Ireland’s Energy Revolution
2023 Agenda
8:00am
Registration, Networking & Exhibition Viewing
9:00am
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
Entrepreneur & Broadcaster
Managing Director, iQuest & Business Post LIVE
9:10am
MINISTERIAL ADDRESS
Ossian Smyth TD, Minister of State, Department of Environment, Climate and Communications
9:20am
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Accelerating the global energy transition
Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks, International Energy Agency (IEA)
9:30am
PANEL DISCUSSION
Navigating the shifting frontiers of the energy transition
The global energy transition, pivotal to climate change mitigation efforts and for delivering secure and affordable energy for all, has made gradual progress in recent years. Despite this, alarm bells on global warming keep getting louder as countries are facing simultaneous pressures on all three pillars of the energy transition: economic development and growth, environmental sustainability, and energy security and affordable access. The panel will discuss the uncertainties that have shaken the foundations of the energy system and the paradigm shift required in our strategies and immediate actions.
Energy Attaché, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU
CEO, Electricity Association of Ireland
Director of Policy and Insights, Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland (SEAI)
Group MD Energy Customer Solutions GB (Energy solutions) & IRL (SSE Airtricity)
10:00am
EUROPEAN KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Leading the revolution in Europe
MEP, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, European Parliament
10:15am
PRESENTATION
Biomethane Energy Report – potential for decarbonising Ireland’s gas supplies
Future Networks Manager, Gas Networks Ireland
10:30am
PANEL DISCUSSION
Scaling up on renewables
Leaders in climate action industries must grasp the opportunities for their energy businesses. A massive up-scaling in our switch to renewables is required including accelerating the delivery of offshore wind, onshore wind and solar as well as ramping up green hydrogen production. Ireland is well placed to take advantage of opportunities through our vast renewable resources and there are opportunities for innovation and new technologies to play a significant role to meet emissions reduction targets.
Topics will include:
- What are the investment trends in the low carbon energy transition?
- How can we de-risk clean energy investments to maintain capital flow?
- What process and energy technologies are available to drive digital transformation in businesses?
- What do we need from the national grid?
- What capital financing and funding opportunities are available?
Country President, Schneider Electric
Regulation and Commercial Manager, ESB Networks
CEO, Enterprise Ireland
11:00am
COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
11:30am
STREAM 1 and STREAM 2 will run concurrently in separate rooms
DELIVERING OUR NATIONAL CLIMATE ACTION TARGETS
DELIVERING THE CLIMATE ACTION AGENDA IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR
11:35am
PRESENTATION
Head of the National Network, Local Connections Programme, ESB Networks
11:35am
PRESENTATION
Key drivers for engagement on the journey to net zero
11:45am
CASE STUDY
Warrington Borough Council – a commercial approach to public sector clean energy investment
Head of Corporate Finance, Warrington Borough Council
11:45am
CASE STUDY
Harnessing the best of Ireland’s natural resources with Ballygowan
Britvic Ireland recently announced a new Customer Corporate Power Purchase Agreement to ensure that Ballygowan, Ireland’s iconic water brand is produced using 100% renewable electricity harnessed from wind energy. Sian will share the steps that Britvic Ireland is taking across its manufacturing operations towards a more sustainable environmental footprint.
Director of Sustainable Business, Britvic Ireland
12:00pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
Leading the energy revolution in the state sector
The public sector is committed to leading by example and demonstrating its commitment to climate action through a range of activities and measures it will implement to reduce emissions. Energy efficiency is a core component so improving buildings’ and operations’ energy efficiency is an essential step. These measures will include upgrading lighting, heating and cooling systems, implementing energy management systems, and promoting sustainable transport and mobility at every opportunity.
Topics include:
- updating our roadmaps to align with the deadlines outlined in CAP23
- promoting energy efficiency and investment in low-carbon and renewable energy solutions
- the role of innovation and technology in achieving the broader national goals
- investing in research and development applicable to buildings and operations and where it can be leveraged
Chief Sustainability Officer, CIÉ Group
Digital Manager, Bord na Móna Renewable Energy
Head of Sustainability and Innovation, Uisce Éireann
12:00pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
Leading the energy revolution in the private sector
CAP23 outlines ambitious plans for the private sector. The scale of change means all private sector organisations need to act now if Ireland is to meet its climate obligations. Our expert speakers will outline the scale of the challenges for Irish businesses and help them to understand CAP23, and how to achieve their ambitions, its impact on citizens, communities, and enterprise. They will explore how climate action matters translate into meaningful business decision-making and what it will take for responsible and resilient businesses to succeed in the long run.
Senior Executive, Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC)
External Affairs & Stakeholder Liaison, Simply Blue Group
Head of Energy & Sustainability, Savills
12:30pm
SPOTLIGHT ON... School sector climate roadmap
Decarbonising the school sector
Reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency across the school sector
Technical Manager, Planning & Building Unit, Department of Education
12:30pm
SPOTLIGHT ON...
De-risking offshore renewable energy development using computational modelling
Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD)
12:40pm
SPOTLIGHT ON... Health
The climate crisis is a health crisis
Showing leadership and commitment to integrate sustainable actions and principles across areas such as buildings, green space development, transport, greener models for health care, procurement and more.
National Director for Quality Improvement, HSE
12:45pm
IN CONVERSATION WITH…
The journey through wind and solar development in Ireland
Farmer and Owner, Crocane Wind Farm and Lurrig Solar Farm
12:50pm
SPOTLIGHT ON...
Exploring synergies between offshore wind, district heating and hydrogen centred in Poolbeg
Executive Manager – Research, Development and Innovation, Codema, Dublin’s Energy Agency
1:00pm
LUNCH BREAK & NETWORKING
2:05pm
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE
Acting in a climate emergency
What should the government and the energy sector do to ensure that the state meets its obligations under the Climate Act and related carbon budgets? How can the energy transition be made fair and just, to displaced workers, energy-impoverished households and marginalised communities?
Climate Campaign Coordinator, Friends of the Earth Ireland
2:20pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
Accelerating the revolution – what we need to do now
Climate action is not all about challenges, but about realising the opportunities that a clean, sustainable environment and society will offer in a way that is fair for everyone. The panel will discuss how we need to ramp up our ambitions to accelerate the actions that are required to respond to the climate crisis, putting climate solutions at the centre of our social and economic development. Also how we need to actively engage our citizens, encouraging individuals and communities to continue to be key drivers of the low-carbon transition.
Head of Policy, Wind Energy Ireland
Senior Manager, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
2:50pm
LOCKNOTE ADDRESS
How can we increase the pace of the energy transition?
Professor of Energy Engineering, University College Cork (UCC) & Director of SFI MaREI Centre
3:05pm
CLOSING REMARKS
Entrepreneur & Broadcaster
3:15pm