Energy Cloud partner with Ulster University and SPIRE 2- RULET (Rural Led Energy Transition) initiative to create solutions to reduce the environmental, social and economic impact of energy waste.
Download the full case study with graphics (PDF format)
The Challenge
The Research
Energy Cloud proposes an alternative to this. At times when EirGrid would otherwise need to reduce wind generation across the country or in a particular location for these power system security reasons, Energy Cloud proposes that a signal is sent to social housing homes across the country, or in a particular location, to turn on their heating systems.
This will create additional electricity demand across the country, or in a particular location, and the power system will be able to increase the amount of wind generation being used as a result and reduce, or eliminate, the need to dispatch down wind farms.
Energy Cloud exists first and foremost to reduce the environmental, social and economic impact of energy waste. They do this by redistributing surplus energy from wind and solar renewable generators to fuel poverty citizens via partnerships between Local Authorities, housing associations & charity partners.
Solutions focus on using surplus energy as a tool to increase social inclusion. Energy Cloud inspires others through actions that have measurable outputs. They develop innovative and practical solutions that can be activated at a small scale in communities but scaled nationally and globally. Energy Cloud is a social enterprise and aim to create solutions that are financially sustainable.
The Concept
The Impact
- A very positive Corporate Social Responsibility story showing how the company’s wind farms have powered several thousand social houses across Ireland and reduced/eliminated fuel poverty for thousands of families.
- There will be a clear connection drawn between wind energy generation and free electricity powering the social housing. This will result in thousands of new supporters and advocates for wind energy right across Ireland. Communities in areas of the country where wind energy will be developed over the next decade can be told that the new wind energy will help to power homes in fuel poverty for free in the area.
- Increasing the energy output of wind farms across the country will help to further reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions, increase Ireland’s renewable electricity output, and lower the wholesale price of electricity for the entire country further.