Science Foundation Ireland Launches Energy Strategy

Ministers Also Announce First Call For Energy-Dedicated Strategic Research Cluster

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan T.D., Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan T.D. and Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, Conor Lenihan T.D., today (Wednesday, July 15^th 2009) jointly launched the Science Foundation Ireland “Energy Strategy”.

Coinciding with the launch of the strategy, the Ministers also announced that a call for applications for the first SFI Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) dedicated to energy will be issued in the coming weeks.

Launching SFI’s “Energy Strategy”, the Tánaiste explained “When established in 2000, Science Foundation Ireland was tasked with investing in two areas of research considered to be of the greatest strategic importance – Biotechnology and Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). In more recent times, we have entered a new phase – one where the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector are now significant. In recognition of this, the Government formally extended the remit of SFI in May 2008, to incorporate the emerging areas of sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies”.

“The scientific and business communities and, by extension, citizens in their daily lives, must adopt innovative approaches to energy. In order to achieve this, we must acquire a greater understanding of the potential and constraints of energy resources in a modern-day context. Today represents major progress towards achieving this. The SFI energy remit will be characterized by funding world-class projects which will utilise the close proximity between research in this area and business exploitation.” the Tánaiste added.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan T.D. highlighted the critical role that world-class research will play in ensuring that Ireland not only meets its domestic as well as its international energy obligations, but becomes a leading player in this emerging sphere.

“The 2007 Programme for Government included the commitment to expand the remit of Science Foundation Ireland into the energy area. Just over a year ago, the energy pillar was formally added to the work of SFI. This was a crucial development in Ireland's energy policy. Energy can drive Ireland's economic future. Our energy challenges, including the development of renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency, can be our economic opportunity. To secure the commercial and policy benefits, we need the expertise that world-class research can provide. We have the scientists, the engineers and the business leaders to make this happen. Just as we have prospered with biotech and ICT, Science Foundation Ireland's newest pillar can ensure we provide sustainable energy and the jobs of the future," Minister Ryan said.

According to Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, Conor Lenihan T.D., “Energy, by its very nature, is both complex and diverse, and is intertwined with a number of Government Departments, as well as a wide range of agencies such as the Irish Energy Research Council (IERC), Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the Commission for Energy Regulation and many others. An integrated approach is therefore essential, and right across Government, we are prioritising such an interdisciplinary, cross-departmental process. In doing so, the Government will, at all times, remain mindful of the need to balance the embracing of new technologies and methods with our environmental responsibilities.”

Speaking at the strategy launch, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland, Prof. Frank Gannon, said: “SFI considers energy to be a key determinant in Ireland’s long-term economic competitiveness. For example, at present, there exists a shortage of engineering skills in the energy area. The emphasis of the strategy is on developing human capital in a collaborative context and is a necessary measure to address this current shortfall. The implementation of the strategy is an exciting prospect, and, we are confident that this issue will be addressed. As with all other SFI initiatives, close and continual engagement with industry is at the heart of this strategy. The energy and environment sectors will provide strong economic growth and job creation in Ireland in the years and decades to come. The establishment of a specifically-tailored Strategy Research Cluster for energy will help to propel Ireland to the fore of this area.”