The RenewableNI and A&L Goodbody September renewable energy seminar focused on energy storage.
We were joined by Energy Storage Ireland as we looked at Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) as a solution to dispatch down.
Speakers at the seminar were Dave McGowan, SONI Ltd; Sara Tinsley, Energia Renewables; Bobby Smith, Energy Storage Ireland and John Palmer, A&L Goodbody.
The event included an extended networking hot buffet lunch.
David McGowan
Head of Future Power Systems, SONI
Dave McGowan is the Head of Future Power Systems in SONI, having previously held the role of Head of Power System Insights and Research for EirGrid Group. He has over 20 years of experience in the electricity industry and academia.
Dave’s function is responsible for energy economics and future operational policy, leading on the long-term power system adequacy planning studies for the TSO at a local and at a European level, as well as the coordination of SONI’s innovation and research strategy, including engagement with academia and industry. Dave is a member of the System Development Committee within the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSOE).
Bobby Smith,
Head of Energy Storage Ireland
View Bobby’s LDES presentation.
Bobby Smith is Head of Energy Storage Ireland, a representative body for the energy storage industry in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Since 2019, Bobby has worked with ESI members and policy makers to promote the development of energy storage on the island. In previous roles, Bobby worked as Grid Manager in Wind Energy Ireland and as an analyst in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities where he was involved in areas such as electricity networks policy, security of supply and the development of the DS3 ancillary services market arrangements.
Sara Tinsley BSc, DipTP, MRTPI
RenewableNI Deputy Chair, Energia Renewables
View the RenewableNI LDES slides.
A Chartered Town Planner, Sara is responsible for Energia’s team managing planning and environmental matters across Ireland, supporting the development of wind, solar, battery storage, hydrogen production, and other renewable technologies.
Prior to joining Energia Renewables, Sara worked in private consultancy and has extensive experience of the development industry, advancing schemes for a range of major clients including energy companies.
Sara is outgoing Chair of the RenewableNI Planning Working Group and sits on the Planning Committee for Wind Energy Ireland. She is a Committee member of the Planning and Environmental Law Association for Northern Ireland and also sits on University of Ulster’s UPLAN Advisory Group.
John Palmer
Partner, A&L Goodbody
View John’s LDES presentation.
John Palmer is a partner in A&L Goodbody’s Corporate department in Belfast. He is a projects lawyer with over 10 years’ experience in the Irish Energy sector advising on a range of renewable technologies including onshore wind, solar, hydro and bioenergy. His clients include a range of international developers as well as equity and debt funders.
John is a regular speaker at industry events and provides specialised in-house training to a number of financial institutions in the funding of renewable energy projects. John is qualified to practice in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
