AEE Ireland Conference 2024 Speakers
Alan Smyth
Astatine Ltd
Speaker Bio & Presentation Topic to follow...
Alan Walsh
Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Speaker Bio & Presentation Topic to follow...
Alexandra Hamilton
South East Energy Agency
The ambitious targets set in the Climate Action Plans for 2030, the pathway to reach Carbon neutrality by 2050, often raises many questions; Can we reach the targets? How can we reach the targets? What difference will it make and why should I make changes when China is burning so much Coal? This presentation will outline the progress needed across the South East of Ireland, and outline steps that every one of us can take to make a difference to reduce our Carbon Footprint.
Dr Ali Ekhtiari
Standardisation Expert
NSAI
Dr Ali Ekhtiari has an outstanding track record of research and industry experience in gas networks. His works mainly focus on decarbonising gas systems, considering the development of gas networks incorporating gas quality for an integrated energy system.
Ali, as a secondee from Gas Networks Ireland to the National Standards Authority of Ireland, is currently coordinating the working groups of gas technical standards committees. His primary objective is to enhance Irish and European gas standards to be adaptable for 100% hydrogen use in the net-zero carbon energy system.
He was the chief researcher of the HyTest and HyEnd projects and advisor of the HyGreenNet project. These three distinct phases of projects are the initial initiatives of Gas Networks Ireland at the Gas Innovation Centre to study and investigate the capabilities and limitations of end-users’ equipment in terms of taking hydrogen blends.
Dr Ali Ekhtiari has played a key role in establishing a prominent and internationally recognised specialist portfolio. His expertise also fits into modelling and optimising robust, flexible, and sustainable energy systems. This expertise has contributed to the transformation of national and international industrial and community priorities into competitive development projects.
Brendan Kelly
Head of Commercial
Bord na Móna Renewable Energy
Brendan is the Head of Commercial at Bord Na Móna Renewable Energy and is responsible for developing commercial strategies and full commercialisation of Bord No Móna’s 2GW+ development pipeline. He is also leading the diversification strategy for the company specifically in the areas of Offshore Wind, Green Hydrogen, Power to X, and Flextech.
Brendan has over 13 years’ experience in the Utility and Energy sector. Prior to joining Bord Na Móna, Brendan held several senior management positions with Smart Wires, an Energy Technology company, based out of the Bay Area in California. At Smart Wires, Brendan was responsible for development of the EMEA business and subsequently led the company’s business expansion into the Canadian market. Brendan also previously held senior engineering roles at EirGrid, the Irish TSO, most notably leading the design of Grid Connections for over 2GW of wind generators and the initial tranche of Data Centres to the to the Irish system.
Brendan has an Electrical Engineering background having received his Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from University College Dublin.
Cristina Coffey
Chief Strategy Officer
EpiSensor
Cristina Coffey is the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at EpiSensor, driving the global sustainable energy transition with advanced IoT solutions. Cristina has an extensive background in business and engineering. She has a particular interest in the energy sector and holds a Research Master’s in Energy Simulation and Production Management, as well as degrees in software engineering, and international marketing.
Cristina began her career by founding companies and a start-up accelerator, where she invested over €6 million in start-ups across the EU. She was the Founder and CEO of ThoughtBox, an award-winning mobile educational games company and held roles such as Head of Operations and Head of Innovation in tech companies like SinglePoint (acquired by Version 1) and Befinitive.
Currently, as the CSO at EpiSensor, Cristina’s strategic vision is driving global demand response and energy management programmes with market leaders such as Enel X, CoolPlanet, and EnergyCAP.
Conor Molloy
Trainer, auditor, advisor, in Energy & Transport
AEMS ECOfleet
Conor trains companies to maximise their energy performance, minimising emissions on the path to net-zero.
An Al Gore Climate Reality leader since 2018, Conor has been helping business save fuel and manage their energy use for profit and planet – to reduce their CO2/GHG emissions – since 2005.
Accepted as a member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI), and the Efficiency Valuation Organisation (EVO). He is a registered energy auditor, qualified trainer and experienced facilitator.
In 2018 Conor was invited to join the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) expert panel based on his work as the designer and implementer of the EEOS funded ECOfleet programme, where over 100 Irish freight operators can now get paid for their fuel and CO2 savings (2014-2030) see also https://aems.ie/blog/can-training-deliver-measured-ghg-savings/
Derek Sinnott
Lean Construction Ireland
Bio to Follow
Fiona Lavin
SEAI Programme Executive
Fiona Lavin is a SEAI Programme Executive, working on the Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) Programme. Fiona qualified from University College Galway with a BE (Industrial Engineering) and later an MSc (Biomedical Science). She has experience in various manufacturing industries including wafer fabrication and data storage, fibre optics, wound care, medical device and advanced research and training with laser processing. In her current role Fiona focuses on supporting LIEN members to improve their energy performance through the SEAI ongoing engagement supports, including advisory, training, events, site visits, and briefings.
Frank Cooney
Director
Cooney Architects
Project Management, proven track record of thought
leadership in sustainable design going back to the 1990's, innovative response to cost
effective deep retrofit, evidence based post retrofit energy performance evaluation,
embodied carbon studies, embodied energy studies, red list & sustainable material
studies, developing appropriate retrofit details & testing using WUFI & Therm (with Andy
Lundburg), evidence based simulation & deep retrofit of historic properties/conservation
projects using breathable, healthy materials
Ian Boylan
ISO Baseline
Ian will deliver a Workshop discussing ISO50001.
Jason Herbert
Policy Analyst
Electricity Association of Ireland (EAI)
Topic: Bridging the Gap: Achieving Ireland's Article 8 Energy Efficiency Directive Targets (Learn More)
Jason Herbert is a Policy Analyst with the Electricity Association of Ireland (EAI). He works closely with industry participants in the energy sector to monitor and advise on EU and national policy developments, with a particular focus on retail electricity markets, energy poverty and energy efficiency.
With a Bachelor of Law and a postgraduate degree in Sustainability in Enterprise from UCC, Jason’s work focuses on creating policies which support the deployment of low carbon technologies, the electrification of heat and transport and the effective implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive.
Joanne Sheahan
Enterprise Ireland
John O'Leary
CTO - Action Zero
John is an honours graduate and past part-time lecturer of the Food Engineering Dept., UCC.
With over 30 years of experience in the design of large ammonia refrigeration systems operating to below -50°C, John has pioneered the design and use of highly efficient, high temperature heat pumps in Irish food and pharma operations.
He has implemented many of his inventive designs in these sectors using his philosophy to drive sustainability by making it financially irresistible to large energy users – a philosophy that has led to the development of the EscoPod, a system that is a key weapon in the decarbonisation of heat.
Kedar Apte
Energy & Sustainability Engineer
AbbVie
Results-driven Renewable Energy Engineer with a solid background in project & energy management and a passion for sustainable solutions. Experienced in leading cross-functional teams, overseeing capital and energy projects, and ensuring successful implementation from concept to completion. Proficient in energy analysis, feasibility studies, and technical evaluations. Committed to advancing renewable energy technologies and driving the transition to a low-carbon future.
Kevin Donovan
Energy Manager
Roadstone Ltd
Kevin Donovan, Energy Manager Roadstone Ltd, CRH, began working in the Quarrying Industry in 1999. Initially as Clogrennane Lime Environmental Manager, Kevin developed the Environmental Management System in accordance with the IPPC Licence at the facility. In 2004 Kevin became the Environmental Manager for Roadstone Ltd, implementing ISO 14001 in Locations throughout Ireland. In 2007 Kevin developed with the SEAI a strategy for implementation of I.S. 393 at Roadstone. Roadstone has now accreditation to ISO 50001 at 23 Locations throughout the country and the Transport Division. Kevin Donovan also Lectures the module Energy Management Principles and Practice at TU Dublin, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Kevin Donovan is a Certified Energy Manager and lifetime membership at the AEE.
Leon Callan (Sustainability Advisor)
Business in the Community Ireland.
Topic: Decarbonising to become more energy efficient, the opportunities and challenges faced in this process.
Leon Callan is part of the Advisory Services team in BITCI. Before his current role Leon was an experienced electronic engineer with over 15 years in IT, specialising in enterprise-level data centre solutions at both EMC and Dell Technologies. With a solid educational background, including a BS in Electronic Engineering, a HDip in Business Innovation & Digital Transformation, a HDip Sustainability in Enterprise and most recently A Cert in Renewable Technology Leon transitioned into a Sustainability Advisor role at BITCI, driven by a genuine passion for climate action. His focus extends to areas such as Circular Economy, Carbon Accounting, Biodiversity, and Responsible Technology. With a commitment to sustainability, Leon is not just an engineer; he's a catalyst for positive change in the world.
Lorna McDowell
Xenergie
Lorna McDowell, founder and CEO of Xenergie, brings over 30 years experience in transforming and inspiring leaders for new times, notably within multinational/global organisations, and with C-Suite leaders both within Ireland and globally. As such, she and the team at Xenergie have developed the category of “Social Energy”, harnessing the power of human connection within and between organisations to deliver competitive advantage and future-fit culture.
The Xenergie team have won a number of awards internationally, and played a key part in influencing thinking and behaviours that have game-changed situations and capabilities, helping leaders and their teams respond purposefully, authentically and inclusively to what is called of them in these complex, changing times, with stakeholder-driven strategies and deeper awareness of their impacts and responsibilities. Paths forward in such times call for enhanced skills to manage complexity, anxieties, dualities and ignite the imagination to find new ambition and energy to propel new kinds of organisational movement.
Before founding Xenergie 24 years ago, Lorna spent many years in the technology sector in international marketing and corporate communications with Brodeur Worldwide (now Ketchum) and in-house with Plaut GmbH, Micrografx France, and Tektronix Europe, as well as on the associate leadership development staff for Korn Ferry, Lore International Institute and McKinsey. She holds a Masters degree in Organisational Psycho-dynamic Analysis & Leadership from the Grubb Institute of Behavioural Studies and a range of coaching, supervision and assessment qualifications. She is also a mother of two young adults and lives between London and Galway, Ireland, balancing a dual-passion for the energy of the outdoors and for city life.
Marcos Byrne
Policy Manager - Wind Energy Ireland
Marcos Byrne is a Policy Manager with focus on Grids and Markets at Wind Energy Ireland. His current role with Wind Energy Ireland sees him working on policy development in markets and grids, working towards a net zero energy system for Ireland. Marcos comes from a background in innovative grid technologies with SuperNode where he worked on Markets Analysis and future market trends, product development for innovative superconducting cable solutions, and working towards policy changes for the future energy system. He also has experience developing renewable energy projects with Mainstream Renewable Power, where he gained experience in onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar. Marcos also worked developing a future 2050 energy model for Europe and forecasting future global electricity demand.
Owen Power
Managing Director
EnerPower powered by Greenvolt
A Renewable Energy expert with over 25 year’s extensive cross–functional experience gained in national and multinational organizations in Ireland, France and USA. Owen has a proven track record in project management and process optimisation. A strategic thinker with well-developed interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills. Owen has hands-on experience of best practice operational activities.
Founded by brothers Owen and Cormac Power in 2005, Enerpower powered by Greenvolt delivers innovative and sustainable renewable energy solutions for commercial organisations. Our mission is to drive the global transition to clean energy, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Enerpower was founded in 2005, it focused on developing cutting edge renewable energy solutions.
Paul Lundy
Energy and Sustainability Leader
AbbVie
Paul Lundy is an experienced energy lead with over 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has a proven track record of developing and implementing sustainable energy strategies that have resulted in significant cost savings and reduced carbon emissions. Paul is an expert in energy management, process efficiency, and energy procurement. He has a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical manufacturing process and has successfully implemented energy-efficient measures and technologies in the Ballytivnan site. Paul is passionate about sustainability and is committed to helping pharmaceutical companies reduce their carbon footprint.
In his current role as an energy lead, Paul is responsible for developing and implementing energy management strategies across the entire pharmaceutical plant. He works closely with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for energy savings and to implement energy-efficient measures. Paul is also responsible for managing the plant’s energy procurement process, ensuring that the plant is sourcing energy from sustainable sources.
Prior to his current role, Paul held several positions in the pharmaceutical industry, including preventative maintenance planner and facilities maintenance engineer. In these roles, he was responsible for developing and implementing energy-efficient measures and technologies in the Ballytivnan site. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science and a degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering and has completed several professional development courses in energy management
Peter Moran
Global Energy and Sustainability Program Manager
AbbVie
Peter has extensive engineering, management and energy management experience gained over 25 years working in blue-chip FDI industries. Peter has been with AbbVie for 10 years, where he leads AbbVie’s Global Energy Management Program. The Energy Management Program is responsible for driving energy performance improvement, decarbonization and adoption of renewable energy across AbbVie globally. The Energy Management Program drives the delivery of AbbVie’s 2025 and 2035 Energy and Environmental Sustainability Targets, and in adopting a Science-Based Target.
Peter holds an MBA (ATU), a BEng in Mechanical Engineering (UL), and energy management qualifications including Certified Energy Manager (CEM).
Raoul Empey
Director
Sustineo
Raoul is director of Sustineo, a leading Irish sustainability consultancy that provides solutions for businesses to reduce the impact they have on the environment. Sustineo does sustainability in 3 steps (measure, optimise, restore), aiming to help businesses increase profitability while doing something good for society and the living world. Sustineo specialises in climate action, carbon and energy management, and also assists businesses with restorative projects such as planting native woodlands in Ireland. See www.ClimateAction.ie for Sustineo’s latest “Climate Action Certificate” course in conjunction with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).
As a certified trainer, Raoul has designed, developed and delivered highly successful courses such as Energy Basics and Carbon Basics on behalf of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Ireland’s national energy authority, and various masterclasses and leaders programmes for the Climate Ready Academy. He also delivers Climate Action workshops and webinars on topics such as net zero targets and carbon offsets. Raoul is actively involved in creating Ireland’s first Woodland Carbon Code, authored Bord Bia’s (Ireland’s food marketing agency) guidance document “Pathways to Net Zero” for the food and beverage manufacturing sector, and was a contributor to the International Organization for Standardization’s Net Zero Guiding Principles which was launched at COP27 in Egypt this November (ISO IWA 42).
Raoul is a Climate Reality Leader, having been personally trained by former US Vice President Al Gore in the communication of climate change. He is also a Certified Energy Manager with the Association of Energy Engineers (CEM) and a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland (CEng). Since 2012, he has acted as energy advisor and trainer for various SEAI panels including its Public Sector, SME, Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN), and Sustainable Energy Community programmes. When not working on energy management and sustainability, Raoul enjoys performing with his cellist and songwriting wife, Vyvienne Long, and assisting with her tours.
Stella Burke
Senior Policy Analyst
EDF Renewables Ireland
Stella has extensive policy experience within the Irish renewables and energy sectors, having previously held key policy roles with EirGrid, Wind Energy Ireland, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
With a Bachelors in Geology and a Masters in Renewable Energy and Resource Management, Stella's work reflects her dedication to advancing renewable energy development and to driving the transition to a low-carbon future. In her current role as Senior Policy Analyst, she leads on engagement with key government departments, trade associations and regulators, and works to promote the development of renewable energy policy in Ireland, in the context of Ireland's Net Zero Ambition.
Tom Cosgrove
Stratos Energy Services
Currently a manager of energy and building management services at Stratos Energy, Tom is both a qualified Electrical and Industrial engineer along with holding an MSc. in Renewable Energy Systems with 24 years of professional experience. This is to include significant project and construction management, as well as utilities operational management. Tom has a combination of education, leadership, and interpersonal talents, with practical experience of
delivering productivity in dynamic and project execution environments whilst maintaining regulatory and safety compliance. This is combined with a skill set that offers a specialism with broad application in many aspects of the energy, construction, engineering, project management, building services and utilities industries.