Ireland Retrofit Challenge Climate Tech

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

Biodiversity: Essential for Sustainability

Ireland's journey towards a sustainable future is impossible without addressing the catastrophic decline in biodiversity, which underpins our very existence and economy. We must stop treating nature as a remote ecological issue. This episode explores how nature acts as our critical life support system from producing food and clean water to mitigating climate change through natural systems like bogs. We look at the misconceptions surrounding biodiversity, the tangible risks for businesses, and what practical, non-tokenistic actions can be taken today, especially for Ireland's endangered wild bee species. Joining host Dylan Walsh is Professor Jane Stout, a leading expert on pollinators and ecology. Jane is a co-founder of both Nature Capital Ireland and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, two initiatives that have transformed Ireland’s approach to protecting nature. Things We Spoke About Biodiversity is fundamental life support system Misconceptions: Nature is not material Biodiversity loss risks Irish agriculture Thinking about risks and opportunities Pollinators: One third of bees at risk GUEST DETAILS Professor Jane Stout is the Vice President for Biodiversity and Climate Action and Professor of Ecology at the School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin. Her expertise covers biodiversity and ecosystem services, natural capital, and pollination ecology. She is a co-founder and deputy chair of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and a co-founder and former Chair of the Board of Directors for Natural Capital 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 So, you know, we can't become sustainable long term in Ireland or anywhere without looking after biodiversity. - Professor Jane Stout The risks and opportunities for businesses are linked very much to finances. Biodiversity loss is a part of that financial risk. Biodiversity is not simply something that is ‘nice to have’. - Professor Jane Stout  As a university, the biggest thing we can do is integrate biodiversity into our teaching and our research and create a generation of graduates that are ready for the workforce. - Professor Jane Stout  KEYWORDS Biodiversity, climate change, natural systems, pollinators, ecology, nature capital, Ireland, sustainability

Ireland Retrofit Challenge Climate Tech

Ireland's retrofit challenge demands innovative solutions combining strategic planning, robust data management, and community-level support to achieve decarbonisation targets.  Xavier Dubuisson is the RetroKit founder with 30 years sustainable energy experience across Europe. He explains how climate tech platform uses BER data and duration certificates assessing housing performance whilst modelling upgrade scenarios calculating investment costs for financial planning. He talks about why moving to Ireland in 2001 provided transformative opportunities developing renewable energy policies including Greener Homes Scheme and House of Tomorrow programme, and current barriers including affordability constraints, supply chain gaps, and political climate shifts threatening progress despite catastrophic climate change impacts already visible requiring maintained ambition and action. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT * RetroKit platform BER data strategic planning * Ireland career move transformative policy development * Climate change urgency maintaining political ambition * Social housing sector holistic quality design * Community grassroots advisory trusted voice support GUEST DETAILS Xavier Dubuisson is CEO of RetroKit, an energy engineer bringing more than 25 years of sustainable energy experience in Ireland and Belgium. He moved to Ireland in 2001 to work with SEAI at their Renewable Energy Information Office and has been deeply involved in driving the energy transition ever since. His mission is to scale up and digitise the retrofitting process across Ireland and the EU through strong passion for innovation towards energy and climate goals, sharing experience gained over years through development of digital tools. MORE INFORMATION 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. 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. 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 In the context of climate change, it's already here. Give us another 10, 20, years, it's going to be catastrophic. Really. We can't delay action, you know, and we can't reduce ambitions in that regard.- Xavier Dubuisson I realised there was very little tools for energy efficiency. Modelling for renewable energy technology is well established but for energy efficiency at the time there was very little or nothing. - Xavier Dubuisson We're not hitting the target of 50,000 homes for deep energy retrofits. Key constraints are cost. Not many people can afford it. Funding helps but affordability is a critical factor. - Xavier Dubuisson KEYWORDS #ClimateChange #EnergySolutions RetrofitChallenge #SustainableEnergy #Decarbonisation #EnergyEfficiency