FuturEnergy Ireland has announced a partnership with EnergyCloud and Clare County Council on a pilot project that will use surplus renewable electricity to provide free hot water for social housing tenants.
Fully funded by FuturEnergy Ireland, the initiative will see the installation of EnergyCloud smart devices in 40 homes managed by the council in Broadford and Scarriff, close to the Carrownagowan Wind Farm site.
The smart devices fitted in homes activate immersion heaters during periods when excess renewable electricity is available on the national grid, enabling tenants to benefit from free hot water.
EnergyCloud is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation whose vision is to end energy poverty. On average, surplus renewable energy occurs one in three nights, which means that homes equipped with EnergyCloud devices receive a free tank hot water on these occasions.
The renewable energy developer FuturEnergy Ireland identified the area close to the Carrownagowan Wind Farm site for support as part of its commitment to ensuring that local communities experience practical benefits from Ireland’s transition to renewable energy.
Councillor Joe Killeen, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said: “This partnership shows how local government, a community-focused organisation and the renewable energy sector can work together to deliver practical benefits. By using surplus renewable electricity, this pilot programme will help tenants reduce household costs while supporting Ireland’s transition to cleaner energy. I look forward to seeing its impact for participating households in County Clare.”
Mary Lynch, Delivery Director at FuturEnergy Ireland, said: “FuturEnergy Ireland is proud to support this EnergyCloud initiative, which will help participating households near Carrownagowan Wind Farm reduce their energy bills in time for winter and its colder conditions. We look forward to seeing its positive impact and exploring opportunities to support similar projects in the future.”
Alan Wyley, EnergyCloud CEO, said: “EnergyCloud are delighted to work with Clare County Council and FuturEnergy Ireland on this initiative, demonstrating how it is possible to use waste to help those in energy poverty.”
Alan Farrell, Clare County Council Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Housing Delivery, Infrastructure Provision and Land Activation, added: “The EnergyCloud initiative aligns strongly with our objective of improving the quality of life for our tenants. The potential savings, and access to hot water, can make a meaningful difference for participating households. We will closely monitor this pilot’s outcome with a view to wider rollout across the county.”
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(L-R) EnergyCloud CEO Alan Wyley, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Joe Killeen, Delivery Director at FuturEnergy Ireland, Mary Lynch and Chief Executive of Clare County Council Gordon Daly
Notes to the editor
About EnergyCloud
EnergyCloud Ireland’s mission is to end energy poverty. It will do this by turning potential into impact by demonstrating how surplus renewable energy can support households experiencing energy poverty. Through partnerships with Government, local authorities, approved housing bodies and energy partners, it delivers practical, demand – flexible solutions that provide immediate benefit, while also advocating for a fair and inclusive transition to a low -carbon energy system. For more information, visit www.energycloud.org/ireland
About FuturEnergy Ireland
FuturEnergy Ireland is an Irish wind developer established in 2021 as a standalone joint venture between Coillte and the ESB. The company was formed to maximise the potential of Ireland’s unique wind and land resources and accelerate Ireland’s transformation to a low carbon energy economy.
FuturEnergy Ireland is targeting the development of 1GW of renewable energy by 2030 by advancing high quality, carefully considered onshore wind and enabling battery storage projects. These projects, once delivered, would power an estimated 730,000 homes annually, make a significant contribution to Ireland’s commitment to produce 80% of electricity from renewable sources by the end of this decade, and deliver material emissions reductions.
