Context
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is a government agency responsible for the conservation and development of Ireland’s inland fisheries resources. As part of a national commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, IFI faces legally mandated targets: a 51 per cent reduction in CO2 equivalent (CO2eq) and a 50 per cent improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. However, tracking progress towards these goals proved challenging due to the dispersed nature of IFI’s operations. With numerous buildings and vehicles scattered across the country, collecting and analysing energy data was a cumbersome and time-consuming process.
Objectives
IFI’s objective was to centralise energy monitoring and reporting. In late 2021, a project was launched to develop a comprehensive energy management system. This system integrates data from various sources, including divisional management structures, a register of opportunities, fleet sections, and individual gas and electricity meters at each property. Additionally, functionalities for uploading fuel bills, monitoring solar PV performance and tracking national energy costs across various fuels were incorporated. To ensure user adoption, the design process emphasised co-creation and openness, fostering input and feedback from all levels of IFI.
Implementation
The implemented system provides real-time national energy monitoring, centralising data across all IFI facilities. This streamlines the monitoring of energy usage, encompassing solar production, electric vehicle charging, fossil fuel consumption and electricity use. Armed with this data, IFI can identify high-energy users and prioritise remedial actions. The system’s automation features significantly reduced staff workload and improve user buy-in. Data collection is crucial for IFI, enabling them to measure project success and identify areas for improvement.
The project has yielded significant results. One property, for instance, reduced its annual energy consumption by 80 per cent after retrofitting based on data insights. Overall, IFI has achieved a 44.5 per cent national reduction in energy consumption compared to the 2016–2018 baseline. Beyond efficiency improvements, IFI has invested in renewable energy sources. With 18 solar PV systems installed, over 452 400 kWh has been generated and over 133 000 KgCO2e prevented from entering the atmosphere. These achievements are actively communicated by IFI through social media platforms. The system also facilitates benchmarking energy use across facilities, allowing for internal and external comparisons. Finally, the system provides instant feedback on the effectiveness of implemented renewable energy and efficiency projects.