AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME

In 2018, ESB Networks launched a highly innovative 3-year project on the Dingle Peninsula which, in collaboration with the local community, focused on the deployment and assessment of the impact and role of a range of new technologies, in the development of a smart resilient, low carbon electricity network. The renewable and clean energy enabling technologies installed at trial participants’ properties included:
  • Solar PV Systems
  • Residential-scale batteries
  • Air Source Heat Pumps
  • Electric Vehicles, Smart EV chargers and bi-directional (V2G) chargers
  • Home Energy Monitoring Systems
  • The project also trialed a number of smart devices on the electrical network to enhance its reliability.

In late 2018, ESB Networks retrofitted the homes and businesses of five local Ambassadors with a range of technologies including: Solar PVs, Air Source Heat Pumps, and Electric Vehicle Chargers. This project allowed ESB Networks to experiment with different energy efficiency measures on the peninsula, helping the move towards a low carbon future. The five local Ambassadors were selected from a competitive pool of over 70 applicants and part of their role was to help inform other members of our community about the different technologies available to improve energy efficiency.

EV Trial

In January 2021, ESB Networks launched a one-year electric vehicle (EV) trial. The objective of the community trial was to understand the impact of electric vehicle charging on the electricity network and to investigate if the optimised use of smart EV charging technologies can minimise those impacts.

Following an extensive local engagement campaign, 10 new EV Ambassadors from hundreds of applications were selected to participate. The existing five Dingle Project Ambassadors also received an EV while two cars were made available, on a managed basis, to the wider community.  Smart chargers were installed at the homes of all 15 participants on the trial.