Tyndall National Institute has rolled out two major research initiatives, ACTIVATE and INNOV8HEAT, designed to strengthen energy efficiency and renewable energy utilisation across Irish industry according to an Engineers Ireland report.

Funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the projects provide both technical solutions and financial support to companies navigating rising energy costs. Written by Engineers Ireland Journal.

ACTIVATE (Accelerating Carbon Transition through Awareness and Quantification of Non-Energy Benefits of Energy Efficiency), awarded €155k, aims to shift business perspectives on energy upgrades. Beyond lowering utility bills, the project quantifies operational reliability, reduced maintenance costs, improved work environments, and brand reputation.

Researchers explained that the project “aims to help industries and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to have a greater understanding of the benefits of energy upgrades and its benefits leading to faster returns and shorter payback periods.”

Dr Pádraig Lyons, head of group, IERC at Tyndall, added: “The viability for many energy efficiency upgrades in many businesses is on a knife edge. Considering and quantifying the non-energy benefits of these upgrades could push many more upgrades and investments in energy efficiency over the line accelerating the decarbonisation and supporting the sustainability of Irish SMEs.”

INNOV8HEAT, funded at €750k, explores innovative storage of Ireland’s growing surplus wind and solar energy using advanced phase change materials. The project leverages artificial intelligence to model and optimise energy storage and release in real time, reducing dependence on fossil fuels while improving cost control for commercial and industrial heating and cooling.

Both projects coincide with Budget 2026 measures, including €1.1bn investment in energy infrastructure, extended tax reliefs for energy-efficient equipment, and a 35% R&D Tax Credit.

Explore how ACTIVATE and INNOV8HEAT are redefining engineering excellence in Irish industry in the full story.