister Ryan has not only led the government towards ever more ambitious district energy targets but has invested significantly in resources aimed at delivering them. This includes establishing two new business units in his department focused exclusively on heating, convening the District Heating Steering Group, and the landmark establishment of a District Heating Centre of Excellence within the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. During his time in politics and leading the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Minister Ryan has built a legacy of forward looking and evidence-based policy that we believe will deliver much needed expansion of low-carbon district energy for Ireland. We wish the Minister the very best in what comes after his resignation and thank him wholeheartedly for his dedication, commitment, and leadership.  

IrDEA Chairperson and Co-Founder, Dr David Connolly said,

I have had the privilege of working in the district energy sector in various capacities and throughout different forums over the years, and I have always known Eamon Ryan to be a leading and committed advocate for this technology and the sector in Ireland. His term in government has been a watershed moment for district energy, a pivotal time when the sector's foundations were established and the seeds for its exponential growth were planted. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Minister Ryan for his long-standing, career-long commitment to district energy and wish him all the best into the future.

Connolly concluded in saying,

Though today’s announcement signals his intention to stand down from politics soon, we look forward to supporting Minister Ryan and his officials as they finalise the key pieces of work that remain outstanding. This includes seeing Ireland’s first piece of dedicated legislation for the district energy sector initiated and passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas and establishing a financial support scheme to promote delivery of district energy projects. There is much to do in the coming weeks and months, and we look forward to supporting the Minister and his team in this vital work.

The Irish District Energy Association is the sole trade representative organisation for the sector in Ireland, it is a membership-based organisation whose aim it is to promote and support the development of the sector.

District energy networks distribute water, which has been heated at a local energy centre, to buildings through a network of insulated underground pipes eliminating the need for fossil fuels and individual boilers. The benefits include improved energy security, efficiency savings, affordability, better air quality and employment opportunities.

ENDS

Contact

Yvonne Murphy

Chief Executive Officer, Irish District Energy Association

yvonne@districtenergy.ie

089 4946654