WIT and National Ambulance Service among the award‐winning energy efficient organisations, entrants delivered combined energy savings of over €27 million
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) announced the winners of its Sustainable Energy Awards at a gala event on the 9th of November 2017 which saw South East Technological University (WIT) take away the top prize for Energy Team of the Year.
The Awards reward excellence in energy management in businesses, communities and public sector organisations. SETU impressed judges with its organisation wide approach to saving energy, with staffand students working together it has surpassed its 33% energy efficiency target and is saving an impressive €300,000 per year on energy bills.
Commenting on the Awards, Jim Gannon, Chief Executive of SEAI, said: “The SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards are all about showcasing the excellent work that is happening around the country as businesses, communities and public bodies push the boundaries in energy efficiency and the switch to clean energy. This is especially the case where climate change is at the forefront of the news agenda, particularly as countries gather for climate talks at COP23 in Bonn right now. The 120 entrants to the Awards are playing their part and I commend the winners on their outstanding achievements in saving energy.”
Speaking on their Energy Team Award win, Elaine Greenan, Estates Manager from SETU said:“We are truly delighted to win this Sustainable Energy Award. This acknowledges the dedication and commitment from both staff and students who have worked tirelessly for the last number of years to make our campus a better place to work and study. In addition to the significant savings that we’re achieving, we’re extremely proud that we have surpassed our 33% energy efficiency target and can be considered a green campus.”
This is the 14th year of the SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards and entrants to the eight categories demonstrated savings of over €27 million. Other winners on the night included Dairygold in the Large Business Energy Management category. The company completed seven significant energy management projects in the past 18 months delivering annual savings of €300,000. The National Ambulance Service won the Public Sector Award for reducing fuel use and emissions from a combination of driver behaviour change, an eco‐anti‐idle system and built in solar chargers.
New to the Awards this year, was a €10,000 bursary for the winner of the Research category. Exergyn picked up this prize for its research on the development of a zero emissions engine that converts low grade heat into power. The funding will go towards the next stages of research for the company as it tests the longevity of different materials for its engine.
Other winners of the Awards included; Energy Communities Tipperary Co‐Op for the Community Award, M50 Concession Ltd for the Small Business Award, Astellas Kerry for the Large Business Energy Project Award, and Durkan Residential for the Energy in Design Award.
For full details on all winning projects, visit [url=http://www.seai.ie]http://www.seai.ie[/url]