KORE is actively seeking projects in the commercial sector to participate in the 2020 Better Energy Communities Scheme. Ireland’s built environment accounts for about 12.5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions due to our over-reliance on fossil fuels, and with our CO2 emissions at 58 per cent above the EU average, it is time we took advantage of the opportunities presented to us by government bodies such as the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and upgrade our commercial premises to be more energy efficient. Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2019 sets out targets for 2030 where we must improve our building energy ratings, decrease our use of fossil fuels and come in line with EU demands for renewable energy as our primary source. SEAI’s sustainable energy community network encompasses mentorship, support, technical knowledge and the ability to apply for grant funding of up to 30 per cent for commercial premises under the Better Energy Communities (BEC) scheme. These scheme’s aim to increase the number of houses undertaking a deep retrofit by 500 per cent in the coming years. Measures performed on these schemes include insulation upgrades, lighting upgrades, heat pump systems and installation, solar PV installation and high efficiency boiler upgrades. KORE is one of the facilitators of the scheme where it has worked with SEAI in performing very successful retrofit work on more than 4,000 houses, numerous commercial premises and community buildings over the past five years. KORE is actively seeking projects in the commercial sector to participate in the 2020 Better Energy Communities Scheme. Grant funding of up to 30 per cent is available to help offset the costs. Businesses that participate enjoy long-term benefits including reduced energy spend, fast payback on return on investment, accelerated capital allowance, and a positive impact on the local community and environment.

Successful commercial projects

[caption id="attachment_51442" align="alignright" width="448"] 2017 Cavan Better Energy Communities Scheme.[/caption] KORE was the lead applicant on the 2017 Cavan Better Energy Communities Scheme. The scheme included major upgrade works at Airpacks Ltd for both the office and factory saving in excess of 500,000 kWh. Measures included boiler upgrade for manufacturing steam supply for the whole plant (which also monitors water and diesel usage), LED lighting upgrade for the complete facility including the exterior, factory and office, heat pump system for office space heating, cavity wall insulation to insulate the office space, EcoDrive training for all transport drivers and a new water monitoring process. Water metering enabled Airpacks to identify problems and leaks, saving 1.3 million litres of water. Airpacks has prepared a monitoring and verification plan to ensure these savings are recorded and verified for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and will last into the future. [caption id="attachment_51437" align="alignright" width="448"] Barleystone Paving, Kingscourt, Co Cavan, received external and interior LED lighting upgrades.[/caption] Below are the annual energy savings in kWh and euro, these figures are based on Year 1 savings, and will continue to produce savings year on year. Another business that participated in the 2017 scheme was Barleystone Paving in Kingscourt, Co Cavan, which received a new energy efficient curing chamber, LED lighting upgrade and EcoDrive training. [caption id="attachment_51443" align="alignright" width="448"] Barleystone Paving in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan.[/caption] Below are the annual energy savings in kWh and euro, these figures are based on Year 1 savings, and will continue to produce savings year on year. Not all businesses received larger measures such as boilers or heat pumps. Many companies looked at their most used energy source and upgraded this first before moving onto other measures.[caption id="attachment_51473" align="alignright" width="448"] Shaws Department Stores, Co Carlow.[/caption] The most popular upgrade is lighting, where LED lighting is installed for sustainability and long-term savings. These companies are continuing to work with us on this year’s scheme to upgrade other energy intensive equipment. The two businesses below participated in the 2018 Better Energy Communities and saved.

Futureproof your business with KORE retrofit today

[caption id="attachment_51440" align="alignright" width="448"] Letterkenny Shopping Centre.[/caption] Upgrades in commercial retrofits will substantially reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, energy usage and related carbon emissions. [caption id="attachment_51438" align="alignright" width="448"] Shaws Department Store, Waterford city received LED lighting upgrades in the 2019 Better Energy Communities scheme.[/caption] KORE works with businesses of all sizes and types from manufacturing to commercial to office blocks throughout the country under the Better Energy Communities Scheme to enable this process to be seamless, hugely beneficial to all stakeholders, affordable but most importantly, to highlight the long term benefits for a business as the renewable nature of the upgrades ensures sustainable savings for the future. For more information on how your business could receive up to 30 per cent grant funding for energy efficiency works contact our retrofit team on 049 437 4002, or visit our website today.