ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 7 Industry News Hitachi Energy expands in Ireland, drives innovation and sustainability Expanding frontiers: A conversation with Andrew Rothwell Hitachi Energy’s expansion in Ireland is remarkable. Starting its journey in 2018/19, the company began with 40 staff members in Dublin and Waterford. Today, their workforce is over 70, with strategic of ces in Liffey Valley, St. Stephen’s Green, and Waterford. “We have established Liffey Valley as a hub for our operations and service departments. A second office in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, mainly looks after sales for the utilities,” explains Rothwell. “Waterford serves as a regional office for our transformer business with a focus on research and development. These locations are vital to our operations in Ireland, allowing us to collaborate efficiently with the key industry players.” Core business and evolution Hitachi Energy’s purpose revolves around advancing the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, exible and secure. As the pioneering technology leader, the company has been installing ESB grid connection solutions throughout Ireland. Notably, their focus has expanded due to the growing ‒Hitachi Energy is at the forefront of the energy transition in Ireland, advancing the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, flexible, and secure in line with its purpose of advancing a sustainable energy future for all. In this article, we explore the dynamic growth of Hitachi Energy in Ireland, with insights from Andrew Rothwell, Operating Unit Manager, and Frank Burke, Country Service Manager, shedding light on their pivotal roles. demand for hydrogen and e-mobility solutions. “E-Mobility and renewables are a top priority to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future” Rothwell says. “Over the past 10 months, we have been undergoing a transition period, which has involved collaboration with our factory in Italy and our center of competence in Switzerland.” Powering Sustainability: The Role of Energy Storage Hitachi Energy is pivotal in Ireland’s transition toward sustainable energy solutions. Their energy storage products, including advanced battery systems, enhance energy management, integrate renewable sources, and stabilize the grid. This becomes essential as Ireland seeks to increase its renewable energy. “Our storage products enable efficient energy management, integration of renewable sources, and grid stabilization,” Andrew Rothwell, Operating Unit Manager, Hitachi Energy in Ireland. Hitachi Energy's new offices are in Liffey Valley. Rothwell highlights. “While utility companies often are in a different situation to the private sector, data centers and their management have made significant advancements.” Collaborating with data centers: Navigating a new landscape To alleviate the load on the utility grid, Hitachi Energy is exploring options to use renewable energy, like hydrogen, with data centers. Due to challenges posed by EirGrid’s limited new connection agreements, data centers now require renewables to secure connections. “We are currently in discussions with the data center sector exploring renewable energy solutions, including hydrogen generation and the
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