Irish consumer electrical goods firm Glen Dimplex is to invest €40m in the establishment of a new R&D group in Co Louth that will be focused on smart heating technologies of the future. The move will create 25 jobs.
The facility is part of a €40m investment programme by Glen Dimplex in renewable energy technologies at its operations in Dunleer, Co Louth.
Currently employing 50 R&D engineers, the number employed at the new facility will increase to 75 in the near term.
The facility will focus on developing world-leading renewable heating technologies for the utilities sector worldwide.
The industrial firm is positioning itself to capitalise on the world’s move towards a decarbonised electricity system driven by wind and solar PV-generated electricity.
The company recently launched a quantum space and water heating system that results in a 27pc savings in running costs compared with traditional night storage systems.
It also launched an A-class air source high temperature heat pump to replace oil heating systems and which can reduce annual energy costs for homes by up to €1,000.
The beginning of a transformational journey for energy
The target market for these technologies is a direct replacement for oil central heating systems.
Glen Dimplex is currently collaborating on a major R&D project entitled ENERNET Ireland focused on smart grid renewable-energy technologies with partners including Intel, EirGrid, ESB, Airtricity and the Energy Institute at University College Dublin.
The aim of the collaboration is to develop technologies to remotely manage a population of homes with smart electric thermal storage systems (SETS).
“The world’s energy sector is where the telecommunications and IT industries were 25 years ago – at the beginning of a transformational journey,” Glen Dimplex chairman and CEO Sean O’Driscoll said.
“All future energy scenarios anticipate increased renewables and increased usage of electricity for heating.
“Our commitment to innovation in renewable electric heating technologies will be one of the catalysts to bring about this transformational change,” O’Driscoll added.
