THE University of Limerick has appointed Dr Paddy Finn as Adjunct Professor of Smart Energy Systems at the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering.
Together with business partner Duncan O’Toole, Dr Finn founded Limerick-based grid business VIOTAS in 2013, with the goal of democratising electricity markets and enabling a more sustainable future.
The business does this through developing demand response technologies and services, which allows commercial and industrial electricity customers to get paid for automatically adjusting their electricity consumption to support the reliability, security and stability of national electricity grids.
VIOTAS services have been used extensively by Ireland’s electricity system operator, EirGrid, for a number of years and played a key role in curbing the effects of the widely publicised power generation shortages this winter.
Headquartered in Castletroy, VIOTAS now employs more than 80 staff in several countries including Australia and Poland.
Dr Finn spent 12 years at the University of Limerick, where he attained his undergraduate and doctorate degrees, and undertook two postdoctoral research fellowships. It was during this time that he developed an interest in demand response and smart grid solutions, which he credits to Professor Colin Fitzpatrick, now Head of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering.
“I look forward to supporting the department in the enhancement of content relating to smart power systems, so a greater number of graduates can enjoy rewarding careers where they apply their skills and knowledge to solving the technical challenges associated with decarbonisation globally,” Dr Finn said.
