Solar Powered Smart Cycling Sensation

Central to the County Development Plan is an aspiration to be carbon neutral so it looks to energy future proof the county through reduced dependence on fossil fuels.  dlr’s Public Sector exemplar role on energy and pro-active actions in environmental, social and economic sustainability has been recognised by being shortlisted in the Public Sector Leadership Category of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Awards. dlr has improved its energy efficiency by 32.4% based on 2018 data.

Leading the way in dual usage municipal infrastructure, dlr installed the first public lighting poles to be used for charging Electric Vehicles. 40% of public lighting in the county has been upgraded to LED and the aim is 50% by year end. LED upgrades have taken place in the dlr Leisure Centres, Community Centres and libraries in 2018-2019. A pilot for an SEAI/Energy Supplier/Credit Union loan for home energy upgrades was first trialled with dlr staff and is now being rolled out nationwide. dlr was the first Dublin Local Authority to achieve full compliance with ISO 50001 certification. The SEAI Awards will be announced on Wednesday, 16 October where winners will be named.

Approximately €1.1m was spent on deep retrofit energy housing upgrades over the last year to bring homes to A rating. New housing is being designed to nZEB and Passive House standards and current pilots include deep energy retrofits of different house types that can be replicated elsewhere.

dlr has won the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland Sustainability Award for the last three years. Andrée Dargan, the County Architect and the Energy Performance Officer said “A World nZEB Forum 'Climate Action through nearly zero energy buildings' will take place in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown this November as the national nZEB standard comes into force. Once again dlr is at the forefront in promoting best energy efficient building practices”.

dlr is running a free home energy improvements seminar including information on SEAI grants on Sunday 13th October in the LexIcon Studio, Dún Laoghaire as part of the Open House Dublin programme from 12-2pm and 2-4pm (the first seminar starts at 12 noon and it will be repeated at 2pm).
ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Communications Office
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

Editor Notes:

Features of the solar powered smart bench:

Two electrical sockets provide energy for charging electric bicycles, laptops and other electronic devices.  The facility includes an air compressor, a bike rack, bike repair tools, two wireless charging pads and two charging ports for wired phones. The sensors will collect data including temperature, humidity, device charging counters, energy production and consumption, internet connections, bicycle parking counter and electrical bicycle charger counter.

2019 Finalists in SEAI Energy Awards