Online energy laboratory
October 1st 2009

An online energy training laboratory, the first of its kind in Ireland, has formally opened at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT). The laboratory has state of the art renewable energy generation and dissipation systems, which are fully functional and accessible online, all geared towards upskilling, training and research, and thereby fulfilling Government policy on sustainable energy and reducing CO2 emissions.

Renewable Energy Systems in the laboratory include Solar (thermal, photovoltaic), Biomass / biofuel systems, Geo thermal heat pumps, Air source heatpumps,Wind turbines (pending planning), and Heat recovery systems.

"Accessing indigenous sources of non-fossil fuel based energy is critical for Ireland's competitiveness.

One of the challenges of the future is ensuring the correct design, installation and operation of renewable energy systems." explains Dr Tom Roche, designer of the lab and Head of the Dept of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, GMIT.