The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Power to the people project sparks off
A MILESTONE in the transition from fossil fuels to communitygenerated electricity was taken on Monday when ESB Networks announced the five ambassadors for their Dingle Project.
At the event Claire Mac Elligott, ESB Network’s Dingle Project Engagement Manager, presented the five families who were selected for the installation of “a gamut of technology courtesy of the ESB”, including solar panels, battery management systems and electric vehicles chargers. Installation of ultra-efficient air source heat pumps will also be included in some cases.
The families, from the Maharees to Dún Chaoin, taking part in the project each gave a short account of why they are willing to become ambassadors for the project. Among them was electrician Colm Kennedy, whose interest is in energy-efficiency, both in his own hame and to have first hand experience in order to help people to embrace new technologies in his role as an electrician. He spoke about people’s fear of change, and their reticence to move away from oil burners.
Apart from tourism, the main industry on the peninsula is agriculture and and third generation farmer and AI technician Denis ‘Dinny’ Galvin from Aglish, Lispole, noted that people can no longer ignore the idea of carbon quotas. He also spoke about his hope that plans for an anaerobic digestor in the area become into a reality.
Both Dinny and Colm Kennedy are no strangers to this type of technology as both were early adopters. They have been successfully using air-to-water heat pumps in their homes for more than ten years, adding solar panels to top up the power generated by the pump.
The often pressing issue of “who has left on the immersion” was occupying the mind of teacher Carol Leahy of Ballywiheen, Ballyferriter, and her words struck a chord with most people
The fourth family and last domestic installation is Ruairí Mac Keown from Dún Chaoin, a man who travels for work a lot. With a young family he is mindful of climate change issues and would like to play part in making a secure future for today’s children.
The future of the Maharees due to coastal erosion was on the mind of Rose Spillane from Spillane’s pub who has seen first hand the impact of climate change. She sees renewable energy as the future for providing power for their busy pub business.
Over the next three years each of the ambassadors will report on their experiences and will provide the community with information about the technology. John Fitzgerald, Project Manager for ESB Networks, described the ambassadors as “honest to God references” who can tell their story and report the differences the technology has made in their lives.
The project was launched in April and project manager John Fitzgerald paid tribute to local ESB staff and to the support from Deirdre de Bhailís Manager of the Dingle Hub. Brendan Tuohy and Gary Delaney of Dingle Hub initially invited ESB Networks to come to the area to test new technologies.
Apart from the installation of equipment in the homes and businesses of the ambassadors this has kicked off a three-year project, which includes upgrading of the entire ESB network in West Kerry. The plan also includes ESB support for the development of community solar schemes, battery storage for electricty on the network and in people’s homes as well as electric vans for ESB staff in West Kerry.
Meanwhile, the winners of solar panel installations from enteries submittted to the ESB stand at the Food Festival were announced. The winners were: Maire Ní hIarlaithe, Baile na nGall; Edith Martin, Reenconnell; Michael O’Dowd, Castlegregory; Seán Bácéir, Baile na nGall; Brian Farrell, Dingle; Donald Grogan, Baile na Buaile; Tom Kennedy, Ballydavid; Kevin Flannery, Garfinny; Dingle GAA and Brian Mc Manus of the Dingle Gate Hostel.