SIX innovative ‘energy positive’ projects are to begin in Limerick city this summer following an open call for novel energy ideas in the heart of Limerick’s Georgian Neighbourhood.
The +CityxChange [Positive City Exchange] project is working to develop areas of “positive energy” in Limerick city which produce more energy than they consume.
Limerick City and County Council is a lead partner on the +CityxChange along with the city of Trondheim in Norway and is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme.
‘Take Control of Your Energy’ was the open innovation call stream to fund projects that test ideas to reduce the amount of energy used in the city, and increase the energy generated from innovative sources. The teams will demonstrate different possibilities for changing the way we use energy in the city.
One of the funded projects, ‘Greening the Smart Grid’, a collaboration between the Urban Coop, Community Power and Clean Tech Energy will be using a solar powered microgrid to extend the growing season on local allotments.
Bill Kelly of the project team said: “We are really excited to raise awareness in Limerick of the tools we all have at our disposal to enable everyone to join in the decarbonisation of society.”
St Michael’s Rowing Club (SMRC) is another group which received funding to progress the installation of PV Panels and batteries on the roof of the club. They want to experiment with using solar power to charge their launches and training events on the river.
Andrew O’Connell of SMRC said: “We’re looking forward to installing the new PV Panels and making a move away from petrol usage to clean energy in our club. St Michael’s excels at responding to the big challenges, and this is going to be really positive for the club and the city.”
Clean Air Enthusiast Alan Bell has been funded to develop air quality monitors to attach to vehicles and bicycles in the city centre, to build up a detailed picture of the air quality in the city throughout the day.
Alan said: “We want to help Limerick people to understand more about the way air quality in the city is affected by things like transport and home heating, giving them the power to make informed decisions for the future.”
As part of the Open Innovation Call, +CityxChange leaders from Limerick City and County Council, University of Limerick, Colaborativa, Smart MPower, and Space Engagers will be working with the project teams to develop their ideas for implementation over the summer.
Project Titles
Greening the Smart Grid
To energise the citizenry of Limerick city to become actively involved in the energy transition and food production in the Georgian district and its environs – short projects and hands-on growing food in an EMS-enabled microgrid.
PowerGeneration
PowerGeneration is a public participatory ‘Maker’ workshop which aims to foster public engagement and empowered community climate actions related to energy production and consumption. The workshop demonstrates and facilitates participatory small-scale 12V power generation to ‘make power’ together.
Georgian Heat Exchange
To recover waste heat from the cafe/ restaurant on the ground floor for use in the cafe and the apartments above.
Solar Carport
To install a solar charged carport to generate clean, renewable energy. This energy can then be used to charge electric vehicles parked inside while any excess generation can be used elsewhere on site.
Mapping the Air Quality Microclimate
To map localised air quality levels in and around the Georgian Quarter. We would like to provide visibility of how air quality varies in areas of high chimney density and weather conditions to encourage people to make different, healthier, fuel choices.
Petrol to PV: Decarbonising the Shannon River
To install PV Panels and battery storage on the roof of the Rowing Club. The energy gathered will be used by the club directly and for charging lithium ion batteries. The stored energy will then be used in training launches and events on the River Shannon, decarbonising an important Limerick amenity and reducing petrol use.
