Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast House Warming

The evidence is clear. Climate change is happening. We need to pick up the pace and take further action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions before it’s too late.  
In January this year, the EPA launched Ireland's Climate Change Assessment report (ICCA). The report provides a comprehensive assessment of our understanding of climate change in Ireland and our response to this global crisis - the first report of its kind for Ireland's climate.
The EPA also published a second report on ‘Climate in the Irish Mind’, a national survey on climate attitudes in Ireland. 
In this episode, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the Office of Evidence and Assessment at the EPA, talks to Sinead about the reports’ key findings and the scale of the challenge ahead for Ireland and how there is still opportunity to reduce the impact of climate change, while also preparing to become climate resilient.

To access Ireland's Climate Change Assessment report from the EPA, click here: Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment (ICCA) | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie)

To access the 'Climate in the Irish Mind' report, click here: Climate Change in the Irish Mind | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie)

In this episode of 180 Degrees we zoom in on the growing number of ‘Sustainable Energy Community' groups across the country, who are working towards reducing their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and making their communities more sustainable. 

180 Degrees Season 5 host Sinead Ryan is joined in the studio with Ruth Buggie of SEAI, Ger O'Halloran of the 'Connecting Cabra' Sustainable Energy Committee and Padraig Fallon, of the GAA Green Club initiative.

In recent years, we are seeing more community groups coming together to take climate action in their local areas. Tackling everything from recycling and biodiversity, to renewable energy projects, ambitious and important climate work is happening locally, and forming the backbone of what it means to be part of an Irish community.  

In this episode of 180 Degrees we will zoom in on the growing number of ‘Sustainable Energy Community' groups across the country, who are working towards reducing their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and making their communities more sustainable. These groups are not only adapting to more sustainable energy behaviours, but they are also investing in large-scale energy projects that are benefiting all members of the community 

Representatives from different community-focused projects will share their experiences of being part of a community project, and the impact this is having on the wider community. 

In this mini-episode, we enter the realm of Smart Grids and Smart Networks: a technological landscape where the smart grid, an advanced electricity network, facilitates seamless communication between electricity generators and users. Picture this: wind turbines engaging in a sophisticated dialogue with everyday appliances, turning your home into a synchronized hub of energy efficiency. 

Fergus Sharkey of SEAI returns and is joined by Chloe Kinsella of Cenergise to take us through the energy technology that lies ahead.

We've heard of ‘smart products’ for our homes and the concept of the ‘Internet of Things’ - where our home appliances and apps can communicate to find the right product or play the ideal music in our living rooms – but are we soon going to have the same options for our home energy use? 

Enter the realm of Smart Grids and Smart Networks: a technological landscape where the smart grid, an advanced electricity network, facilitates seamless communication between electricity generators and users. This intricate web ensures optimal balance in meeting electricity demands for household activities like washing, cleaning, charging, and beyond. Picture this: wind turbines engaging in a sophisticated dialogue with everyday appliances, turning your home into a synchronized hub of energy efficiency. 

Tune in to find out more! 

In this mini-episode, Fergus Sharkey of SEAI and Tina Dowling, CEO at 'The Watershed' sport and leisure centre in Kilkenny, answer questions on how SEAI is supporting businesses to decarbonise and save on energy costs and what choices Tina made to start the The Watershed's energy journey.

In this episode we discuss how SEAI is supporting businesses to decarbonise and save on energy costs with Fergus Sharkey of SEAI and Tina Dowling, CEO at the Watershed, home of sport and Leisure in Kilkenny. The Watershed, who provide a host of indoor and outdoor sporting facilities and swimming, were finalists in the SME category at the SEAI Energy Awards. Tina discusses how they got started on their energy journey and more importantly, why. 

Data centres are adding more demand onto Ireland’s electrical grid, but can our grid keep up with the scale of the demand, or do we need to add more capacity? 

In this mini-episode we discuss how increased demand on our data centres impacts Ireland's climate targets.  Can we reach our 2030 goals while increasing capacity, and what does that mean for Ireland’s energy future. 

Saving to the ‘cloud’ frees up storage on our devices, but despite the name, our data doesn’t disappear into the sky, it’s stored in a data centre. 

Data centres are adding more demand onto Ireland’s electrical grid, but can our grid keep up with the scale of the demand, or do we need to add more capacity? 

In this episode we discuss how increased demand on our data centres impacts our Climate Action plan.  Can we reach our 2030 goals while increasing capacity, and what does that mean for Ireland’s energy future. 

We have our Climate Action Plan for Ireland, which is a roadmap that is updated every year, for taking the right actions to halve Ireland's emissions by 2030 – can the growth of more Data Centres fit into these plans for Ireland’s climate? 

District Heating currently delivers 9% of Europe's total heating demands. 
So how does it work and how can it be developed in Ireland? 

In this mini-episode we answer your questions on District Heating.

One of the oldest methods of heating buildings, District Heating has played a key role in making cities like Denmark and Copenhagen some of the most sustainable in the world, while also lowering costs for customers. District heating currently delivers 9% of Europe's total heating demands. 

So how does it work and how can it be developed in Ireland? 

In this episode we talk about the plans to develop District Heating projects across Ireland’s towns and cities while also looking at some examples of where it is working.

Renewable energy projects are key to helping Ireland reach net-zero. 

In this episode, we explore how we can make the most of our natural resources, like wind, sea and sun to create our own energy in Ireland. Discover how we can reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels and learn about the government's investments in this critical transition. 

Renewable energy projects are key to helping Ireland reach net-zero. In this episode, we explore how we can make the most of our natural resources, like wind, sea and sun to create our own energy in Ireland. Discover how we can reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels and learn about the government's investments in this critical transition. Join the discussion on how we can rally citizens, communities, and industry to lead the way on the path to achieving a net-zero future. 

SEAI’s Director of Policy Research and Policy Insights, Margie McCarthy and Dr. Lee Carroll of SEAI speak with Sinead Ryan about the renewable energy opportunities in Ireland. 

Transport in Ireland - a conversation for the ages! 

In this mini-episode, join Sinead Ryan and Fergus Sharkey of SEAI who together delve deep into the data surrounding our transportation habits and explore the solutions that will propel us toward a more sustainable, public and zero-carbon transportation system. 

Transport in Ireland - a conversation for the ages! 
It’s not just about our cars anymore; it’s about reimagining how we utilise trams, trains, buses and even bicycles on our country’s roads. 

We simply cannot afford to be as car dependent anymore.

To reshape our transportation landscape, reduce emissions and tackle traffic
problems, we need reliable and accessible public transport options.

In this episode, we delve deep into the data surrounding our transportation habits. We unpack the design elements and infrastructure that have driven our car-centric culture and explore the solutions that will propel us toward a more sustainable, public and zero-carbon transportation system. 

The latest Energy in Ireland report shows that, our CO2 emissions are going up, again! SEAI's Director of Research and Policy Insights Margie McCarthy and Dr. Lee Carroll, Programme Manager for SEAI's Energy Statistics team, chat about Ireland’s energy and carbon emissions trends with Sinead Ryan.

You can learn more about Energy in Ireland by visiting our website. 

The annual Energy in Ireland report profiles trends in the supply and demand of energy and energy related CO2 emissions in 2022 and 2023.

Around 45% of Ireland’s energy use is for direct personal consumption, primarily in our homes and in our cars. So, it is absolutely essential that we all become more energy efficient to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions; to insulate ourselves from high energy prices; and to reduce the chance of outages or fuel shortages. We also need systemic change, beyond what individuals can do, to address the current energy and climate crises.

In this episode, SEAI's Director of Research and Policy Insights Margie McCarthy and Dr. Lee Carroll, Programme Manager for SEAI's Energy Statistics team, chat to our host, Sinead Ryan, about the everyday choices that people make have a major role to play.

You can learn more about Energy in Ireland by visiting our website. 

Sinead Ryan and Fergus Sharkey of SEAI answer your Electric Vehicle (EV) questions in this third mini-episode of 180 Degrees.

This mini-episode covers:
🚗 SEAI's grant options for buying an EV
🚗 The different types of EVs
🚗 Ireland's second-hand EV market

and more!

To listen back to the full episode on EVs, visit www.seai.ie/podcast or download from wherever you get your podcasts.  

For something so silent, Electric Vehicles sure are making a lot of noise on the car market. EVs, are heralded as the successor to fossil-fuel based internal combustion engine cars (ICEs) with one in five new passenger vehicles sold in Ireland last year being electric. 

In this episode, we dig deep and get down to the real truths about EVs– how affordable are they in Ireland right now?  What options do you have when it comes to owning or leasing an EV? What EV legislation is coming down the road in the next few years? Are we approaching the tipping point for EV adoption in Ireland?  

All this and more in Episode 3 of 180 Degrees. 

Sinead Ryan and Brian McIntyre answer your top questions on all things Heat Pumps, in under 5 minutes! This 180 Degrees Podcast mini-episode covers the need-to-know on how to check if your home is 'Heat Pump Ready', the space required for a Heat Pump to be installed, the different types of Heat Pumps available and more. To listen back to the full episode and gain more information on Heat Pumps, visit www.seai.ie/podcast or download from wherever you get your podcasts.

Sinead Ryan and Brian McIntyre return for episode two of our latest Podcast season, talking all things Heat Pumps – why they’re a good renewable heat source, how they work, the grants you can receive to purchase one and more. Later in the episode, Sinead is joined by homeowner Pamela Potterton who talks about her own experience of having a heat pump installed in her home and the results.

Join Journalist Sinead Ryan for practical advice on reducing your energy bills, saving money and adopting a more energy-efficient lifestyle in Season 5 of the 180 Degrees Podcast. Sinead will chat to expert guests to address some of the key questions around Ireland’s energy revolution, what renewable technologies are coming into our homes to help improve our lives and our communities and how we can prepare for a fossil free future.

Sinead Ryan continues our latest podcast season with this 5-minute mini-episode dedicated to answering your top questions on how to reduce your energy use at home. 

‘Your Questions Answered’ follows on from the full-length first episode of ‘Cut Money Stress and Home-Assess!’, where Sinead chats to Brian McIntyre from SEAI about ways to cut back on energy use in your home, saving you both money and carbon emissions. Sinead is also joined by Architect Andre Negri who has spent the last 13 years transforming old homes into luxury A rated homes. To listen back to the full episode and gain a comprehensive understanding of how to make your home more energy-efficient and sustainable, visit www.seai.ie/podcast or download from wherever you get your podcasts. 

Sinead Ryan kicks off our latest Podcast season, chatting with Brian McIntyre from SEAI about ways to reduce your energy use in your home, saving you both money and carbon emissions. They cover the basics, such as where to start, understanding your energy use, getting your home assessed and sharing the no-cost, low-cost solutions in addition to bigger investment options. Later in the episode, Sinead is joined by Architect Andre Negri who has spent the last 13 years transforming old homes into luxury A rated homes. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of how to make your home more energy-efficient and sustainable.

Dr. Diarmuid Torney is an associate professor in the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University. His research focuses on climate change politics, policy, and governance.  He is co-director of the DCU Centre for Climate and Society and programme chair of DCU’s MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society. In this episode, he speaks with Jim Scheer on Ireland's climate policy, how Ireland ranks internationally for its climate legislation and citizens engaging with their political leaders to progress climate action.

Dr Erlijn van Genuchten is an author, educator and science communicator working in the field of sustainable living, who's mission is to make scientific research on nature and sustainability available to the broad public, to help people take action for the climate. She is part of the UN ECE Task Force on Digitalization in Energy, and part of the advisory committee for the UN Environmental Program West Asia Frontiers Report.

In this episode of 180 Degrees, Dr van Genuchten has a conversation with Jim Scheer on her previous work in Ethical Hacking, "pro-sumers" and digitalisation for better energy infrastructure. She has also recently published a new book 'A Guide to a Healthier Planet' and you can find a link to more details on it here: https://www.sustainabledecisions.eu/guide-to-a-healthier-planet

To join Erlijn virtually on some the walks discussed in this podacst, and explore the beauty of our planet, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@xplore-nature

On Twitter, she shares how living more environmentally friendly makes us happier, healthier and wealthier. In her 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge, she shares simple ideas on how she makes her daily life more environmentally friendly (https://Twitter.com/@ErlijnG).

You can visit Dr van Genuchten's website here - Sustainable Decisions

Prof. Dr. Claire Dupont is a research professor at Ghent University, in Belgium, specialising in research on policy, politics and governance of the transformation to sustainability and climate neutrality in Europe. In this episode of 180 Degrees, Professor Dupont speaks with Jim Scheer on the need for communicating the palpable ideas of a just Climate Transition to people to help bring it into reality.

Dr. Val Cummins, Operations and Projects Director at Simply Blue Energy Ireland and recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Energy Award at the SEAI Energy Awards 2022, speaks with Fergus Sharkey of the SEAI on her academic background and career, her work in floating offshore wind infrastructure and researching periwinkles!

Dr. Lorna Gold, Environmental Activist and Author talks to host Jim Scheer about mobilising faith communities and how we can build a worldwide movement to scale up our climate action. 

Professor John Sweeney, Emeritus Professor of Geography at the NUI Maynooth joins host Jim Scheer to discuss the stark reality of the latest climate science, Ireland’s energy and climate targets, and the chances of meeting them by 2030. 

Podcast host Jim Scheer is joined by Rachel Dempsey, founder of Full Circle Change to discuss her experience and knowledge supporting people to turn eco-anxiety to eco-resilience. They discuss the roots of the climate crisis, the youth movement, climate anxiety and indigenous wisdom on climate. 

Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications takes us back to his early years to share where he first discovered his connection to the natural world, and how that passion has led him to where he is today. 

Davie Phillip, Community Resilience Manager, talks to us about practical ways of engaging with climate action and about Ireland’s first ecovillage in Cloughjordan.

Sharon Finegan, Director Office of Environmental Sustainability at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has a conversation with host Jim Scheer in front of a live audience about her career and work for the EPA and the Department of the Taoiseach in communicating the importance of climate across Irish society.

Liz Bonnin, Science, Wildlife and Natural History Broadcaster chats to host Jim Scheer about her career in the environmental space and climate anxiety. 

This is a bonus episode recorded at the 2022 SEAI Energy Show in the RDS, Dublin. Fergus Sharkey, our Head of Public Sector and Transport, spoke to Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE, who was a speaker at the sold-out seminar on Deep Retrofit, Insulation and Recovery Plan. They discussed the current energy crisis, Ireland’s retrofitting targets and the additional benefits for homeowners who upgrade their homes.  Watch the ‘Deep Retrofit, Insulation and Recovery Plan’ seminar  

SEAI’s Jim Scheer, Head of Data & Insights, interviews Margie McCarthy, Director of Research and Policy Insights at SEAI, about the recently published National Heat Study by SEAI. It’s a comprehensive analysis of the options for reaching net zero emissions from the heating sector by 2050. 

Comprising a series of technical reports analysing heat supply and use across all sectors, the study provides key insights and proposed actions to decarbonise the sector. Crucially it stresses the need for early and urgent action. Margie and Jim discuss what form these actions could take and who should be acting on them.

You can read the report in full here.

This is a bonus episode about SEAI’s Annual Report Energy in Ireland, which presents the latest official statistics on energy use in Ireland. SEAI’s Jim Sheer, Head of Data and Insights, chats to Denis Dineen, senior statistician, about the report’s findings. They discuss Ireland’s national energy use and the underlying driving forces, such as the economy and weather, and more recently the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also examine greenhouse gas emissions from energy use, energy security, cost competitiveness, and our progress towards EU renewable energy targets.  Read the report in full:  https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-publications/energy-in-ireland/  

Episode 7 features Pauric Kavanagh, Operations Director with KORE Insulation, and Dearbhla Stapleton from SEAI’s Business and Industry team. This October, KORE Insulation won the award for ‘Small and Medium Business Exemplary Energy Management’ at the SEAI Energy Awards. Pauric tells Louise what winning the award has meant for the company and Dearbhla outlines what made it a winning entry. We also hear about the supports SEAI offer to SMEs beginning their energy efficiency journeys.  
Learn more about how SEAI's support and education resources for businesses: https://www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/small-and-medium-business/ 

This is the final episode about electric vehicles (EVs). In this episode, we’re talking about the different options for charging your EV. One of the most common comments SEAI gets on social media is around ‘range anxiety’. People are concerned that the EV won’t get them from A to B without stopping to charge.   We asked EV owner Noel how he finds charging and if he ever uses the public network. SEAI’s Transport Programme Manager Graham Brennan tells Louise about his recent experience driving an EV around Ireland this summer. He also explains what’s coming next for Ireland’s charging infrastructure.  Find out about SEAI’s home charger grant here.  Try our ‘Compare and calculate’ tool to see what EV would suit your needs 

This is the second of three episodes where we explore the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle (EV). In this episode, we talk through the buying process when in the market for a new EV. We visit a local car dealership for a test drive, and we hear some of the most common questions customers have when buying an EV. 

Find out more about switching to an electric vehicle at drivingelectric.ie

This is the first of three episodes where we will explore the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle (EV). 

Host Louise Ryan chats to two motoring journalists Caroline Kidd and Neil Briscoe, who tell her about the latest in the EV market and what the future holds for Ireland’s driving electric plans. We also hear from former EV sceptic Noel Griffin, who was inspired to make the switch a couple of years ago after attending a climate change event.

Learn more at drivingelectric.ie

This is the final episode focusing on home energy upgrades. Our host Louise Ryan is talking about financing an energy upgrade, which is a huge investment in your home and can take years to plan and save for.  

We hear from homeowner Cormac Madden again who availed of the SEAI grants at all stages of his home upgrade. SEAI’s Tom Halpin explains the different routes for homeowners looking to start, including the various grants and ‘green loans’ available.

Find out more about home energy upgrades.

This episode is the second of three episodes focusing on home energy upgrades. Our host Louise Ryan is talking about heat pumps, which can transform the comfort levels in your home while reducing running costs, energy usage and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. 

Brian McIntyre, SEAI, breaks down exactly what a heat pump is and how they make a home much more energy efficient. Homeowner Cormac Madden installed a heat pump in his house in 2017 and he explains why it’s transformational and he predicts it will be the appliance of choice in the future.

Find out more about heat pumps.

In this episode, host Louise Ryan explains the importance of our home’s BER (building energy rating) and how it effects your energy bills and carbon emissions. We hear from homeowner Cormac Madden, who spent several years upgrading his family home to an A3 rating and he’s delighted with the results. Then architect Denise O’Connor talks through the latest trends in house design and says her clients are becoming more focused on comfort and climate action.

Find out more about home energy upgrades.

This season we are talking about energy efficiency in the home, the motivations for investing in a large energy upgrade, and how to finance it. We also discuss the switch to electric vehicles, Ireland’s charging infrastructure and how one EV owner converted to driving electric and hasn’t looked back! 

This bonus episode of 180 Degrees comes from our recent Energy Show. The SEAI Energy Show is Ireland’s leading sustainable energy business event and this year we hosted it all online.    The event offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in energy efficiency and renewable energy and policy developments underpinning Ireland’s clean energy ambitions.     We had a fantastic line-up of speakers over the two days. One of which was Daniel Murray, a journalist with the Business Post, who chaired the session ‘Pathway to Net Zero’. Daniel shared some brilliant insights into Ireland’s energy transition and what challenges, risks, and opportunities it presents for business. 

This episode is coming to you straight from the SEAI Energy Show. Fergus Sharkey, Head of Business and Public Sector at SEAI, interviews two business leaders who are actively looking to decarbonise their business for the long term. 

Fergus talks to Ian Ryan from Wyeth Nutrition and Shaun McKevitt from Terra Spirits and Liqueurs who share their insights from their own decarbonisation journeys.

In this episode, Louise is looking at the careers of two senior women leading on change and innovation in what has historically been a very male populated sector.

Our guests are Martina Hennessy, Principle Officer of Offshore Renewable Energy at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and Patricia Comiskey, Programme Manager of Offshore energy at SEAI.

We are also chatting about the offshore wind sector and what measures are being taken to increase its viability in Ireland. 

 Homeowner Francis Clauson shares his fascinating story of building a home to an A1 rating – also known as a passive house. Louise finds out why he did it and what’s it like living there eight years on.  Susan Andrews from SEAI’s Home Energy team, explains what exactly is involved in upgrading your home to a BER B2 and the benefits of doing so.