Sustainable Nation Ireland has launched the €1 million “2^o Platform” to support the growth of sustainable businesses by turning the smartest low-carbon ideas and products into commercial reality.

The body promoting Ireland as a hub for sustainable business has established this platform for companies developing resource-efficiency solutions to help them achieve this goal of situating Ireland as a centre for sustainable innovation and investment.

Sustainable Nation collaborates with Europe’s Climate-KIC and Sustainability Skillnet, and these partnerships will enable Irish businesses and entrepreneurs to access world-class resources, insights, skills, research and opportunities. Through the 2^o Platform, the body wants to connect Irish start-ups, existing firms and larger brands by connecting them with a dynamic, thriving, innovating network.

The low-carbon model is not just about clean energy. Businesses can provide sustainability in the form of efficiency in food production, access to water and urban population growth.

The name of the platform, itself, refers to the stated global aim to limit future temperature increases to just 2^o Celsius, if agreed reduction targets are met.

Wayne Byrne, CEO of OxyMem, a spinout from UCD who have been commercialising an innovative solution to reduce costs for wastewater treatment, comments: “Our success is dependent on many factors, such as access to networks and finance. Collaborating with Sustainable Nation through their 2^o Platform and accessing their global network has opened up opportunities which are invaluable.

“Irish companies are recognised as leaders in the sustainability and low-carbon sector and we should actively engage with Sustainable Nation to strengthen our ecosystem, and promote our success.”

Pictured are Brian Motherway, CEO, SEAI and Lisa Jackson, vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Apple

Apple has committed a €1 million fund to promote the development of ocean energy in Ireland.

The fund will help developers who receive a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant to test their ocean energy prototypes in the Galway Bay Ocean Energy Test Site. Apple in turn are looking at the potential of ocean energy to power their forthcoming data centre in Co. Galway.

Welcoming the announcement Minister for Communication, Energy and Natural Resources Alex White T.D. “The west coast of Ireland is recognised as having some of the best wave resources in the world and I warmly welcome this agreement between Apple and SEAI to help harness this renewable source of energy. This is an excellent achievement for Ireland and shows that when it comes to ocean energy development, Ireland is definitely open for business.”

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Apple. Its track record in development and innovation is second to none and its support to the emerging wave energy industry will be a major boost nationally.” said Dr Brian Motherway, CEO, SEAI.

The Galway Bay test site, in operation since 2006, is a state of the art facility which enables the testing of wave energy technologies at quarter scale.

“We’re excited by the potential of ocean energy to someday serve as a source of clean power for the data centre we are building in Athenry, County Galway,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “We are deeply committed to powering all our facilities with 100 percent renewable energy and believe investing in innovative projects will make reaching our goal easier.”

Further details on Ireland ocean energy offering are available here and details on SEAI’s  ocean energy funding can be found here.