IrDEA today submitted its response to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on the proposed National Energy Demand Strategy.
In its submission, IrDEA outlines its view of the critical role district energy systems can play in achieving national decarbonization goals and enhancing energy system flexibility.
The submission highlights three core areas where district energy can significantly contribute to Ireland’s energy strategy:
- System flexibility
- Demand reduction, and
- Decarbonized heat delivery
Commenting on the submission, IrDEA CEO Yvonne Murphy said,
By leveraging thermal energy storage (TES) and combined heat and power (CHP) technologies, district energy systems offer a robust solution for managing energy demand, reducing emissions, and stabilizing energy prices. It is a key linking technology that will allow Ireland to resolve a range of challenges we currently face in both the heat and electricity markets. And, we're keen to see all possible steps taken to roll out the technology across Ireland as soon as possible.
IrDEA’s consultation response sets ambitious targets for the adoption of district energy, aiming to supply heat equivalent to 200,000 homes by 2030. It argues for the integration of district energy into the National Energy Demand Strategy to ensure a cohesive approach to decarbonization, energy efficiency, and system resilience.
Murphy went on to say,
We urge policymakers to recognize the value of district energy in achieving Ireland’s climate action targets in all key policy documents. While great strides have been made in documents such as the Climate Action Plan 2023 (and 2024) it is vital that all policy instruments are set on the same path. This requires a strategic revision of the current energy strategy to include district energy as a key component of Ireland's demand management planning process.
According to the organisation, IrDEA’s submission is a call to action for Ireland to embrace district energy as a pivotal element of the country's energy future, ensuring a sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy system for generations to come.
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Download and view full submission here.
