This October the DaysE chain of partners from business and community life came together for an event to celebrate the success of their project which was grant aided through the Better Energy Community 2015 (BEC) supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Representatives from Camphill Communities Ireland, DaysE, industry sponsors including contractors and utility company sponsor SSE Airtricity, SEAI and Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency (CKEA) all enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on a job well done.
Colm Byrne, DaysE Founder explains the concept of DaysE by giving an example.
The Newpark Hotel implemented significant energy efficient measures during 2015. These resulted in 20% savings in thermal energy use. The units of energy saved were verified by DaysE and the hotel management pledged this quantity of units of energy towards the cost of energy upgrades in Camphill Communities in the county.
Energy credits are generated by energy savings and can be of value to utility companies. Utility companies are obligated to assist in Ireland reaching a 20% cut in energy use by 2020 and in some cases will purchase energy credits to help achieve their targets. The Newpark Hotel’s energy credits, to continue with Colm’s example, were purchased by SSE Airtricity, the energy credits partner for the scheme . The resulting funds were put towards the cost of energy efficiency measures in Camphill Communities. Oisin Burke, SSE Airtricity, was on hand for the symbolic handover of the cheques to the beneficiary Camphill Communities of County Kilkenny.
Mark Dunne, General Manager of the Newpark Hotel describes their involvement in the project as a ‘no-brainer’. He continues
We have exceeded our projected savings by almost 50%, reducing our energy spend significantly. To be able to support Camphill communities by donating energy credits is the icing on the cake for us.
DaysE now plans to take the model global and is planning energy upgrades for schools and villages in Tanzania.