Recently in Renewables Category
With the news today that AOL is to hire another 20 software engineers (They hired 50 in June) and the fact that Amazon are looking for Java developers, I am still surprised that the interest in software development and ICT at a national level is still quiet muted. In a economy with rising unemployment students should consider a rewarding and challenging career with good prospects in software development. This includes a myriad of domains such as enterprise, sustainable energy, embedded systems etc.
Another multinational that is hiring is Google. At the moment they are looking for C, C++, Python, Perl, Java Experts in Dublin. They also recently announced they are going to create 200 new jobs at a new operations centre.
The new B.Sc (Honours) in Computing (Smart Sustainable Energy) degree focuses on developing and designing innovative sustainable energy technology that solves energy problems. This innovative programme is essential in supporting the development of Ireland's smart green economy. This programme addresses the requirement for a low carbon high-tech economy with the potential to create 80,000 jobs over the next decade as identified by the Green Enterprise Group in Dec 2009. The course is unique in Ireland and is built upon Tipperary Institute's expertise in the sustainable energy sector. The course will commence in September 2010 and students can apply through the CAO, the course code is TI020 for level 7 and TI004 for level 7.
These graduates will focus on the design and implementation of new innovative systems which integrate technology with sustainable energy sources. Careers in this area include the following sectors:
- Energy Management Systems
- Electric car charging systems
- Building Management Systems
- Automated energy controls for Industrial buildings
- Mobile communication solutions for energy systems
I am experimenting with a Maxim iButton with a view to incorporating the device into our new computing degree in Smart Sustainable Energy Curriculum in Tipperary Institute.
"The iButton is a computer chip enclosed in a 16mm thick stainless steel can. Because of this unique and durable container, up-to-date information can travel with a person or object anywhere they go. The steel iButton can be mounted virtually anywhere because it is rugged enough to withstand harsh environments, indoors or outdoors. It is small and portable enough to attach to a key fob, ring, watch, or other personal items, and be used daily for applications such as access control to buildings and computers, asset management, and various data logging tasks."
The unit is the size of a watch battery and slightly bigger as you can see above it is smaller than a 20 cent coin.
Application development is supported through Java APIs and a number of other options.
There are four components fundamental to any iButton application:
- iButtons
- A host system: this can be a PC, a laptop, a handheld computer, or an embedded system.
- A reader/writer device to get information into and out of the button. This can be the Blue Dot, a pen-style probe, or a handheld device.
- A layer of software to interface iButtons to computers and produce the desired information in the desired format. Several software development kits (SDKs) are downloadable from this site at no charge. For a list of SDKs and links to download, see this page. We also offer 1-Wire Drivers for Microsoft platforms, along with the OneWireViewer, a demo application that can read/write/exercise any iButton.
Houston Neal at electrical estimating software advice has a great article about the potential work out there in America for electricians who can provide technology to assist in the reduction of energy for homes and businesses.The article cites several sources which highlight the growing demand for green retrofit. This is evidenced in Ireland through the SEAI Home Energy Saving Scheme
Houston identifies 5 key areas which are:
- Relamping - replacing standard lighting with energy efficient lighting
- Daylight harvesting - using technology to reduce the use of electrical lights
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Retrofits
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems and Wind Turbines - Grid ties etc
- Energy Management Systems and Monitoring Devices - Which is of particular interest to us in Tipperary Institute as it focused on the convergence of technology and sustainable energy management
Full article can be found here
Constructech.com reports that a smart home is more attractive to buyers, who are looking for value add services being integrated into their prospective purchase.
In this tight economy builders of new homes will need their properties to stand out, this akin to buying the car and getting air con, sat nav and cruise control thrown in for the same price.
Students in Tipperary Institutes new Computing degree in Smart Sustainable Energy will study this convergence, the associated technologies and develop their own unique solutions
On the 16th April 2009: the ESB announced a series of initiatives to create and sustain up to 6,000 jobs and training opportunities in the economy. Up to 3,700 new jobs will be created outside the company in Ireland, supporting the delivery of ESB's ambitious strategic framework in the following areas:
• Smart networks
• Smart metering
• Electric vehicles
• Wind energy
• Property construction
• New technologies (Eco Fund)
• Energy service (home insulation)
• Others (Telecoms, Biomass, Green Fleet)
In addition, ESB will sustain a further 1300 jobs, also outside the company, by its commitment to the ambitious ongoing investment programme in the company's power generation and networks infrastructure.
This major initiative highlights the requirement for graduates who can design and develop applications that can integrate with sustainable technologies.
Tipperary Institute has launched their new B.Sc (Honours) in Computing (Smart Sustainable Energy) degree, which focuses on developing and designing innovative sustainable energy technology that solves energy problems. The course is unique in Ireland and is built upon Tipperary Institute's expertise in the sustainable energy sector. The course will commence in September 2010 and students can apply through the CAO.
For more information visit the Tipperary Institute website http://www.tippinst.ie/ or contact Dr Liam Noonan in the ICT Dept at 0504 28000
Environmental regulations and policies as well as the increased awareness of reducing green house gases and preserving natural resources have led to the rapid increase in the demand for technical solutions that will measure, control and reduce energy utilisation as well as measure and condition the indoor environment.
The National Development Plan 2007-2013 and the current Programme for Government have each identified Ireland's future energy needs as a national priority. Additionally, the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013 listed energy as a research priority and proposed the establishment of a National Energy Council. Most recently, new Building Regulations for have been published, which includes a mandatory minimum renewable energy requirement. This is the first step to ensuring that the management, measurement and control of energy comes part of our every day lives.
The emphasis on energy in the Government White Paper and National Development Plan indicates a long-term demand for expertise in technology that integrates with sustainable energy systems. This mirrors an increase in career opportunity globally, where a cumulative investment of $20 trillion is estimated by the International Energy Agency as being required in the period 2005 - 2030.
The importance of integrated technologies and how they can assist in the reduction of energy consumption has been identified by the 2009 EUROSTAT report Data Collection Handbook on Environmental Goods and Services Sector (ENV/EXP/WG/07 2009). This finding is backed by the report of the High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise. Chairperson of the Group, Mr. Joe Harford, stated "I see a need for Ireland to be able to respond quickly and flexibly to capture new opportunities. Implementation of this Report is essential in order to maximise the potential for Ireland in the green enterprise sector. We need to gain a significant foothold and a competitive advantage in the short term as competition for investment and ideas in this sector is growing across the globe".
Not surprisingly, a proliferation of energy related industries has grown to meet the resulting market demand for efficient heating and electrical generation systems based on sustainable sources. However, if Ireland is really to progress on energy issues, it needs many more graduates trained specifically in development of applications to control and monitor energy usage and generation for industrial, commercial and domestic buildings.
There is a requirement for graduates who will focus on the design and implementation of new innovative systems which integrate technology with sustainable energy sources. Careers in this area include the following sectors:
- Energy Management Systems
- Electric car charging systems
- Building Management Systems
- Automated energy controls for Industrial buildings
- Mobile communication solutions for energy systems
Tipperary Institute has launched their new B.Sc (Honours) in Computing (Smart Sustainable Energy) degree, which focuses on developing and designing innovative sustainable energy technology that solves energy problems. The course is unique in Ireland and is built upon Tipperary Institute's expertise in the sustainable energy sector. The course will commence in September 2010 and students can apply through the CAO.
For more information visit the Tipperary Institute website http://www.tippinst.ie/
This programme is a response to take advantage of the exciting opportunities (Internationally and Nationally) that exist to maximise energy efficiency and renewable energy through the use of software and IT applications.
Tipperary Institute's expertise in sustainability with projects such as SERVE and Cloughjordan eco village providing us with the practical considerations and theoretical knowledge that will be required of graduates.
Joseph Little from Joseph Little Architects & Building Life. Consultancy Author of "Breaking the Mould" gave an interesting talk at the Server Project and Conference http://www.servecommunity.ie
Internal wall insulation is tricky and must be done properly
Strip gypsum plaster back and remove plaster, ensure there are no rising damp issue
He recommends External wall insulation as a more preferable solution and raised the point that External wall installers require training and certification while internal insulation wall installer only require a C2 tax clearance certification.
External insulation has the less vapour permeable material on the inside, the building physics reinforces and helps the installation and means that the external solution is less susceptible to problems.
He presented some interesting maps and stats as to when internal and cavity fill insulation should be used, which is dependent on driving rain conditions and location.
He maintains there is a significant lack of guidance to standards and install.
He used WUFI Pro Hygrothermal simulation. It conforms to IS EN 15026 and insulation providers need to refer to this standard and not the Glaser method.
The existing Glaser method isn't suitable for internal insulation under IS EN 13788. We need a move towards WUFI.
We are experiencing a cold prolonged winter spell that reaches back as far as 1963 from a historical record beating point of view, As you can see above the weather station recorded lows of -9.6 degrees Celsius. When the wind chill was factored in this brought it down to -13.2 Celsius. Several of my neighbours have no water due to frozen pipes, we are fortunate that our have not frozen yet.
The 45 cm of insulation in the rafters and the 10 cm under the pitch of the roof as well as the filled cavity are doing their part to reduced the chilling effects. There is no easy fix for the state of the roads.
The data can the be uploaded to a website and your wind data can be utilised to assess how much energy you could potentially generate with various wind turbines
