On the 23rd November the Sustainable Innovation in Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat pumps (SIRACH) Network will be hosted by the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) in Cork.

IERC is an industry-led collaborative research centre specialising in integrated sustainable energy systems. The centre’s research programmes focus on smart cities and sustainable communities; low carbon heating and cooling; monitoring, measurement and analysis of energy and embedded and micro generation systems.

The SIRACH meeting will focus on the opportunities and solutions offered by thermal storage in smart energy systems. The day will open with an overview of the Centre’s research activities from executive director Tony Day. Gareth Davies of London South Bank University will review benefits and challenges of integrated cooling and heating in cities. Alberto Coronas, president of the International Institute of Refrigeration Commission on heat pumps and energy recovery, will explore heat recovery potential of thermal storage across Europe. Neil Hewitt from Ulster University will give a talk outlining practical solutions for the efficient use of heat pumps and thermal energy storage. Donal Finn of University College Dublin will provide a case study based on demand analysis in all-electric domestic dwellings. Finally, Mick McAeever of the Dublin Institute of Technology will look at how phase change materials can be used as part of renewable energy systems.

A tour of the innovative International Energy Research Centre (http://www.ierc.ie) is included in the programme. IERC is one of the largest funded technology centres in Ireland, with a portfolio of €5m worth of collaborative research projects addressing the challenges of providing secure, affordable and sustainable energy services.

The event is free to attend but places should booked in advance at www.sirach.org.uk.