NEWS
Farmers in Ireland can now apply for a new scheme which will grant aid some 60% of the cost of installing solar panels on their farms. The scheme will allow applicants to generate their own power and reduce energy costs on their dwelling and holding. Irish Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, recently announced the opening of applications for the devices under the new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). “At a time of rising energy costs, I have prioritised the introduction of the solar investments,” Minister McConalogue said. “In addition to the higher grant rates, I have also increased the size of the available investments from 11kW to 62kW.” Despite some speculation that batteries may be dropped from the eligible items list, solar PV rechargeable batteries will also be eligible for grant aid. With the increased grant aid rate and the current high electricity prices, the payback time for PV systems will significantly decrease. 60% grant for farm solar installations
Tool Monster Tech Tour hits SERC’s Newtownards Campus
Plumbing and Electrical apprentices enjoyed a skills day with a difference when popular YouTubers PB Plumber, Nick Bundy and CP Utility Solutions visited SERC’s Newtownards Campus for the Tool Monster Tech Tour. The event, in partnership with KNIPEX and Velocity Pro Gear, two of the biggest tool and bag companies in Europe, offered the apprentices and trainees the opportunity to get hands-on with state-of-the-art equipment, try out new tools, put their skills to
the test in competitions and visit the pop-up shop, which offered apprentice discounts. Sam Lyttle, Deputy Head of School Construction, Engineering and Skills for Work, said the Tool Monster Tech Tour provided their Level 2 and Level 3 Plumbing and Electrical apprentices and trainees with an “enriching learning experience” and a great opportunity to meet and engage with the popular YouTubers during what turned out to be a fun skills day. www.serc.ac.uk
Trials show EV charging will help, not hinder the grid
Electric vehicles could be the largest contributor to flexible capacity in our electricity grid, according to recent data captured by myenergi, the UK’s largest provider of eco-smart home technology. In recent months, myenergi, which manufactures a range of smart home energy products – including the zappi solar EV charger – has supported UK grid events, with thousands of customers signed up to offer flexible capacity. With more than 13MW of aggregated flexible capacity in total – equivalent to the average power consumption of almost 40,000 homes – myenergi has been sending commands to zappi chargers that have responded to grid events by reducing their consumption by an average of 2.4kW per household. This offers far more flexible capacity than other demand side response (DSR) platforms, which have largely just seen consumers reduce home energy consumption by turning off lights and other appliances. Lee Sutton, co-founder and CEO of myenergi, said, “Done right, grid flexibility should not inconvenience consumers. Indeed, it’s clear that our customers have barely noticed these brief interruptions to their EV charging, as their vehicles have invariably still been able to finish charging.” myenergi.com/zappi-ev-charger
myenergi EV flexibility.
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