UCC to host energy forum

MORE than 200 delegates from a number of countries will attend a special three-day conference in UCC next week which will focus on Ireland’s future energy and transport needs.

National and international academics, consultants and alternative fuel vehicle manufacturers will present their papers on research and development at the Irish Transport Research Network (ITRN2011) conference from August 30-September 1.

The conference will run in conjunction with the inaugural meeting of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) Vehicular Technology Society (VTS) UK and Republic of Ireland Chapter.

Keynote speakers will include Hiroyuki Kaneko, International Energy Agency Transport division; Laura Burke, Environmental Protection Agency director; Peter Malone, chairman of the National Roads Authority; Professor Graham Currie, Monash University, Australia and UCC Professor Tony Lewis.

In addition, the programme will also feature a panel discussion at the gala dinner in UCC’s Aula Maxima on August 31.

Titled Transportation technology and the road to improved energy efficiency and emissions reduction, panellists will include Dr Ralph Griewing, head of Electromobility at Siemens worldwide; Mr Marvin Cooke, Toyota; Dr Mary Reidy, Mr David Twohig from Renault France’s research and development department.

* www.itrn.ie or http://www.vts-ukri.org/