I've read through the the inaugural EirGrid Annual Renewable Report (PDF) and am reasonably reassured that they are serious about achieving Ireland's 40% renewable sourced electricity by 2020 target.

Having been involved in corporate communications, I am aware these documents can contain a lot of waffle and spin and I am also not technically qualified to judge how much real progress they are making in addressing the technical challenges involved.

Some of the key enablers - to 2020 and beyond - appear to be:

1. The development of a European supergrid, of which the North Seas Countries' Offshore Grid Initiative, and in particular the Irish sea, module is a key early component.

2. Improved demand/supply planning and grid management software development including a Wind Security Assessment Tool (WSAT)

3. Development of smarter grids and metering systems

4. Development of less intermittent renewable sources such as water pump storage, hydro, wave, tidal, waste and biomass sources to provide load balancing assistance (solar really isn't an economic option in Ireland for the foreseeable future)

5. Development of multi-grid spot and forward electricity trading markets - of which the Ireland/N. Ireland SEMO initiative appears to be an early precursor

6. Greater development/deployment of electrical cars, goods and public transport systems - trains, trams, electric vans and buses etc. and battery/fuel cell operated systems generally which can be charged at off peak times.

Anybody else got any ideas which need to be added to the mix?

Index of Frank's Diaries