EirGrid is involved in international research collaboration for several reasons: to drive value for customers through renewable energy integration, develop internal capability and expertise, and identify and attract talented employees. Some of the ways EirGrid collaborates include supporting and steering research, partnering with all-island and international projects, disseminating results, and collaborating with PhD researchers, research fellows, academics, and research centers. EirGrid also engages in partnerships and collaborations with industrial, government, and research organizations both nationally within Ireland and internationally through Horizon 2020 projects and other non-Horizon funded projects. Leading a large Horizon 2020 consortium provided key insights into the elements needed for successful international research collaboration.

1. Jonathan O’Sullivan
EirGrid’s Experience in International
Research Collaboration

2. Drive value
for customers
through RES
integration
Develop and grow
capability and expertise
Why are we involved in Research?

3. Pillars of Our Research Strategy
Supporting & Steering
Research
Identification of skilled
and talented future
employees
Engaging with Research
Experts
Continued opportunities
to learn and influence
the direction of research
Partnership with All-Island
& International Projects
Enhanced reputation as
a world-leader in the
integration of
renewables
Dissemination of Results
Creation of a workforce who are up to date with technological developments and future trends in
the industry as well as increased ability to solve the problems we experience, thus increasing the
confidence of staff

4. Academic Collaboration
Collaborating
with PhD
Researchers
and Research
Fellows
Supporting
Undergraduate
and Masters
Projects
Collaborating
with Academics
in research
centres

5. Partnerships and Collaborations:
National
• Industrial and Government Partnerships

6. Engagement with R&I organisations
Awareness of industry trends and
opportunity to gain knowledge
Awareness of research trends in EU and
opportunity to foster new project ideas
and to learn from other TSOs
Opportunity to promote and showcase
group achievements on a European stage
Strategic research partnership, leverage
EPRI’s international knowledge and
showcase world-leading work of EirGrid

7. Consortium Collaborations: International
Horizon 2020 Projects Non - Horizon Funded Projects

8. CLEAR
LEADERSHIP
SHARED
VISION
INNOVATION
TECHNICAL
EXPERTISE
COMMITMENT &
COLLABORATION
TIME
EXPERT
KNOWLEDGE
OF GA
PROCESS
LEGAL
EXPERTISE
• First H2020 in which EirGrid has
taken leadership role.
• Sizeable Budget €26.5m.
• Large consortium of 34 partners.
• Addressing key challenges for
renewable integration for EU
• 4 year programme 17’-21’
• Aligned with EirGrid strategic
intent.
Key insights for success!