Breakfast Tech for Good: Powering Renewable Energy

How could the Celtic Interconnector, a sub electricity cable connecting France and Ireland, help both countries transition to a low carbon energy future? And what green innovations developed by Irish, French and European startups could support this transition?

The French Tech Dublin recently partnered with Eirgrid and the France Ireland Chamber of Commerce to hold a breakfast seminar “Tech for Good” on the theme of renewable energy.

The event took place in Eirgrid on the 11th of June 2019, just a few days after the Irish energy supplier and its French counterpart, RTE, signed the European Union funding application for the Celtic Interconnector project.

Project manager Doctor Gary Nolan explained to the audience how the Celtic Interconnector would make it easier for Ireland to manage variable renewable power sources like solar and wind. Dr Nolan also highlighted the benefits of ‘smarter’, more flexible grids, which improve the movement of electricity around the system to the places that need it.

The second speaker on stage, Stephane Groud, chief product officer of Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), introduced the audience to vertical farming and innovative power management systems applied to agriculture. “Power optimisation will be a huge factor in making vertical farming economically efficient”, said the French engineer.

Our third speaker, Franck Mutel, Business Development Manager of Greenoffice, presented the company’s solutions for sorting waste in the offices and inspire people to recycle more. One of the keys to adoption is simplicity, he insisted, mentioning the 3R’: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.

The French Tech Dublin is supporting Tech for Good initiatives. We have launched a “ Tech for good” startup challenge, with participants being in for a chance to win a 1-week acceleration program in Paris.