NexSys Launches
In May 2022, Nexsys was officially launched by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, T.D. Click to See videos at the launch
Multidisciplinary Research
To collaborate as a multi-disciplinary team to provide technology development and evidence-based insights into the energy transition, through multi-dimensional research and outreach that is focused on equity for energy citizens and practical solutions for industry.
Launching NexSys, Minister Simon Harris said: “I am delighted to announce details of NexSys, a partnership which aims to answer some of the fundamental research questions as part of the transition to net zero.”
See Minister Harris’ comments at the launch here .
Funding
A total of €16 million funding was awarded to NexSys for its Strategic Partnership Programme. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has awarded €8 million funding to NexSys, matched by co-funding industry partners EirGrid, ESB, Gas Networks Ireland, CIE, RWE, SSE, and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Atlantic Hub and a philanthropic donation by David O’Reilly.
An all-island collaboration
It is led by the UCD Energy Institute and supported by eight other research organisations and nine industry co-funding partners.
Plans Are Ambitious
The consortium has an ambitious plan for the development of energy integration technology that will pave the way toward net zero transition in the Irish energy industry. Delivering economic and social impacts through advances in energy generation.
Director of NexSys and UCD Energy Institute, Prof Andrew Keane said:
“NexSys is about the future, the future of our energy system and how we get to net zero carbon and also about developing our island’s talent to shape our future energy system. Solutions are front and centre of what we are developing. We are uniquely placed with our industry partnerships to develop cutting edge technologies alongside developing engagement and dialogue with society on the energy transition.”
Partnerships
The partnership will have potentially transformative socio-economic impacts, and will further enhance the global reputation of Irish research in the energy sector.”
Commenting at the launch event, Prof Philip Nolan, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland, said:
“Science Foundation Ireland is delighted to support this research partnership, which brings together a multidisciplinary research team with industry to focus on energy systems integration. Successful research and innovationin this important sector will deliver a more cost-effective energy system with less impact on the environment supporting our transition to zero emissions. NexSys alsoprovides for important future skills in the sector by training early and mid-career researchers in energy systems integration.”
Strong Foundations
NexSys builds on the success of its predecessor, the Energy Systems Integration Partnership Programme (ESIPP), delivering economic and social impacts through advances in energy generation in areas including energy demand of cities, water, transport sectors, and the wind energy sector.
UCD College Principal of Engineering and Architecture and senior researcher on NexSys, Prof Aoife Ahern said:
“The NexSys project, with engineers of all disciplines, will play an important role in achieving a just energy transition for Ireland, in both public and private enterprises and I am delighted that UCD Engineering, which is a world leader in engineering research related to the environment and energy, will be so deeply involved in NexSys. Engineers influence every aspect of our lives, including infrastructure, transport, communications and energy provision, and the research and work done by engineering in this project is important in determining how we can maintain our current quality of life, while transitioning to renewable energies.”
Talent Development
NexSys will also deliver a comprehensive programme of training for researchers in collaboration with the industry over the next five years.
Additional Media Coverage
- Coverage by The Irish Times
“Project aims to answer key questions presented by the transition to net zero”
- Coverage by the Silicon Republic ->
“A new collaborative project that brings academic and industry partners together with the aim of decarbonising Ireland’s energy sector”