Energy Awards finalists include NZEB & retrofit projects

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The annual awards recognise and reward excellence in sustainable energy in business, communities, research, buildings, renewables and the public sector. Twenty-four applicants across eight categories have been shortlisted, with the winners to be selected by a VIP judging panel in the coming weeks. Winners will be named at the awards ceremony in mid-October.

The finalists were chosen for their innovative sustainable energy solutions and for inspiring energy action among colleagues and peers.

The Cosgrave Group, ESB and SSE Airtricity Energy Services are finalists in the Energy in Buildings category.

The Cosgrave Group has built an impressive energy efficient development consisting of 251 A2 rated apartments in Santry, Dublin. The homes at Bridgefield and Pappan Grove include renewable heating, heat recovery ventilation systems, airtight and thermally broken building details, and a district heating system that includes combined heat and power units and heat pumps.

ESB Engineering & Major Projects is a finalist for the ESB Archives facility on St Margaret’s Road, Finglas, which SEAI said combined the highest level of energy efficiency with meeting strict functional performance criteria as an archive facility.

SEAI also praised SSE Airtricity Energy Services’ Moyola Court retrofit project as helping to bring old inefficient properties owned by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council back to life.

Fergus Sharkey, head of business and public sector with SEAI said: “Each year we are blown away by the quality of entries to the SEAI Energy Awards and this year has proved no different. We received 125 entries from businesses, communities, and organisations across the country who are leading the charge, reshaping our communities and businesses, and inspiring each and every one of us through their action.”

John Sisk & Sons will contest the headline Energy Manager of the Year award. Sisk Group energy manager, Ian O’Connor, has led the company to become the first construction company in Ireland to achieve certification to ISO 50001. The company is aiming to become zero carbon.

SOLA Energy Solutions is a finalist in the ‘Small and Medium Business – Exemplary Energy Management’ category. SOLA purchased a building in late 2018 to develop into offices and a showroom. They showcased how a small business can transform an old inefficient building to become A-rated through implementing energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies.

Other finalists include:

• 1 Energy Team / Manager of the Year: Astellas Ireland Kerry Plant and Johnson & Johnson
• 2 Large Business: Danone Wexford, Wyeth Nutritionals, and Boston Scientific
• 3 Small and Medium Business: Finian O’Harte Poultry and Terra Spirits & Liqueurs
• 4 Public Sector: Dublin City Council, NUI Galway and Ervia Business Services
• 5 Inspirational Energy Community: Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha CTR, Dunleer Sustainable Energy Community and Leitrim Cróga (Ballinaglera SEC)
• 6 Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy: Aurivo Consumer Foods, Green Generation and Energia
• 7 Excellence in Energy Research and Innovation: NUI Galway, Glasport Bio and International Energy Research Centre (IERC).