Digiweb, Ireland's top rated Broadband Provider, with 6000+ excellent reviews, are proud to announce the upcoming launch of its ultra-fast 2Gb broadband service, delivering cutting-edge speeds to households and businesses across the country. This new service offers an unprecedented leap in connectivity, making Digiweb one of the few providers who offer 2Gb speeds, revolutionising users broadband experience.

Designed for today's data-driven world, Digiweb's 2Gb broadband caters to the growing demand for high-speed, reliable internet - from seamless 4K streaming and smooth online gaming to remote working, video conferencing, and smart home technology integration.

Key Features of Digiweb's 2Gb Broadband:

Unrivalled Speed: Download and upload speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second (2000Mbps), making it the fastest broadband services in Ireland.

Future-Proof Technology: Delivered through SIRO & National Broadband Ireland (NBI) infrastructure, ensuring top-tier performance and reliability for years to come.

Enhanced User Experience: Perfect for busy households with multiple devices, enabling faster streaming, gaming, video conferencing, and file transfers without lag.

Business-Ready: Optimised for small businesses, remote workers, and creative professionals who require high-bandwidth connectivity for data-heavy tasks such as cloud computing, virtual meetings, and large file sharing.

Declan Campbell, Managing Director of Digiweb, expressed his excitement about this latest development:

"We're thrilled to bring 2Gb broadband to Irish homes and businesses, setting a new standard for broadband connectivity in Ireland. As the demand for fast, reliable broadband continues to grow, we are committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of our customers, whether they're streaming, working, or staying connected with loved ones all whilst providing exceptional customer service".

The introduction of 2Gb broadband underlines Digiweb's continued commitment to technological innovation, providing Irish consumers with access to the latest advancements in fibre technology.

Digiweb's 2Gb broadband service will soon be launched in locations across Ireland. Interested customers can register their interest by visiting Digiweb's website at https://digiweb.ie/2gig-broadband-launch/

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The 2024 edition of the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa reached an exciting climax today with seven dynamic South African startups showcasing their innovations at Dublin's Dogpatch Labs, Ireland's leading startup and innovation hub.

The event marks the end of an intensive accelerator week in Dublin, which drew tech leaders, investors, and political heavyweights, including South Africa's Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, Ireland's Minister for State of International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming, and South Africa's Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield.

The initiative, which kicked off in 2022, is a collaboration between the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). With Dogpatch Labs in Dublin and Johannesburg's Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct as key implementation partners, the 2024 program attracted over 350 applicants from South Africa's tech scene, narrowing down to seven exceptional finalists for this year's showcase.

As the startups took the stage, the air buzzed with innovation. From cutting-edge FinTech and blockchain solutions to impact-driven ideas tackling sustainability and health challenges, the finalists put forward bold visions for the future of South African tech.

The showcase was not just a pitch - it was a window into the future. Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Paul Mashatile, impressed by the calibre of talent on display, highlighted the importance of the initiative: "We are very proud of the rapid growth of the South African tech sector and our innovative startups. We are grateful to Ireland for welcoming some of our best and brightest as they develop and strengthen the links between our two tech systems.

The unique insights gained in Dublin this week will continue to place South Africa as a player on the world's tech stage."

Austin Gormley, Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa, has praised the initiative, stating: "We are pleased to once again welcome the finalists of this year's Irish Tech Challenge to Ireland as part of this dynamic program. This initiative not only provides a platform for South African startups to engage with Ireland's thriving tech ecosystem but also creates valuable opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and access to international markets."

Michelle Geere, one of the finalists and the founder of Adbot, was elated by the experience: "I truly appreciate the opportunity to be in Ireland to showcase our home-grown South African innovation, and to gain feedback from both an Irish and global perspective. We now have plans to create a presence for our company in Ireland and the relationships we have developed over the week will go a long way in helping us to take these important steps."

Dogpatch Labs' Entrepreneur in Residence, Hesus Inoma, ended with an optimistic outlook: "We are honoured to have hosted an incredible cohort of startups in Ireland this week. We are proud of the programme as it truly speaks to the strengths of Ireland and South Africa and all that the ecosystems have to offer to the thriving tech sector. We look forward to following the ripple effects that this initiative will ignite in the next few years and decades for both nations."

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The ADAPT Research Ireland Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology released its latest impact report today, showcasing the Centre's significant contributions to the Irish economy and society valued at over €1.1 billion. Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers, officially launched the report, praising ADAPT for its groundbreaking research and collaboration across diverse sectors and acknowledged the Centre's role as a key player in defending democracy in a digital age.

ADAPT has become a key player in addressing societal challenges, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth in Ireland through its multidisciplinary research platform. Leveraging €42 million in Government investment, ADAPT has delivered a 27.5-fold return, translating into over €1.1 billion in economic impact, solidifying its position as a leading global hub for AI research.

Headquartered at Trinity College Dublin, ADAPT is one of Ireland's flagship research centres funded by the Irish Government through Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland, and formerly funded under Science Foundation Ireland.

Launching the report, Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers TD, said: "This report clearly demonstrates ADAPT's remarkable impact to the Irish economy and society more generally, in less than a decade. In a time where misinformation spreads rapidly, ADAPT's work on AI and digital content is vital in combating this challenge.

By advancing AI literacy and developing tools to detect deep fakes and misleading content, ADAPT ensures that technology strengthens trust and transparency in society. Their research equips individuals and institutions with the means to critically assess information, making them a key player in defending democracy in a digital world."

Celine Fitzgerald, CEO of Research Ireland, welcomed the report, saying: "In a competitive global landscape, research centres must show their value across a wide range of areas. This internationally peer-reviewed Centre Network has had a transformative economic and societal impact on Ireland.

ADAPT exemplifies this by combining world-class research with a strong commitment to societal good, as demonstrated by award winning engaged research and their public engagement programme, which has connected with over 507,000 people."

ADAPT has made a global impact through collaborations with 260 partners across 38 countries, positioning Ireland as a leader in AI research and innovation. The Centre has hosted 64 international conferences, which attracted nearly 24,000 delegates from around the world to Ireland. These conferences showcased cutting edge AI research and generated €38 million in economic activity through delegate spending on accommodation, dining, transport, and local services.

The Centre employs over 300 highly skilled professionals and has supported the creation of 1,039 new research jobs in Ireland. It has nurtured 22 high-potential startups such as MoovAhead, SoapBox Labs, and Biologit, which have collectively generated more than 144 jobs and attracted over €340 million in multinational investment. These companies are boosting Ireland's tech ecosystem and are at the forefront of fields such as immersive learning, digital mental health support, and voice AI.

Professor John D Kelleher, Director of the ADAPT Centre at Trinity College Dublin, said: "The potential of generative AI to reshape our world is limitless, but the path it takes depends on the choices we make now. At ADAPT, we're fortunate to have a diverse community of researchers examining both the opportunities and risks of this technology.

By drawing on world-class Irish-based researchers from a range of disciplines such as data science, AI, clinical sciences, and the humanities, our research focuses on how AI will shape critical areas such as work, education, culture, and healthcare."

Key highlights of the report published today include:

Total Economic Impact: ADAPT's activities from 2015 to 2023 generated an economic impact of over €1.1 billion, r...

NVIDIA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Equal1, a leader in silicon powered quantum computing, to collaboratively work together on furthering Quantum Computing.

NVIDIA and Equal1 have agreed to collaborate on Quantum technology use cases, business models and proof of concept, with a particular focus on the integration and validation of quantum-classical infrastructure for cloud and data centre deployments.

This collaboration combines Equal1's world-leading hybrid silicon classical quantum hardware, and its UnityQ quantum system on chip with NVIDIA's CUDA-Q quantum software platform to pioneer the future of quantum computing

"We see NVIDIA CUDA-Q as a leading hybrid quantum classical software platform, and we are delighted to collaborate with NVIDIA as we extend our support for and integration with CUDA-Q" stated Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1. "We are particularly excited about the opportunity this presents to work with joint customers who see the potential of hybrid quantum classical silicon compute to deliver scalable quantum computing."

The MoU collaboration was announced at NVIDIA's headquarters in Silicon Valley yesterday, as part of an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the West Coast of the USA, led by Ireland's Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment Peter Burke TD.

Commenting on the collaboration, Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said: "Equal1 is a pioneering company that is revolutionising industries with its cutting-edge quantum computing technology. Enterprise Ireland has supported Equal1 from the start of their journey and I was delighted to witness this very significant milestone today. This collaborative agreement between NVIDIA and Equal1 has the potential to unlock major technological advances."

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Microsoft announced today that it has entered into an agreement with ESB that will see its data centre power control and administration building in Dublin be powered by zero emissions green hydrogen power. The landmark pilot project is the first time that Hydrogen Fuel Cells will be used to provide electricity to a Microsoft data centre in Europe, supplying up to 250kW of clean energy to Microsoft's Dublin campus over an eight-week period.

ESB's zero-emission Hydrogen Fuel Cells convert stored green hydrogen to electricity, with the only by-product being pure water. Designed to replace diesel generators, Hydrogen Fuel Cells produce no carbon emissions or harmful local air pollutants such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, which can have significant health and environmental impacts.

The groundbreaking pilot is part of a series planned by ESB in 2024 and 2025 to showcase the versatility of hydrogen fuel cell technology in different power applications. The pilot is the first step in demonstrating the potential impact that hydrogen energy can have in helping to decarbonise the strategically important data centre sector in Ireland.

Commenting on the launch of the pilot, Eoin Doherty, Vice President, EMEA Regional Leader, Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation, said: "The green hydrogen project we're launching with ESB is a pioneering first for Microsoft in Europe, demonstrating how zero-emissions hydrogen can be harnessed to power our digital lives. If scaled successfully, it could provide new ways of advancing sustainability in our sector and beyond."

Lavinia Morris, General Manager, Microsoft's EMEA Data Centre Operations, commented further: "This pilot project is another important step in our journey to transition to carbon-free electricity supply for our data centres, buildings, and campuses around the world. As we look to advance a more sustainable future, we hope to build on the success of this pilot project and continue to find innovative ways to decarbonise our operations."

Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, Generation and Trading, commented: "ESB believe green hydrogen will play an important role in the net zero energy system of the future. We're delighted to be working with Microsoft on this innovative pilot project that will showcase the potential for green hydrogen as part of zero emission electricity generation for data centres."

Microsoft's Hydrogen Fuel Cell pilot project, in collaboration with ESB, is aligned with the 'Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development' set out by Government in its 2022 policy statement by supporting the development of data centres that make efficient use of the electricity grid and delivering renewable energy.

Today's announcement to harness green hydrogen is one of many steps and innovations that Microsoft is bringing to the data centre sector to ensure the sustainability of its existing and future cloud and AI infrastructure. In 2020, Microsoft announced an ambitious set of goals, encompassing all global infrastructure and operations, to be a carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste company that protect ecosystems by 2030.

As well as investing in innovative technologies, Microsoft is playing a key role in helping to decarbonise the electricity grid. In November 2022, Microsoft announced new renewable energy contracts related to the development of more than 900 megawatts of onshore wind and solar energy projects in Ireland alone. The projects will see Microsoft significantly contribute to the Irish Government's 2030 corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) target.

This pilot project also builds upon Microsoft's ongoing testing and innovation in the area of hydrogen power, more of which is detailed here.

LeanBPI, the Irish digital growth consultancy for SMEs and microenterprises, today announces new research which shows that more than a quarter (26%) of businesses with fewer than 50 employees rank their level of digitalisation as low. This equates to almost 90,000 businesses in Ireland* that are struggling to digitise their operations. Amongst microenteprises - businesses with nine or fewer employees - 30% ranked their digitalisation as low.

LeanBPI carried out the research as part of its Digital Readiness Assessment, a digital fitness check for small businesses launched in May and distributed to businesses in partnership with the Local Enterprise Office Network. The assessment helps small enterprises to understand their current capabilities and benchmark them against others. It produces a readiness profile, from Pioneer to Avoider, and advises the business on next steps accordingly.

As Budget 2025 approaches, LeanBPI's research suggests a strong demand for additional digital support among small enterprises, as well as increased awareness of the supports already available. Despite 96% of respondents expressing a willingness to learn and adopt digital tools and systems, more than one-in-10 (12%) of small businesses acknowledge having no experience using digital technology to enhance their operations.

Additionally, 15% have not yet implemented digital policies, and nearly a third (31%) are only beginning to develop these policies.

Recently, the Government launched the Digital for Business initiative through the Local Enterprise Offices, providing digital consultancy services that will help businesses with 50 employees and fewer to optimise their digital systems, streamline operations, reduce paperwork, improve business results, and enhance staff retention.

It also introduced Grow Digital vouchers, which enable businesses of the same size to avail of grants of up to €5,000 for software subscriptions, training and configuration.

John O'Shanahan, managing director, LeanBPI, said: "We often talk about business being digital, but it's important to remember that small and micro enterprises account for 98.7% of businesses in Ireland and many of them are yet to realise the benefits of digitalisation.

"Our research shows a near-universal desire among small businesses to capitalise on the promise of digital, but they need guidance and support. Digital for Business, along with the Grow Digital vouchers, will therefore play a vital role in helping small businesses to become more efficient and streamlined operations. In doing so, they will support the growth of our economy, too."

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We look at the new book by Gerard Toal. See more about Oceans Rise Empires Fall: Why Geopolitics Hastens Climate Catastrophe here.

Oceans Rise Empires Fall: Why Geopolitics Hastens Climate Catastrophe, reviewed

This title definitely caught our imagination. The concept does make a lot of sense. As war rages in Ukraine you can only wonder about the environmental impacts of the massive level of destruction inflicted. Naturally you need to fight as another country tries to take your land, but it does show that at a wider level, how on earth can humanity deal with global climate concerns if it is still trying to invade and seize land from other countries.

This therefore is a massive problem and constraint on tackling any types of global environmental problems when different nations can not even work together.

The book covers historical considerations and contexts well, with several good and informative chapters covering the geopolitical history of what has happened already. In some ways the title's reference to oceans rising seemed almost metaphorical rather than literal. Whereas we would have been interested in a more specific description of where oceans might rise and how it could impact on particular empires.

For us the book spent longer in theoretical considerations rather than diving down into specific details and predictions of where and who might be most affected. Horses for courses perhaps.

More about the book

It is the decisive decade for climate change action, yet great power competition is surging. Geo-economic rivalries and territorial conflicts over Ukraine and Taiwan appear more important than collective action against catastrophic climate change. Why do great powers favor competition and rivalry over transnational policies to address the greatest threat humanity has ever faced?

In Oceans Rise Empires Fall, Gerard Toal identifies geopolitics as the culprit. Examining its meaning, history, and leading thinkers, he exposes the geo-ecological foundations of geopolitics and the struggles for living space that it expresses.

The book isolates three Earth-controlling practices that characterize geopolitics. The territorial control imperatives of great powers preclude collaborative behavior to address common challenges. Competing world historical missions drive rivalries and wars, like Russia's fossil-fuel-funded aggression against Ukraine. Military-industrial competition over leading edge technologies and critical minerals takes priority over collaborative decarbonization policies.

In the contest between geopolitics and sustainable climate policies, the former takes precedence - especially when competition shifts to outright conflict. In this book, Toal interrogates that relationship and its stakes for the ongoing acceleration of climate change.

About the author:

Gerard Toal is Professor of Geography at Virginia Tech and the author of numerous books, including Near Abroad (Oxford), Bosnia Remade (Oxford, co-authored) and Critical Geopolitics (Minnesota).

Advance praise for Oceans Rise Empires Fall

"Toal has produced another stunningly original and indispensable contribution to our understanding of geopolitics.

With great historical sweep and analytical insight, the book exposes how the great powers' enduring obsession with territorial defense, the projection of exceptional ideologies, and embrace of new technologies have accelerated global environmental catastrophe while insulating foreign policy and security officials from confronting the disastrous impact of their state-centered decisions."

ALEXANDER COOLEY, Claire Tow Professor of Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University, and coauthor of Exit from Hegemony: The Unraveling from the American Global Order

"In Oceans Rise Empires Fall, Gerard Toal provides a masterful analysis of the ongoing interplay between geopolitical rivalry and the natural environment. As he persuasively demonstrates, the worldwide drive for geopolitical advantage has entailed an ever-...

An Post has today launched /Imagine Ireland, a unique collection of two artist-led generative AI-designed stamps featuring crypto technology in a first ever for Ireland.

Celebrating the rich heritage of Irish life, An Post's latest stamps offer a glimpse into a possible future shaped by technology and innovation. /Imagine Ireland is the only An Post stamp issue available as both a traditional stamp and a limited-edition crypto stamp.

With the ongoing growth and development of AI transforming our world and how we communicate and express ourselves through art, An Post continues to embrace new technologies, as /Imagine Ireland marks its first form of generative art on stamps.

Collaborating with renowned Designer and AI Artist Kasia Ozmin, who crafted her visionary interpretation of an imaginary Ireland, An Post's surreal crypto stamps continue to push stamp design boundaries with Irish artists.

Commenting on An Post's first AI-Generated stamp collection, Des Morley, Chief Digital and Technology Officer An Post says, "We have a longstanding practice of applying innovation to our business - in this case, digital innovation meets one of our most traditional products; stamps. This stamp issue allows for a creative reimagining of housing and transport, blending the familiar with the fantastical to suggest new ways of living in harmony with Ireland's natural landscapes.

"As one of the largest commissioners of original art and design in Ireland through our stamp design and commercial work, we are delighted to work with Kasia Ozmin to create something which is truly unique and innovative."

Speaking on the stamp design, Designer and AI Artist, Kasia Ozmin says, "AI's place in art should be as an aid, not a replacement for human creativity. It amplifies what we, as artists, can achieve, allowing us to explore new realms of imagination and expression that were previously inaccessible.

"The concept behind these stamp images was intentionally designed for those who may be unfamiliar with generative art. At first glance, the visuals evoke recognisable Irish landscapes, but on closer inspection, they invite questions. As part of my exploration of imaginary habitats, I envisioned a place where the cutting-edge capabilities of AI blend seamlessly with the familiar Irish landscape.

This imagined world reflects a lifestyle that honours both heritage and the possibilities of the unimaginable."

Envisioning new possibilities for urban and rural settlements, the traditional print 'N' national rate stamp (€1.40), covering postage on the island of Ireland, challenges our perceptions of housing, providing a futuristic solution. The 'W' international rate stamp (€2.20) for posting worldwide, explores the future of transport in Ireland. Stamps are available to purchase online or in-store at selected post offices from 26th September 2024.

As a limited-edition collection, booklets featuring the crypto stamp are available to purchase online atanpost.com/cryptostamp. Each crypto stamp is linked to a unique Non-Fungible Token (NFT) on the Blockchain and associated with a unique PIN code. Booklets are priced at €9.00 and also contain a traditional print stamp,

Collectors and enthusiasts can claim their digital stamps by scratching the PIN code from the booklet and then follow instructions on how to store the crypto stamps in digital wallets, where the stamps can be minted, saved, and traded online until the end of 2027.

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The Award winners of the 2024 New Frontiers (Phase 2) Programme delivered by IADT Media Cube in partnership with NovaUCD were announced today.

Eleven (11) early-stage start-ups, based in the greater South Dublin area, incorporating South Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and North Wicklow, took part in the Enterprise Ireland funded programme over the last 6-months.

Following final pitches to a judging panel during a showcase event held in Dún Laoghaire, four (4) of the participating start-ups, Evogen, PolliKnow, SoloBook, and UnitMode were announced as Award winners.

Thirty-six (36) start-ups have now completed the three IADT Media Cube/NovaUCD New Frontiers Programmes (Phase 2) delivered to date.

Michelle Doyle, Senior Manager, Strategic Innovation Partnerships, NovaUCD, said, "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the four Awardees, and all the participants who have just completed our third New Frontiers Programme delivered in partnership with IADT Media Cube. The participating start-ups have the potential to grow, raise funding, create jobs and indeed scale internationally and I wish them all every success on the next steps of their entrepreneurial journeys."

The New Frontiers programme provides participating entrepreneurs with access to a comprehensive package of supports including mentorship from some of Ireland's leading business-people, funding support from Enterprise Ireland, and access to resources including desk space facilities from IADT Media Cube and NovaUCD.

Susanne L'Estrange, New Frontiers Programme Manager, IADT Media Cube, said, "These founders have successfully completed Phase 2 of the New Frontiers programme, deepening their understanding of target markets. Through meaningful engagement with prospective customers, they have developed innovative product-market solutions that address key challenges.

Today, they proudly join the esteemed New Frontiers community of founders who have completed the programme at the Institute of Art, Design + Technology."

Anna Maire Turley, Head of Entrepreneurship and HPSU Operations at Enterprise Ireland, said, "Events like today's showcase the value of New Frontiers and the benefit that it brings to all entrepreneurs going through the programme."

Evogen, which is developing a cutting-edge, data-driven platform designed to revolutionise genetic selection in dairy farming, was named winner of the One to Watch Award, sponsored by NovaUCD.

Andrew Moore, co-founder, Evogen said, "Having grown up on a farm I am passionate about transforming the genetic selection process to help dairy farmers thrive. I am delighted to have received the NovaUCD One to Watch Award at the end of this New Frontiers Programme. It's just the beginning as Evogen focuses on aligning genetics with farm environments driving greater performance and profitability for dairy farms."

PolliKnow has developed a device using advanced sensors and computer vision to measure the presence of wild insect pollinators in their natural habitats, and was named winner of the Most Likely to Succeed Award, sponsored by DLR Local Enterprise Office.

Meg Brennan, co-founder, PolliKnow said, "New Frontiers has been instrumental in developing PolliKnow. The programme has given us the time, space and expert support needed to take us to the next level on our journey."

SoloBook which is developing an AI-powered, community driven travel platform for solo travellers to have reliable information to plan and have safe adventures, was named winner of the Best Pitch Award sponsored by IADT Media Cube.

Pierre Yimbog, co-founder, SoloBook said, "I am delighted to have won the Best Pitch Award at the 2024 IADT Media Cube and NovaUCD New Frontiers Programme Showcase event.

The Showcase was an opportunity to show all the work we've put in during the past 6 months and to celebrate the conclusion of this Enterprise Ireland funded programme. Thank you to everyone that supported us along the way, including the staff, mentors, facilitator...

FuturEnergy Ireland has submitted a planning application for its first battery storage project, Ballynahone Energy Storage, to Donegal County Council. The proposed Ballynahone Energy Storage project, the first of its kind in Europe, is designed to use iron-air battery technology capable of discharging energy at its full power output for up to 100 hours when fully charged.

This first small 10MW project will be capable of storing 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of energy, which is more than half the energy capacity of Turlough Hill, while future projects in development will be capable of storing up to 8GWh.

This new form of multi-day storage is made from some of the safest, cheapest and most abundant materials on the planet: low-cost iron, water and air. The principle of operation is reversible rusting: while the battery is discharging, it breathes in oxygen from the air and converts iron metal to rust; while the battery is charging, the application of an electrical current converts the rust back to iron, and the system breathes out oxygen.

This breakthrough technology has the potential to absorb enormous amounts of surplus Irish renewable energy during times of high output and provide the renewable power back into the Irish grid system when it is needed most: for example, during extended periods of extreme weather, grid outages or low renewable generation. The battery will also simultaneously relieve grid congestion issues faced by wind and solar projects, reducing the need for new overhead power lines.

This battery technology can provide reliability and resiliency to the country's grid system while delivering energy at a low cost.

Paul Blount, Portfolio Director at FuturEnergy Ireland, says:

"Ireland's power sector decarbonisation targets are among the most ambitious of any country globally. If we are to realise these ambitions, it is not enough to simply keep building more wind and solar projects. We need new technologies with the ability to time-shift very large energy volumes at low cost if we are to fully decarbonise our power system in a manner that is affordable for consumers.

"Iron-air technology was selected by FuturEnergy Ireland following a robust procurement process. Based on the analysis completed by our team, we believe this technology has the potential to be a game-changer for the Irish power system. Form Energy, the US company behind this pioneering iron-air technology, is making a big impact in other energy markets.

It will shortly commission a high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia and recently received funding of $147 million from the US Department of Energy towards an 85MW, 8.5GWh battery storage project in Lincoln, Maine, which will be the largest battery by energy capacity in the world when delivered."

Once validated, the planning application will be available to view online at www.ballynahoneenergystorage.ie and at www.donegalcoco.ie.

For more project information, please visit www.ballynahoneenergystorage.ie.