Today’s smart grid technologies can help Ireland’s ambitious plans to increase renewable energy. This is the message Bob Gilligan, vice president of digital energy for GE Energy Services, will deliver May 10 to delegates at the Inter-Government conference, “Marine Energy and Smart Grid Technology.”
“Electricity generation accounts for approximately 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, ranking it the top single source of pollution,” Gilligan said. “With Ireland expecting a 60 percent increase in energy demand by 2025, action needs to be taken now to increase energy efficiency, control demand and add renewable generation to the electrical grid.”
Gilligan’s address will outline the challenge; identify solutions and potential for sustainable energy success by integrating a network of information-rich, flexible smart grid solutions with the current grid infrastructure. Attendees will learn how GE’s “Real. Smart. Solutions.” already enable a host of countries to benefit from improved efficiency and use of renewable and distributed generation such as wind and solar, to lower carbon emissions and meet growing demand.
The invitation-only event, taking place in Dublin and Belfast on May 10-11, brings together more than 150 senior government officials, business leaders, as well as representatives from trade associations and research institutions from the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland. The goal: to explore new business opportunities and develop collaborative projects to help address the energy challenges Ireland faces. Offshore marine electricity generating devices and the application of state-of-the-art smart grid management tools that can help integrate intermittent power onto – and throughout – the power system are key to the discussion.
The Island of Ireland is seen by many as the perfect place to test and develop marine renewable energy. It has extensive offshore marine territory and the island's coastline is among the best in the world for offshore wind, wave and tidal resources. As a result, governments in both Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland have ambitious plans to develop this resource into a significant cutting-edge industry by the end of the next decade.
New GE technology breakthroughs are already supporting a similar initiative in Hawaii, helping increase the use of wind and solar power on islands with no domestic source of fossil fuels.
“GE is committed to helping shrink the carbon footprint while increasing the energy capacity and reliability that countries need to thrive,” Gilligan said. “We are already deploying solutions that are making a difference today, and we have the resources to help plan and implement a healthier energy future.”