Navigating Ireland’s Energy Transition | Ep4: Caitríona Sheridan

Energy Futures Podcast

Episode 4: Navigating Ireland’s Energy Transition with Caitríona Sheridan

In this episode, host Jonny Prest is joined by Caitríona Sheridan, Senior Engineer at Bord na Móna and an alumna of Imperial College London’s Energy Futures Lab MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures. Caitríona shares her journey through the energy sector, offering insights into Ireland’s renewable energy goals and her work at the forefront of the country’s transition to clean energy. They discuss Bord na Móna’s innovative projects, including flexible technology initiatives and the co-location of large energy users with renewable power generation, driving sustainability and efficiency.

If you’re curious about Ireland’s renewable energy landscape or how industries are innovating for a sustainable future, this episode is a must-listen!

Key chapters

Guest Introduction: Caitríona Sheridan [00:00:30]

Caitríona Sheridan, Senior Engineer at Bord na Móna, discusses her role and Ireland's renewable energy goals.

Caitríona’s career path [00:01:03]

Caitríona shares how her passion for sustainability evolved during her academic journey and the influence of her engineering background.

The importance of power systems [00:04:03]

Caitríona discusses the critical role of power systems in decarbonisation and the transition to renewable energy.

Ireland's ambitious renewable energy goals [00:07:17]

Ireland aims to generate 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and Caitríona explores the challenges and opportunities.

Bord na Móna's role in renewable energy [00:12:26]

Caitríona explains Bord na Móna's transition from peat harvesting to becoming a climate solutions business and its renewable energy projects.

Offshore wind as a key opportunity [00:09:08]

Offshore wind presents Ireland's biggest opportunity for renewable energy development, with a potential of 37GW.

Eco Energy Parks and co-location [00:17:17]

Caitríona introduces Bord na Móna's eco energy parks, which co-locate renewable energy infrastructure with data centers to optimise resources.

Energy storage innovations [00:19:35]

Caitríona dives into exciting developments in energy storage, including lithium-ion projects and the future of long-duration storage.

Collaboration between industry and academia [00:22:00]

Caitríona highlights the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers for advancing renewable energy.

Advice for students pursuing industry connections [00:23:48]

Caitríona offers practical advice for students looking to connect with industry and develop research applicable to real-world challenges.

Ireland as Europe's energy lab [00:25:18]

Ireland's unique position as a leader in wind energy and its role as the "Lab of Europe" for renewable energy integration.

Engaging communities in renewable energy projects [00:29:11]

Bord na Móna's community engagement strategies, including benefit schemes and scholarships, to involve local communities in energy projects.

Decarbonisation and a just transition [00:32:10]

Caitríona emphasises the urgency of decarbonising the energy sector and ensuring a just transition for all stakeholders.

Closing remarks and future vision [00:33:53]

Caitríona shares her vision for the future of energy, focusing on rapid decarbonization, electrification, and smarter energy use.

Key Topics Covered

• Caitríona Sheridan’s Career Journey: From research roles to flexible technology projects at Bord na Móna.
• Ireland’s Renewable Energy Goals: How Ireland is making strides in becoming a global leader in clean energy.
• Flexible Technology for Renewable Energy: The role of innovative technologies in integrating more green electrons into the grid.
• Co-locating Large Energy Users with Renewable Energy: Reducing carbon footprints and optimizing efficiency.
• Innovation at Bord na Móna: Projects and strategies driving sustainability in Ireland.
• Challenges in Ireland’s Energy Transition: Overcoming grid constraints and regulatory hurdles.

Additional Links

• Caitríona Sheridan LinkedIn
• Bord na Móna: Learn more about Ireland’s leading renewable energy supplier

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