UCC at helm of new Euro energy think-tank
The Insight_E project, which also involves experts from universities in London, Stockholm and elsewhere, will help advise the European Commission on developing issues within the energy sector.
UCC’s Energy Policy and Modelling Group is set to play a central role in advising the commission, particularly given developments in Ukraine and elsewhere which could have ramifications for energy supply.
The UCC group is led by Dr Brian O’Gallachoir and uses numerical models to provide evidence-based assistance for short-term and long-term energy and climate policy decisions.
UCC was invited into the consortium, where it will work alongside partners including the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, the University of Stuttgart and University College London for the next three years.
Dr Paul Deane, a senior researcher with the Energy Policy and Modelling Group, said the project would put UCC’s research to the forefront of European thinking on energy issues.
He said: “The impact of geopolitics, such as what is happening in Ukraine, could be a topic and its impact on security of gas supplies to the EU, in addition to other topics such as nuclear, shale gas, the impact of austerity on investment in energy, and the cost of renewables.
“The EU will come to us and we can also suggest topics to them. UCC will provide expertise in energy and policy modelling in most of the topics and work packages,” he said.
Much of the work will centre on four areas of sustainability: environmental, economic, social and institutional issues.
The UCC group has been engaged in energy policy and energy modelling research for the past 15 years and as part of its role in the new think-tank it will establish an energy observatory, allowing for greater interaction with stakeholders.
