Enterprise Ireland Offers Grants for Smart Metering Adoption

In response to the increasing demand for sustainable practices, Enterprise Ireland is offering financial support to manufacturing firms looking to implement smart metering systems. This initiative aims to help businesses effectively manage their energy and water consumption, ultimately reducing operational costs and enhancing sustainability efforts.

Smart metering has emerged as a vital tool for companies striving to optimize resource use. By providing real-time monitoring of energy and water consumption, these systems enable businesses to identify inefficiencies and adjust their operations accordingly. Research indicates that companies can achieve savings of between 5 percent and 15 percent through targeted interventions based on insights gathered from smart meters.

Support for Manufacturing Firms

The support from Enterprise Ireland covers up to 50 percent of eligible costs related to Energy Monitoring and Tracking (EM&T) systems. This includes the purchase and installation of meters for electricity, gas, diesel, oil, water, and steam. Projects can range from €10,000 to €100,000, making the initiative accessible to both small and large enterprises.

In addition to financial support, Enterprise Ireland offers expert guidance through various programs, including the climate action voucher and the greenstart grant. These resources assist businesses in developing a metering roadmap and conducting gap analyses to interpret data effectively. The overarching goal is to empower companies to proactively manage their energy and water usage.

Real-World Impact of Smart Metering

Recent case studies presented during an Enterprise Ireland webinar highlighted the significant benefits of smart metering. Caroline Sugrue from DCS Group, a firm specializing in energy and sustainability services, shared how real-time data facilitated targeted actions and optimized the sizing of renewable energy systems, such as solar photovoltaic panels and heat pumps.

Operations manager John Murphy of Lee Strand Co-Op Creamery recounted how the installation of submeters led to an initial 12 percent reduction in electricity usage, achieved through operational adjustments without any additional capital investment. Similarly, Donal Budds from FreeFoam Building Products described how metering individual machines and subsystems allowed for a 10 percent energy saving by transitioning to low-energy vacuum systems. This initiative fostered an energy savings culture within the company, positioning them to meet growing customer demands for reduced carbon footprints.

As consumer expectations regarding environmental performance continue to rise, having precise data on energy and water usage is becoming essential. Implementing smart metering not only enhances operational efficiency but also supports accurate carbon accounting and life cycle assessments.

For further information about this program and its benefits, visit enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/become-more-sustainable. Kathleen O’Regan, a senior executive for sustainability solutions at Enterprise Ireland, emphasizes the importance of these initiatives in helping businesses achieve their sustainability goals.