The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, has announced the approval of the first two projects as part of the government-supported International Energy Research Centre.

Contracts valued at a total of €1 million have been agreed between the International Energy Research Centre and four Higher Education Institutions.

The research projects will focus on energy efficiency and energy storage in commercial buildings, in particular:

•using wireless networks to control and manage heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems

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•redesigning and developing storage heating solutions

Minister Rabbitte said: "Our strategy is to position Ireland as a leading edge location for developing integrated energy solutions where knowledge-intensive international and Irish companies along with leading researchers partner will develop innovative energy solutions for global markets. The projects announced today will complement existing world class energy research activities in Ireland including the internationally renowned smart grid and renewable energy integration research at the UCD Electricity Research Centre working in partnership with global companies as well as EirGrid and ESB Networks. Energy is of fundamental strategic importance to the economy and it is essential that we continue to invest in research to develop energy efficiency technologies which will underpin the Government’s energy efficiency objectives and support economic growth in the clean technology sector. These partnership projects are a case in point."

(CD/GK)