Renewable Energies Seminar
The very topical subject of Renewable Energies was the theme of a breakfast seminar the Franco-Irish Chamber organized jointly with Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Athema on the 25th June at the Cercle Interallié in Paris.
The seminar entitled
"France-Ireland: Shared Perspectives on Innovation and Renewable Energies"
was opened by the Mary Coughlan, T.D., Ireland’s Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
A Green New Deal that aims to establish Ireland as a leader in certain green technologies is a centrepiece of the Irish government’s ‘smart economy’ strategy to stimulate the economy, according to the Minister.
"A smart economy is a green economy," said Minister Coughlan. "Putting energy efficiency at the heart of this strategy will protect us from the inevitable rise in the cost of energy ‘inputs’ and the pollution ‘outputs’ arising from our economic activity."
Following her speech, James Ives from OpenHydro, focused on a new submarine turbine the company has developed in Ireland, and which is being used in a pilot project with EDF in Brittany to provide a small town with electricity.
Robert Mc Carthy from IBM the explained to the audience the importance of building "intelligent systems that change the way entire industries operate".
Finally, Martin Volatier from Athema, considered the challenges and opportunities of financing Renewable Energies. He explained to the audience the different sources of financing according to the needs.
At the end of this very informative and stimulating conference, the 80 participants from France and Ireland were able to exchange views and discuss opportunities in this sector in the elegant "Salon Marc de Beaumont" at the Cercle de l’Union Interalliée.
Pictures by Ingrid Hoffmann
