- Scotland’s Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation Ivan McKee commends energy initiatives deployed by ESB’s Smart Energy Services at V&A Dundee
21st February 2020
The Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation Ivan McKee has commended ESB on developing a world-class, low carbon energy solution for the V&A Dundee design museum.
ESB’s Smart Energy Services – a division of the Irish utility- developed a bespoke 100% electric, energy efficient heating solution which produces less carbon and saves on operational costs for the iconic museum. This work was critical in the museum achieving its BREEAM ‘Excellent’ energy rating.
ESB’s Smart Energy Services specialises in partnering with large energy users to help reduce energy costs, carbon emissions and consumption. The V&A Dundee is now equipped with ground source and air source heat pumps which can deliver 500kw of cooling power and 800kw of heat respectively. This comprehensive system, in turn, produces up to 54% less carbon and save 105% in operating costs, as compared to traditional systems. The system also decarbonises in line with the national grid.
This project is just one of ESB’s investments in the Scottish market. With an office in Glasgow, the group has partnerships with Coriolis and REG Holdings to develop onshore wind developments and recently acquired a 50 per cent in the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind project from EDF Renewables.
Speaking at today’s special event to showcase the work completed, Minister McKee said: “A project of this scale and ambition takes an incredible amount of collaboration and coordination: Not only to realise the architect’s vision, but to meet Dundee’s goal to be carbon neutral before 2045. I commend the V&A Dundee, Dundee City Council and ESB in delivering this award-winning project.”
ESB’s Smart Energy Services has also recently partnered with Dundee City Council to create the city’s first low carbon district heating energy centre in Caird Park, which consists of ground source heat pumps powered by a combined heat and power plant (CHP).
Speaking in the V&A Dundee, ESB’s Chief Executive Pat O’Doherty said: “ESB is proud to have played such an important role in helping the V&A Dundee achieve its ambition of developing a high energy rated building. This latest project is another great milestone for our team in Scotland as we continue to invest in major generation and renewable projects, including the development of windfarms and customer-led initiatives such as the V&A Dundee. I thank Minister McKee and Dundee City Council for their support, and we look forward to partnering on more innovative projects in Scotland in the future.”
Ends
About ESB
ESB operates across the electricity market on the island of Ireland: from generation, through transmission and distribution to the supply of customers with an expanding presence across Great Britain. In 2017 ESB opened an office in Glasgow to spearhead further development of renewables, onshore and offshore wind, across Scotland. ESB is the owner of the distribution and transmission networks in the Republic of Ireland (via ESB Networks) and Northern Ireland (via Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd). In 2017, the company had a 42% share of generation in the all-island market (via Generation and Wholesale Markets) and a 34% share of electricity supply in the all-island market (via Electric Ireland) with 1.4 million customer accounts.
About ESB’s Smart Energy Services: ESB Smart Energy Services is a business line within ESB, offering businesses managed energy services through a partnership approach which leverages cutting-edge technology and funding solutions to reduce energy consumption and costs for the industrial and commercial sectors.