Interreg Networks and Initiatives

STREAM (Sensor Technologies for Remote Environmental Aquatic Monitoring)

The STREAM (Sensor Technologies for Remote Environmental Aquatic Monitoring) project will bring together partners on both sides of the Irish Sea to better understand the impact of climate change; lower the cost of marine observation and accelerate the process of data provision.

STREAM will develop sensors capable of providing real-time environmental data through web portals, mobile applications and mass-produced sensors for organisations responsible for protecting and improving Welsh and Irish waters. Data collected will be shared locally to keep coastal communities informed about the local impacts of climate change.

The STREAM project is led by SETU Waterford and is in conjunction with Swansea University and Cork Institute of Technology, funded by the Ireland Wales Programme 2014-2020. For more information visit: https://irelandwales.eu/projects/stream-sensor-technologies-remote-environmental-aquatic-monitoring

piSCES - The Smart Cluster Energy System for the fish processing industry

This Smart Cluster Energy System (piSCES) project supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme will investigate how smart grid technologies will ultimately reduce the costs and carbon footprint of Energy Networks in the fish processing industry. SETU Waterford are the lead in the project through its ICT research division TSSG and Cardiff University (CU) plan to research, design and develop microgrid networks in conjunction with production centres in Ireland and in Wales. The implementation partners, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) in Ireland and the Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) in Wales, will work with fish processors and related industry to provide live data and test sites.

The piSCES operation objectives include:

• To model and implement a microgrid on a single high energy site in both Ireland and Wales to examine and improve the efficiency by availing of smart grid technologies and in doing so, encourage the take up of new products and processes by partners and associated SMEs across both regions;
• Compare and contrast the outputs in relation to the energy markets, economic returns and local legislative conditions thereby promoting the exchange and transfer of knowledge via cross-border research collaboration between SMEs and HEIs;
• To realise the inherent flexible capacity within these networks and to leverage this asset to realise economic returns for participating partners and the region including the possibility of additional investments;
• To investigate future trends in relation to EU directives, which aim to remove obstacles in the energy market, through linking and leveraging a sites dispersed network and aggregating them into a microgrid, resulting in wider economic impacts within the sector and internationally;
• To investigate a model integrating renewable energy technologies into these networks resulting in take-up of new products and processes by SMEs.

For more information on this project, please visit: http://pisces-smartenergy.eu/

Portalis is a pilot project exploring the earliest connection between Ireland and Wales, dating back to the Early Mesolithic period, (Middle Stone Age), known for its greater innovation and diversity.  We do this by consolidating existing evidence with new data through the development of a powerful new cross-border narrative, accessible within a new visitor experience at Waterford Museum of Treasures (Ireland) and Ceredigion Museum (Wales). This maps the story of the first journey in the context of contemporary resilience and climate adaptation for both local coastal communities and their visitors.

We use a range of different techniques including drilled core sampling, excavation, lab analysis, citizen archaeology, visitor experience design including film and virtual reality, App design including a 3D online exhibition. Portalis supports citizen led co-development of community and business engagement and long term sustainability, resulting in the establishment of two new cross-border experiential tourism and cultural networks.

Portalis is a design led transdisciplinary pilot project, supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation Programme,  The project is led by Waterford Institute of Technology and is supported by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Ceredigion County Council and Waterford Chamber of Commerce.

The Ireland Wales 2014-2020 European Territorial Co-operation (ETC) programme is a maritime programme connecting businesses and communities on the West coast of Wales with the South-East coast of Ireland. The programme focuses on seeking solutions to shared challenges including adaption of the Irish Sea and coastal communities to climate change, and cultural and natural resources and heritage.