Green Blog

Green Energy BizCamp is an event being organised in Kilkenny by the Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency and the Kilkenny Leader Partnership to promote businesses ideas / innovation and job creation in the Green Energy Sector.  The camp is an information sharing event where experienced entrepreneurs and businesses network and share experiences on developing business ideas & products.

BizCamps have been run successfully at various locations around Ireland and last year saw Kilkenny host Ireland’s first ever FoodCamp and WordCamp. These Camps are modeled on the idea of having all of the information of a normal conference but with the added value of greater networking opportunities and without the costs and strict agenda associated traditional conferences.

This will be the first ever Renewable Energy Camp to be run in Ireland and is free for those attending or speaking.  The date is 27^th May and the venue is the Hotel Kilkenny which is on the city’s ring road.   It offers an ideal opportunity to explore the business opportunities in this sector and participate in a panel discussion.

Speakers
The day is subdivided into 18 slots of 45 minutes each (3 concurrent sessions) where speakers are required to participate and present on a topic of their choice. All speakers are voluntary, share experiences and do not attempt a sales pitch. 

At present the agreed speakers include

Michael Prendergast – kilkennycereals.killure.ie
How the Governments pursuit of its renewable energy targets lead to decisions which decimated indigenous Irish renewable businesses in favour of imports.

Tom McEvoy, Lisdowney Wind Farm
Developing a windfarm project – from start to 80% completion.

Joe Heron, www.murrayconsult.ie
Community consultation on Green Energy ptojects.

Tommy Cooke, Renewable Energy Developer
Challenges in setting up an Anaerobic Digestion project.

Peter Kerry – www.carboncandc.com
International standard ISO 14064 for carbon management and brief overview of the EU mandatory emissions trading scheme.

Niall McManus, www.cosain.ie
Using of carbon credits in generating income to match LEADER funds for renewable energy projects.

Frank Gethings – www.EcoEvolution.ie
Archimedean Screw – hydro turbine overview.

Sean Ganley – www.cfgreenenergy.com
Wind turbine space in Ireland for farm, business and home owners.

Dr Edward O’Gorman – www.patentnav.eu
Overview of patents and trade marks in renewable energy area.

Simon Jones – www.aereco.ie
Business development opportunities in each area of renewable energy.

Panelists
There will be a panel discussion in the afternoon to finish off the day. The topic for the panel discussion is “Job Creation & Opportunities in the Green Energy Sector”.

The Panelists confirmed so far are:

Nick McGrath
Nick is the founder of Hybrid Energy who recently closed a successful €800,000 funding round for the provision of reliable, cost effective, and easy to maintain power solutions for off-grid telecommunications base stations worldwide. Their technology enables significant energy savings whilst simultaneously allowing companies to pursue a green strategy using renewable energy sources whether in the heart of the city or in the remotest areas of the globe.

Colm Byrne
Colm is MD at Glas Energy where he has been involved in promoting and selling renewable energy solutions since 2002. Market conditions have declined recently so Colm has had to re-think and re-invent his business.

Pat Blount
Pat is Business Development Manager for Meitheal na Gaoithe and he also owns and operators two wind farms consisting of 7 turbines.  Pat has vast experience and knowledge of the wind industry in Ireland and views on potential business and job opportunities.

Closer to the date you can access the full programme at www.energycamp.ie