ESB to test electric cars in West Kerry
ESB Networks wants to give free electric cars to people in West Kerry and they are interested in hearing from anybody who is interested.
As part of the ESB Networks Dingle Project, the ESB is making 15 electric cars available for a one-year test drive. Five of the cars have already been allocated to the five ‘ambassador’ families taking part in the broader Dingle Project scheme which involves the installation of solar pv panels, smart electricity metering, home insulation and other energy saving initiatives. The remaining 10 cars are now being made available to people in the broader community who are interested in testing how well electric cars can serve the transport needs of West Kerry.
There was great interest in the scheme, which is limited to residents of West Kerry, at the ESB Networks Stand during the Food Festival. Further expressions of interest can be made by email until December. ESB Networks Dingle Project Community Engagement Manager Claire Mc Elligott said they will send out a questionnaire next January to all who have expressed interest and the trial will start in March or April of next year.
To date ESB networks have installed 30 solar pv’s in West Kerry and these have generated in excess of 278,667kWh of energy. As well as this, a project called Storenet has been implemented in Ballyferriter using 20 battery systems that are connected together to operate as a virtual power plant in the townland. This virtual power plant - which is being used as a test-bed for possible future energy networks - will integrate with the existing power grid with the aim of reducing energy costs for residents and to help ease pressure on the power grid during peak demand times.
The Dingle Project, which ends in 2021, will provide ESB networks with information on what is needed to bring about a transition to a low carbon energy system nationally. Apart from the technical implications for the physical network, an important part of the transition is motivating people to become what they term ‘active energy citizens’. This in turn aims to motivate people to make the changes involved in abandoning fossil fuels for heating, lighting and transport.
An important aspect of creating an ‘active energy citizen’ is education and in November the Dingle Hub, in collaboration with Kerry ETB, will deliver a three-month course on renewable technologies with a view to training ‘sustainable energy technicians’.
In the New Year ESB Networks will also establish a weekly clinic which will be a resource for home and business owners interested in transferring to sustainable technologies.
To register an interest in taking part in the electric car trial, send an email to dingle@esbnetworks.ie.