Electric.ie January/February 2022

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 43 I reland should take a leadership role in the development of a new ‘supergrid’ that would coordinate energy supply across Europe and drive the reduction in global carbon emissions, according to Engineers Ireland. Launching a new report on Ireland’s digital future, the body has said Ireland is ideally positioned to play a leadership role in creating a new European smart grid that could coordinate the national back-up systems of countries to support renewable energy usage across the continent. The new Engineers Ireland report, ‘The State of Ireland 2021: Infrastructure and a digital future’ , recommends that Ireland needs to expedite the National Broadband Plan, implement the National Digital Strategy, secure its own energy grid, and invest more in research and development to position the nation as a global digital leader. The report highlights that Ireland is currently performing well in many digital areas. The World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2021, published by the Institute for Management Development (IMD), ranks Ireland 19th worldwide. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), published by the European Commission, ranks Ireland 5th highest among countries in the EU, behind Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. However, to take a leading position in these rankings and better prepare Ireland for the digital needs of the future, the report says Ireland can still do more to Industry News Ireland should lead on new 'supergrid' to drive carbon reductions and energy security - Engineers Ireland ർ Engineers Ireland report calls for quicker national broadband rollout, the implementation of the national digital strategy and more investment in R&D. improve its digital environment and become more competitive globally. Infrastructure improvements are critical to encouraging positive developments in the digital space, as is further investment in higher education to support the labour needs that are required to build this infrastructure, according to the report. The key recommendations from the report are: 1. Expedite the National Broadband Plan • Prioritise more populated areas for the rollout of the plan • Investigate the viability of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband as an interim broadband solution for rural communities • Offer subsidies (through for example, a tax credit) for satellite broadband while the network is being built 2. National Digital Strategy • Publish and implement the forthcoming National Digital Strategy, (building on its first phase). It is needed to provide a whole-of-Government approach to supporting the digital sector and encouraging digitalisation across all areas of business and society 3. Secure Ireland’s energy grid and supply to ensure energy security • Expedite construction of green energy networks • Expand the capacity of interconnectors to other countries 4. Invest more in Research and Development • Offer more support for entrepreneurs and early-stage investors • Encourage spin-out companies from third-level education through more investment in technology transfer • Implement in full the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2019-2024 • Educate businesses and the general public about the need for cybersecurity professionals • Expand tax credits for companies to undergo R&D in Ireland In addition to the recommendations, the report provides an overview of digital technologies that are being implemented in Ireland. These overviews include, but are not limited to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital construction, and Industry 4.0. As part of its State of Ireland series on the country’s infrastructure, this Engineers Ireland report aims to contribute to the debate on Ireland’s future, to stimulate that debate and to recommend actions needed for the future prosperity of Irish society as well as informing the general public. Link to full report below.. www.engineersireland.ie/Professionals/News-Insights/Campaigns-and-policies/Reports/The-State-of-Ireland