ESB – Smart Networks Strategy

Date: Mon 08^th February, 2010
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo
(also available via webcast - recording access instructions below)

About the speakers:
Paul Hickey has a primary degree in Electrical Engineering from University College Dublin and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the same college. He has worked in the Networks business in both Transmission and Distribution for thirty years. His current role is Manager, Commercial, Regulation and Strategy at ESB Networks.

About the event: In recent years a huge amount of interest has arisen in Smart Networks. Barack Obama included the roll out of smart networks as part of his stimulus package. There is also a lot of debate throughout Europe on this topic. This presentation will outline ESB Networks strategy for developing smart networks. It will describe work already carried out in this area and the challenges still to be addressed. The integrated nature of the strategy will be outlined, which, when implemented will bring benefits of enhanced customer value, lower CO2 emissions and improved security of supply. ESB has a number of technical problems to address to facilitate the full roll out of smart networks and some of these R&D projects will be outlined.

Admission: Free. All welcome.


Click here to access recording.
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Timber- Working with a Sustainable, Structural Material

Date: 18th January, 2010
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo
(webcast recordings now available)

About the speakers:
Dr. Raymond Gilfillan has recently retired as an academic from the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering at Queen’s University, Belfast. He continues to act as a consultant to the Technology Centre at the university that offers services to industry. He is a chartered structural engineer and fellow of the Institute of Wood Science with many years experience of timber-based research and engineering practice.

Link to Recording

Colin Bell BSc,PG Dip,MSc Arch is a Sligo based architect with extensive experience in timber post and beam construction. He has completed a wide range of work in this field including the Organic Centre in Co. Leitrim, and various private projects in the North West.

Link to Recording

About the event: Timber is gaining increasing recognition as a sustainable structural material. However, unlike steel and concrete, timber is a natural material, and therefore does not have consistent structural properties. This lecture will take a look at the characteristics of timber and the challenges the material poses in relation to structural design, and will present an overview of the practicalities of this type of construction, including design of elements, sourcing timber, dealing with the Irish building regulations, jointing techniques, durability, thermal mass, advantages and disadvantages, etc. Reference will be made to various building projects ranging from houses to churches, and also to some recent research work relevant to practice.