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benchmarked against peers and best practice, e.g. with
improved efficiencies. Such statements could include
details on financing options to increase efficiency.
In this regard, the smart meter allows very accurate
recording of an electricity consumer’s true consumption,
and it allows this data to be read remotely. This potentially
allows consumers greater freedom in their choice of
tariff and, in the future, may also enable consumers to
know their exact carbon footprint from their electricity
consumption.
Conclusions and Future Challenges
Key High Level Messages
Meeting our energy targets and effectively transitioning
towards a carbon-free society represents a huge economic
and societal opportunity for the country. Clearly, the
outlook for energy is very challenging. Fossil fuels make up
about 90% of Ireland’s current energy profile – as outlined
in the Energy White Paper these need to be phased out
and replaced with readily available renewable energy
resources such as wind, solar and tidal. Already Ireland
faces challenges in meeting its renewable energy targets.
Significant ramping up of actions is required as well as
much greater local involvement and input into the process.
The Energy White Paper sets out the blueprint and
associated actions for Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon
energy future. It is clear that there are many specific
challenges to address to achieve this vision, and regular
reports on the status of the planned outputs would be
a useful initiative to allow progress to be tracked and
measured. Investment in clean and sustainable energy
solutions is needed. Global energy systems will need to
undergo a major transformation in the coming decades.
Energy distribution and storage systems are also a factor
to consider as part of the vision for energy saving,
decarbonisation and community engagement.
Large-scale public and private investment in energy
infrastructure, including energy efficiency and innovative
energy management systems, energy distribution and
smart grid systems, is required. Major investment is
urgently required to transition to a multifunctional grid
system that is fit for renewables including microgeneration.
Sustainable energy communities could be supported to
work together to significantly reduce energy-wasteful
activities, and replace fossil fuels with renewable energy
alternatives.
Progressive policies and information provision to support
citizens to engage with the new energy future are
required, as is envisaged by the White Paper. There are
very clear wins for citizens in terms of energy savings by
retrofitting older and less energy-efficient housing stock
to reach higher energy ratings. Retrofits of the housing
stock, especially older houses, as well as commercial and
public buildings to reach BER grade A is a national climate
change-related project that could be prioritised through
more targeted action programmes. This project would also
benefit householders in terms of comfort and savings on
heating bills.
Currently fossil fuels provide approximately
90% of Ireland’s energy this is causing significant
adverse effects on human health, ecosystems and
our climate system.
The planned phase out of fossil fuel use and
deployment of renewable energy resources will be
central to a major transformation of Ireland’s energy
systems in the coming decades.
This will require large-scale public and private
investment in energy infrastructure, energy
efficiency and innovative management systems,
including smart distribution and storage systems.
Information provision and positive engagement with
citizens and stakeholders is essential for the success
of this process, to include communities, public
bodies, energy providers and users.
Significant investments in retrofitting existing public
and private buildings to high energy efficiency
standards is a priority and new building should meet
the highest efficiency standards.