District Heating 101

District Heating 101

Urban decarbonisation relies on a critical shift from individual building retrofits to centralised infrastructure solutions. We explore how district heating transforms urban energy by centralising heat production and utilising local waste sources, providing a secure and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel boilers. David Connolly, CEO of HeatGrid Ireland and Chairperson of the Irish District Energy Association, joins us to break down how to scale this technology. David brings deep expertise from his time in Denmark and his leadership in national energy planning projects, helping us understand the practical path forward for Ireland. Things We Spoke About Defining district heating systems History of European adoption Energy security and stability Barriers to Irish implementation Future of heating systems GUEST DETAILS David Connolly is the CEO of HeatGrid Ireland, a company developing low-carbon district heating networks.  He is also the Chairperson of the Irish District Energy Association, which he co-founded in 2017. A former Associate Professor at Aalborg University, he led the Heat Roadmap Europe project and previously served as CEO of Wind Energy Ireland. MORE INFORMATION About The Energy Canvas Podcast The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions. Subscribe and Connect To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. Get In Touch Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics. This podcast is produced by DustPod.io, creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors. QUOTES Far more people have succeeded at putting pipes in the street than they have at retrofitting every single building in a city with an alternative low-carbon solution. - David Connolly If you imagine now you have a boiler heating an entire city, it is much easier to replace that boiler with a renewable energy source at one location to supply all the homes. - David Connolly Whenever there is a global shortage or crisis they do not feel this on their fuel prices because they do not use oil or gas to heat their homes any longer. - David Connolly KEYWORDS #DistrictHeating #EnergySecurity #UrbanDecarbonisation #EnergyInfrastructure #HeatGridIreland

Hydrokinetic Energy: Unlocking River Power

The shift towards a secure, decarbonised energy system demands highly predictable, local power sources to complement intermittent wind and solar generation. This need has brought new attention to overlooked renewable resources. Discover how free-flowing water can provide constant, reliable electricity through a decentralised system. The discussion covers GKinetic’s patented, slow-turning turbines, their key role in energy security, and the challenging regulatory hurdles facing this promising new technology. We are joined by Gary Brennan, Chief Technology Officer of GKinetic Energy, who is pioneering the development of turbine systems that harness clean, renewable energy from rivers and tidal flow. Things We Spoke About Hydrokinetic turbines use free-flowing water Floating turbine model and design adaptations Hydrokinetic energy provides predictable base load Patented slow-turning turbine system prevents fatigue Creating modular river energy communities GUEST DETAILS Gary Brennan is CTO at GKinetic Energy Ltd., a Limerick based developer of unique hydrokinetic water turbines that generate clean, reliable electricity from free-flowing water with no dams or diversion. Gary started his career in Architectural Technology, running his own company for 8 years before his interest in climate change, renewable energy systems and energy conservation led him to study Energy Systems & Mechanical Engineering. He leads the technical design & development of the company's low impact hydrokinetic turbine systems, manages regulatory consenting, and site resource assessment. The modular floating 2kW & 12kW units enable users to harness a reliable and steady source of clean baseload energy from rivers or tidal estuaries. Contact Gary:  Website: www.gkinetic.com Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gkinetic-energy-ltd/posts/?feedView=all MORE INFORMATION About The Energy Canvas Podcast The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions. Subscribe and Connect To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. Get In Touch Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics. Produced by DustPod.io for Celtic Dynamics This podcast is produced by DustPod.io, creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors. QUOTES Your generation is very local, but it's also very predictable. - Gary Brennan You can fairly accurately predict two days ahead what the flow on the river will be. - Gary Brennan We've done a lot of work and simplifying the technology so that there are less things to go wrong. - Gary Brennan KEYWORDS #HydrokineticEnergy #EnergySecurity #RenewablePower #BaseLoad #RiverTurbines

The Future of EU Energy

Geopolitical tensions, volatile costs, and increasing industrial pressure are profoundly reshaping Europe’s energy system, escalating the energy transition from a climate objective to a critical matter of security, competitiveness, and economic resilience. The core challenge facing the continent is reducing the structural dependency on imported fossil fuels, which remains an untenable risk. This episode dissects critical solutions, including mobilising massive investment, tackling policy uncertainty, and fixing key bottlenecks in grid infrastructure and industrial electrification. Joining us is Luke O Callaghan White, Programme Lead for EU energy policy at E3G, an independent climate think tank. Luke works on unlocking the political and policy solutions necessary to accelerate Europe's clean energy future, drawing on extensive experience as a researcher and policy advisor in the energy sector. Things We Spoke About Deep decarbonisation is key for Europe Global shocks create universal exposure Solution is reducing fossil fuel dependency Investment and grid infrastructure needs Revise tax on electricity, ease grid congestion GUEST DETAILS Luke O Callaghan White is Programme Lead for EU energy policy at E3G, an independent climate think tank. His work focuses on unlocking the political and policy solutions necessary to accelerate the European clean energy transition. He has extensive experience working as a researcher and policy advisor in the energy sector MORE INFORMATION About The Energy Canvas Podcast The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions. Subscribe and Connect To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. Get In Touch Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics. Produced by DustPod.io for Celtic Dynamics This podcast is produced by DustPod.io, creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors. QUOTES We need Europe to show that it can do deep decarbonisation, both for its own trajectory, but also as a signal to other economies in other parts of the world. - Luke O Callaghan White The solution has to be reducing the structural dependency on gas, on oil, on fossil import, which is inherently risky and it's, I think, being proven.  -  Luke O Callaghan White We will be much more resilient if we can deploy European renewables, flexibility and efficiency solutions and have a highly electrified economy. - Luke O Callaghan White KEYWORDS #EnergySecurity #GridInfrastructure #IndustrialElectrification #EUPolicy #FossilDependency

Energy Storage: Ireland's Game Changer

The growth of wind and solar power presents an urgent challenge: how to effectively manage and store renewable electricity when the system needs it most. Without bulk storage, Ireland risks relying on volatile imported gas and losing valuable clean electricity when generation is high. This episode dives into the technologies and policies changing this landscape, exploring everything from lithium ion batteries to long duration storage solutions like iron-air technology. We discuss market structures, financing hurdles, and the major role storage plays in driving energy independence and reducing consumer costs. Joining host Dylan Walsh is Bobby Smith, the Director of Energy Storage Ireland. Bobby represents energy storage interests across Ireland and Northern Ireland and is an expert in grid policy and market development. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT: - Energy storage defined for Ireland. - Lithium ion batteries dominate storage. - New long duration technologies emerging. - Ireland's energy market policy history. - Storage needed to reduce renewable waste. GUEST DETAILS: Bobby Smith is Director of Energy Storage Ireland, a representative body for the energy storage industry in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Since 2019, Bobby has worked with ESI members and policy makers to promote the development of energy storage on the island.  In previous roles, Bobby worked as Grid Manager in Wind Energy Ireland and as an analyst in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities where he was involved in areas such as electricity networks policy, security of supply and the development of the DS3 ancillary services market arrangements. MORE INFORMATION: About The Energy Canvas Podcast The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions. Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics. Produced by DustPod.io for Celtic Dynamics QUOTES I often describe energy storage as like a game changer, because traditionally, we haven't been able to store electricity. - Bobby Smith Batteries are very good at providing that, because a battery... if it has a charge, it can respond in milliseconds to one of these system issues. - Bobby Smith So the batteries were able to sort of enter the energy market over that Christmas period and resolve some of the issues, because they were able to supply energy into the market at those peak times. - Bobby Smith KEYWORDS #EnergyStorage #IrishEnergy #BatteryTechnology #GridStability #EnergyTransition

Climate Change Business Response Today

Climate impacts no longer wait for future generations. Floods devastate Pakistan. Wildfires consume California. Temperatures shatter records globally. Meanwhile businesses face supply chain disruptions today not tomorrow. This episode explores how mainstream multinationals respond to climate biodiversity and inequality challenges. We examine regenerative agriculture at scale. Risk management beyond carbon tunnel vision. Why ambitious action creates competitive advantage. Where progress stalls despite mounting evidence. Zoe Le Grand is Managing Director UK and Europe at Forum for the Future. She advises multinationals including Nestle Unilever and Walmart on ambitious sustainability transformation. Fifteen years experience designing strategy processes using futures techniques and systems thinking. Things We Spoke About Climate impacts accelerating globally today  Business case trumps moral arguments  Regenerative agriculture mainstream adoption momentum  Green hushing threatens industry transparency  System change requires sphere influence GUEST DETAILS Zoe Le Grand leads UK and Europe operations at Forum for the Future whilst sharing strategic and operational responsibility as Senior Leadership Team member. Over fifteen years she advised over forty organisations including Unilever Kingfisher and Nestle delivering ambitious sustainability approaches.  She co-founded the Net Positive Project with BSR SHINE AT&T Target and Dell devising thought leadership and practical tools helping companies deliver net positive strategies. Career began in housing policy and sustainable buildings within built environment sector. MORE INFORMATION About The Energy Canvas Podcast The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions. Subscribe and Connect To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. Get In Touch Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics. Produced by DustPod.io for Celtic Dynamics creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors. QUOTES It doesn't feel like it's a niche eco brand kind of issue anymore. I work with multinationals, really mainstream brands. They're talking about risks to their value chains. -  Zoe Le Grand What businesses get wrong is they'll assume that the context will remain stable, and what they're planning for is what their response should be. Whereas actually what we're seeing is the context is likely to be wildly different and moving at a really fast pace. - Zoe Le Grand I would always advise companies to look at the issues which are most material to them. It's those issues which either you're going to impact or where are your supply chains in the world, what kind of risks are they facing, and where can you impact on some of these issues the most as well. - Zoe Le Grand KEYWORDS #ClimateRisk #RegenerativeAgriculture #SystemChange #BusinessSustainability #JustTransition