Five Irish research teams compete for €1m innovation prize to develop next-generation energy solutions
From seaweed and plastic waste to artificial intelligence, researchers showcase new approaches to Ireland’s future energy needs.
Could seaweed help power our future? Could plastic waste become a source of cleaner energy? And could artificial intelligence make Ireland’s energy network smarter and more efficient?
These are just some of the questions being explored by five Irish research teams which are competing for a €1m award under the Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge, a €2.6m initiative supporting the development of new technologies to help decarbonise Ireland’s energy system.
The teams presented their research at an event held at TU Dublin's Grangegorman Campus, where they showcased their ideas and outlined how their work could help address some of the challenges involved in moving towards a low-carbon energy future.
Taking place at the start of Science Week 2026, the event brought together over 100 researchers and industry representatives to explore the potential of each of the five projects and their journey from research to real-world application.
The Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge supports cutting-edge research in renewable gas, energy system integration, and artificial intelligence, with the goal of decarbonising the national gas network.
Each of the five teams has already received initial funding, with further funding to be released in phases as the projects progress. All five teams have now entered the Seed phase where they will further develop their projects ahead of the final Prize phase which will conclude in June 2027. They are ultimately competing for a further €1m award which will go to the team demonstrating the greatest potential to deliver transformative impact for Ireland’s gas network and for society more broadly.
The projects reflect the breath of Irish research in this area, exploring everything from the potential of marine resources to new innovative processes and digital technologies that could help shape a more sustainable and secure energy system.
Professor Luke O’Neill who facilitated the discussions at the event said:
“I was hugely impressed by the ambition showcased, particularly as the teams are asking exactly the kinds of questions that make scientific research so exciting.
The possibilities are fascinating and it is encouraging to see such talented researchers applying their expertise to one of the defining challenges of our time. Their work has the potential to help shape the future role of the gas network and how we decarbonise our energy systems.”
The Innovation Challenge brings together multidisciplinary teams working across renewable gas production, digital technologies, materials science and integrated energy systems.
The five projects are:
Researchers at the University of Galway are exploring how seaweed can be processed and converted into renewable energy, creating new opportunities for renewable energy production and growth in Ireland’s marine bioeconomy.
Led by researchers at the University of Limerick, BIOGRID is investigating innovative ways to produce biomethane by upgrading biogas into a higher-quality renewable gas and significantly increasing the biomethane yield from existing production infrastructure.
Researchers at Atlantic Technological University and University College Dublin are exploring how artificial intelligence and digital technologies could improve network monitoring, diagnostics and operational decision making both for now and for future renewable gases.
Led by researchers from DCU’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing, this multidisciplinary project aims to develop low-energy technologies to convert difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into valuable products, particularly hydrogen. By exploring innovative processes that work with existing waste-management infrastructure, a key objective is to provide a credible, lower-energy alternative to established end-of-life treatments, while supporting circular economy and decarbonisation goals.
Researchers from Tyndall National Institute and University College Cork are investigating opportunities to advance renewable gas technologies and their role in future integrated energy systems. Through a structured, stakeholder co-creation approach the team will model and validate alternative pathways.
The projects highlight the potential of collaboration between researchers and industry to develop new ideas, address technical challenges and identify solutions that could deliver environmental, economic and societal benefits.
Research Ireland’s Director - Research for Society Ruth Freeman said:
“Excellent research has the potential to address some of society’s most pressing challenges and deliver lasting benefits for people and communities. The projects showcased demonstrated the value of bringing researchers and industry together to explore innovative solutions with the potential for significant societal impact.
It was particularly fitting that the event took place during Science Week and Public Service Transformation Week, highlighting the importance of research, collaboration and innovation in building a better future for Ireland. Supporting researchers to develop new approaches and innovative solutions that contribute to the sustainability of Ireland’s gas network and the wider energy system is an important investment in the country’s long-term prosperity.”
Gas Networks Ireland’s Chief Operations Officer, Bobby Gleeson said:
“This challenge demonstrates Gas Networks Ireland’s commitment to innovation and how essential it is in building the energy system of the future. Working with academia we can help translate innovative thinking into practical solutions that support Ireland’s decarbonisation ambitions.
“The €1m award offers a significant opportunity for the successful team to take its research to the next stage. We look forward to seeing the potential of these projects as they move closer to real-world application.”
Challenge funding is a solution-focused approach to address complex problems via research. It focuses on finding the most innovative and impactful solutions using competitive processes to incentivise innovators.
The structure of the Programme comprises three phases:
- Concept (six months’ duration, with successful teams securing up to €50,000)
- Seed (12 months’ duration, with all five teams now having entered this phase and securing up to €150,000)
- Prize (up to 24 months, with teams competing for an overall prize of €1m to be awarded at a prize ceremony in June 2027).
