THE SHANNON region is aiming to become a major green energy hub as part of a partnership between universities, technology firms and State development bodies.
The organisers behind the Shannon Energy Valley project say it has the potential to create a national hub for energy research and development, which in turn could attract international investment and generate highly skilled employment.
The initiative will involve the University of Limerick, NUI Galway, Shannon Development and the Irish Technology Leadership Group based in Silicon Valley.
The four concerns have signed a memorandum of understanding which commits them to delivering an innovation hub that will harness the natural resources of the region, as well as research and development expertise at the two universities.
Prof Brian Fitzgerald, vice-president of research at UL, said the project was the first step on the road towards energy self-sufficiency for Ireland. “Ireland is surrounded by natural resources in the form of wind, wave, tidal, solar and local geothermal energy,” he said, at the launch of the initiative at a conference in California. “This is a major opportunity for Ireland to become a leader in energy research, while maximising our resources and in turn creating sustainable green collar jobs.”
The main research partners, NUI Galway and UL, plan to combine their research efforts and provide a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the sector. NUI Galway already has courses in energy systems engineering, while the first students at a new energy programme are due to graduate from UL in 2013.
The initiative also aims to support the development of wind, wave/tidal, biomass, solar and geothermal generation facilities.
Another project is the development of an energy and environment park which will host “demonstrator projects” in the area of renewable energy. This, organisers say, will showcase projects to the public and business community.
John Hartnett, founder of the Irish Technology Leadership Group and chief executive of a Silicon Valley-based solar energy firm, said the initiative would put Ireland in an optimum position to become a leading innovator and developer of clean technologies.
For further information, visit www.shannonenergyvalley.com
