For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple and wrong.” This aphorism frequently comes to mind when I reflect on climate solutions.

Problems don’t come more complex or urgent than climate change, and sadly there is no shortage of solutions that seem appealing and straightforward, but are, at best, distractions. In the worst cases, some of these solutions can be more harmful than doing nothing at all.

Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is one such solution. HVO is being aggressively promoted as a convenient, low-carbon “drop-in” substitute for diesel, heating oil and jet kerosene, requiring no modifications to engines or boilers. Its apparent simplicity makes it an attractive quick fix.

The first detailed global assessment of the electricity generation potential of rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) technology has been conducted by researchers at MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine in University College Cork (UCC), in collaboration with international research partners. The findings are published in Nature Communications. 

The recently published Climate Bill 2021 commits Ireland to pursue and achieve the transition to a climate neutral economy, by no later than the end of the year 2050. It further introduces a process for establishing five-yearly carbon budgets that will be proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC), finalised by the Minister for Climate and approved by the Government.

Our electricity grid is facing serious challenges, with growing warnings around energy shortages and possible blackouts. According to the Government, we can be "reasonably confident" that the lights will stay on this winter, but we "cannot rule out" the possibility of electricity blackouts in Ireland over the next few years.

But what exactly is a blackout, and why do they occur? What can we learn from other countries that have experienced major blackouts? And why, in Ireland, one of the most developed countries in the world, are we facing the real possibility of electricity blackouts this winter?

The Electricity Association of Ireland in collaboration with the MaREI Centre launched ‘Our Zero e-Mission Future’ report which examines the configuration of the future all-island power system as it meets the challenges of renewable electricity policy, decarbonisation and security of supply. The report was written by Energy Engineering PhD student Laura Mehigan and School of Engineering Fellow Dr. Paul Deane. The recording of the event can be found here. 

Brian Ó Gallachóir appears on Pat Kenny’s Newstalk radio show for Green Scene every Wednesday. 

Brian Ó Gallachóir chaired the CREDENCE session at the SFI 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Science Medal Event in the United States Institute of Peace, Washington DC. 

School of Engineering and MaREI’s Dr. Paul Deane attends recent DEEDS (DialoguE on European Decarbonisation Strategies) meeting in Milan working on #ClimateChange mitigation and #decarbonisation of #Europe !

Michelle Kearney and Noel Monihan from the Climate Change and Bioenergy Policy team in the Department of Agriculture’s met with School of Engineering and MAREI’s Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir and Dr. David Wall to discuss climate mitigation in agriculture and biogas sustainability.

New blog on RTÉ Brainstorm from School of Engineering and MaREI Research Fellow Dr. Paul Deane on Should we have an environmental levy on meat and milk in Ireland? 

On June 5th-8th Prof Ó Gallachóir and other members of the UCC-MaREI Energy Policy and Modelling Group hosted 8 researchers from Vietnam. This was the second project meeting as part of the Irish Aid VIBE program, helping Vietnam to build energy modelling capacity.

Dr Paul Oquist, Nicaraguan Minister for National Policies & Chair of UNFCCC Green Climate Funds visits UCC to discuss global green climate fund with MaREI and School of Engineering’s Energy Systems Modelling team. 

The new Dreamliner from Boeing is an incredible feat of engineering and is one of the most fuel efficient long-haul aircraft. 

UCC School of Engineering and MAREI’s Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir will give a keynote address to the Bioenergy Future Conference February 26 2020 in Croke Park.

(L-R) Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir, UCC School of Engineering, Aoife MacEvilly, Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Prof. Alan Barrett, ESRI Director, Dr. Valentin Bertsch, ESRI, Una Nic Giolla Choille, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Dr. John Curtis, ESRI  Director at launch of joint UCC-ESRI-MaREI Energy Research Workshop on National Energy and Climate Policy on May 17 2018.

Fiac Gaffney successfully defended his PhD in Energy Engineering on Analysing Evolutionary Pathways for the European Power System resulting from Climate Mitigation Policy, funded by MaREI and Bord Gais.

Dr Paul Deane, research fellow at the MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy and the Environmental Research Institute, has been awarded the title of Engineering and Computer Science Speaker 2018 by the Royal Irish Academy.

Congratulations to MaREI funded Energy Engineering PhD graduates Eamonn Mulholland (future of energy in transport),  Amita Jacob (gaseous algal biofuels) and Richard O’Shea (pathways to renewable gas industry) with Prof. Jerry Murphy and Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir. We wish you all the best in the future. 

Buying an electric vehicle (EV) last September was a meteoric change in my driving experience and I don’t think I will ever own a fossil fuel car again. The positives far outweigh the negatives. My new electric Volkswagon eGolf outperforms my old 2 litre turbo-diesel Golf across all fronts; acceleration, speed, equipment, connectivity and comfort. Winter floods and snow were not even a problem.

The recent dramatic deterioration in UK-Russian diplomatic relations has refocussed attention on Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. Russia is the largest supplier of coal, oil, and gas to the EU. While the expulsion of Russian diplomats across Europe exposes an uneasy political relationship with Moscow, is there reason to be concerned about an interruption in gas supply from Russia?

The Irish Government has recently published a revised set of national research priorities. This has resulted in replacement of “Marine Renewable Energy” and “Smart Grids and Smart Cities” with “Decarbonising the Energy System” and “Sustainable Living”.

New book edited by School of Engineering’s Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir published by Springer on changes to energy systems and to policy to ensure we can meet the global ambition to limit global warming to well below 2°C. 

Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir presented on 'Energy infrastructure, market development and the Troubles'  at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC on March 14th contributing to St. Patrick's Day events in the USA.

UCC's new Beaufort Building housing state of the art marine renewable energy research facilities will be opened by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny as part of SeaFest 2015 in Cork Harbour.