Green Limerick: Old builds get energy injection

AN EU-funded project which will see historical buildings in Limerick be among those retrofitted to enhance their energy efficiency has been launched.

As part of the Support to the Renovation Wave - Deep Energy Renovation of Historic Buildings in Ireland project, a professional training programme was initiated by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The objective of the programme is to increase the state’s capacity for energy retrofitting of public sector historic and heritage buildings.

The training will upskill public sector personnel and allow the state to increase its capacity for energy performance improvement works to traditional buildings.

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The training programme is also supported by Limerick City and County Council and funded by the EU via the Technical Support Instrument.

The Technical Support provider, Trinomics, was appointed by the European Commission and worked alongside the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) to develop and deliver the training programme.

The three-day training events are scattered, one which took place on January 17, another on January 24 and finally, February 7.

President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane said: “Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and this partnership between TUS, the OPW, Limerick City and County Council and private sector bodies enables the State to effectively address the skills gap in the area of retrofitting historical and cultural buildings.

“We are creating a model of partnership and innovation, as well as leveraging international best practice.

“Initiatives like this are not only going to equip participants of this training event with the skills needed to address energy conservation in our historic buildings, but it also strengthens capacity to collectively meet the demands of heritage conservation.”

Energy retrofitting of historic buildings is more complex than modern buildings due to several factors, including the hygrothermal behaviour of traditional building material and the need to preserve heritage value.

The training includes presentations by 35 eminent speakers to discuss a range of topics under the themes of policy, practice and wider benefits.

Attendees include architects, engineers, surveyors, specifiers, historic building managers, and architectural conservation officers from the OPW and local authorities, as well as representatives from relevant government departments, bodies, officers and stakeholders from architectural conservation NGOs across Ireland.

Chair of the OPW, John Conlon, said: “This invaluable training will better equip our professionals to assist the government in meeting its targets as set out in its National Renovation Strategy and the National Development Plan to reduce energy emissions from buildings.

“I am very proud that the OPW is delivering this training in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) through funding received from the European Union.”
Buildings are the largest energy consumers in Europe with 40% energy usage.