PARTNER PROFILE ESB NETWORKS
Innovating for a
Low
A clean, reliable and cost-effective electricity network has a crucial role to play in ensuring Ireland’s low carbon future, while simultaneously facilitating the growing economy. ESB Networks has developed a detailed innovation strategy to make sure that this becomes a reality.
Carbon FUTURE
ESB Networks
owns and operates all of the electricity distribution system in Ireland. It is its responsibility to ensure that the electricity network is designed, built and operated in a way that facilitates the national and European aspirations of decarbonisation of the energy industry. These aspirations are becoming clearer through emerging European energy legislation – the Clean Energy Package and the National Mitigation Plan that was launched in July 2017. This plan clearly states the Irish Government’s belief that a growing economy and increased foreign direct investment rely heavily on a secure and stable electricity network.
INNOVATION STRATEGY To ensure that the changing needs of the environment, government and citizens are met ESB Networks has developed a detailed innovation strategy setting out the direction of the electricity system into the future and the plans that are being developed to meet these challenges. ESB Networks is working to ensure that Ireland has a reliable and efficient energy network, to allow its 2.3 million customers to participate in the move to a low carbon Ireland and contribute to a more sustainable energy system. ESB Networks’ Operations This innovation Management System strategy puts Ireland 50
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at the forefront of countries ready to benefit from these positive technological developments. The strategy sets out how we will meet the challenges of the changing energy landscape, deploying new technology, engineering, and innovation tools to facilitate the transition to a low carbon future. ESB Networks has already developed one of the world’s most progressive electricity networks and facilitates changes to how Ireland’s electricity is produced and consumed. The innovation strategy charts out the route for how ESB Networks will be transformed by 2030, giving customers better service, fewer outages and a more responsive energy network. By 2030, ESB Networks will have an electricity system that supports: • Up to 300,000 electric vehicles on our roads • 2.3 million smart meters in homes and businesses • 330,000 homes that are equipped with e-heat capacity • 5,800 MW of wind-based generation InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2018
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