Research Projects Archive

Microgrid Franchise for Intelligent Community (MiFIC)

Description: National and EU energy policy is targeting increased generation of energy from cleaner renewable energy (RE) sources including micro generation (μGen) systems. Distribution network operators and aggregators are however concerned about the potential impact on grid stability. Further research and development on improved grid stability with viable μGen systems is required to achieve RE targets and to empower prosumers as key energy citizens.

The aim of this project is to determine how to increase μGen based RE penetration through the design, development and optimization of a community grid (C-Grid) that is to be deployed as a franchised product offering using a SOP (Standard Operating Procedure):
• Design a C-Grid and define the structural & operational flexibility while minimizing impact to the grid stability
• Design and develop the power and energy matching algorithms for energy trading platform
• Improve and optimize the community grid stabilisation unit
• Optimize the energy storage functionalities for future microgrid operation

Impacts:
• Improvements on state of the art or current commercial offerings in μGrid systems
• Sustainability achievement of μGen based RE systems
• Increase the penetration of RE
• Empowering energy citizen through the development of energy trading mechanism for the prosumers
• Establish nationally relevant demonstration sites
• Create new business models and opportunities

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Resident Engagement

Research Partners: Cork City Council, Smart Gateway Project

Description: The result of this research will provide information and evidence for relevant authorities, businesses and residents to identify areas for investment planning, policy implications, intervention measures and deployment programmes.

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Tempo

Research Partners: Limerick Institute of Technology (Project leaders), University of Ulster

Description: Total Energy Management for Production Operations

Commercialisation: The project will provide a fully integrated solution based on intelligent energy nodes for monitoring, detailed heuristic and predictive data analysis and multi-layer visualisation and decision support tools.

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AUTHENTIC

Research Partners: University College Dublin (Project leaders), Tyndall National Institute, Cork Institute of Technology, University College Cork

Description: Autonomic Home Area Network Infrastructure

Commercialisation: This project seeks to design and deliver a HAN infrastructure capable of supporting opportunistic decision making pertaining to effective energy management and other services in a residential setting.

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ROWBUST

Research Partners: Tyndall National Institute (Project leaders), Cork Institute of Technology

Description: Robust Wireless Sensor For Building Usage Technology

Impacts: The IERC ROWBUST system is a smarter and more user friendly building energy management solution that with further development could result in increased savings of between 10-30% in energy costs for most buildings, and up to 70% for older buildings, by improving installation methods and reducing maintenance.

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EMWINS

Research Partners: University College Cork (Project leaders), NUI Galway, Cork Institute of Technology

Description: Energy-Monitoring Wireless Networked System

Commercialisation: The project will provide a fully integrated solution based on intelligent energy nodes for monitoring, detailed heuristic and predictive data analysis and multi-layer visualisation and decision support tools.

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WSN INA

Research Partners: Cork Institute of Technology (Project leaders), Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Maynooth University

Description: Wireless Sensor Networks as a Platform Technology

Impacts: The project team has studied WSN adoption, challenges and opportunities in three use cases, covering commercial buildings, home networks and smart cities. The study examined each use case against four criteria of energy, cost, interference and computation.

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PCM

Research Partners: Dublin Institute of Technology (Project leaders), Cork Institute of Technology

Description: Water Compact Thermal Energy Storage Unit & Heat Exchanger (Phase Change Materials)

Impacts: The use of the PCM tank has resulted in the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant operating in a more continuous way (run times increased from 20 to 210 minutes) with resultant benefits of greater system efficiency, improved system reliability and improved return on investment.

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HMI INA

Research Partners: Dublin City University

Description: Optimal Human Machine Interfaces for the Residential Market

Impacts: This short research study involved monitoring subjects using electroencephalogram (EEG) and other physiological sensors in a laboratory setting while they were presented with a series of visual choice sets specifically designed to replicate the social contexts for energy usage decisions at home. Individuals’ responses to these choice sets were correlated with neurological feedback to identify trends and patterns.

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