A Waterford-based technology group is working on a pan-European project that could help make Ireland’s energy grid more efficient, particularly when it comes to the use of electric vehicles.
The Telecommunications Software and Systems Group (TSSG) is taking part in the €5 million Future Internet for Smart Energy (Finseny) project, which is working on “smart grids” for homes, buildings, industry and the transport infrastructure that integrates advanced technology into the distribution network, optimising the delivery of electricity.
Smarter energy systems not only manage energy sources more efficiently, they can also take account of new uses, such as electric vehicles. The TSSG, which is based in Waterford Institute of Technology, is working with the ESB and Intune Networks to develop a smart grid for Ireland.
“Smart grids are more intelligent, which makes them more efficient. We hope that our work will deliver a reduction in operating costs and will make new energy products and services, like electric vehicles, more accessible to consumers,” said chief technologist at TSSG Miguel Ponce de Leon.
Ireland has already set a target of having 10 per cent of all vehicles run on electricity by 2020 and has begun rolling out charging points nationwide.
