Transition in Ireland

Ireland is one of the most advanced countries in energy transition, getting over a quarter of its electricity from renewables. It also has one of the most ambitious targets—to obtain 40% of its electricity generation from renewables by 2020—and the resources to be more than 100% powered by renewables, given time and technological development. On the flip side, it also has a severe dependence on imported fossil fuels, and relies on some of the dirtiest power plants in the world.

In this episode, we explore this curious mix of reality, ambition, and potential with the leader of Ireland’s Green Party, a bona fide energy wonk and a longtime supporter of energy transition. From Ireland’s domestic renewable resources to the tantalizing possibility of the North Seas Offshore Grid initiative, it’s all here.

Geek rating: 4

Guest: Eamon Ryan is the leader of Ireland’s Green Party; the former Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and is currently a member of the Communications, Climate and Energy committee in the Irish Parliament. He also currently works for E3G, a European climate organization, and chairs the digital policy group in the Institute of International and European Affairs.

On Twitter: @eamonryan

On the Web: Eamon Ryan’s website

Recording date: November 18, 2016

Air date: November 30, 2016

Links

Ireland Green Party

E3 – North Seas Grid

The Climate Gathering – Creative climate change conversations in Ireland

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)

“Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth – An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland,” Our Ocean Wealth. (Jul 2012)

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Liam Denning, “The Mysterious Case of Big Oil’s Disappearing Barrels,” Bloomberg. (Sep 30, 2016)

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FERC News Release, “FERC Proposes to Integrate Electricity Storage into Organized Markets” (Nov 17, 2016)

Danielle Ola, “Illinois’ Exelon energy bill could result in ‘largest rate hike in US history’,” PVTech. (Nov 16, 2016)

“Simulation brings global 100% renewable electricity system alive for the first time,” Phys.org. (Nov 3, 2016)

Photo credit: By liam murphy, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12932784M