Minister launches power-saving IT software
The Minister of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamonn Ryan, has launched an innovative software solution to reduce wasted energy from PC equipment which should be of interest to LFP companies in Ireland.
Aptly named EnergyWatchIT this software solution is designed to give energy managers and facilities manager’s control over the energy used by their computers as well as implementing green IT policies and get instant reports on energy savings at the touch of a button. With industry facts suggesting that 75% of computers are left on out of hours and that 89% of companies don’t have an automated system for shutting down PC’s, EnergyWatchIT seems like an ideal solution to address this issue.
The product is a collaboration between UCC (University College Cork) and Energy Sense Ireland Ltd through the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme. The full product goes on sale through Energy Sense Ireland and globally through software distribution partners later this year.
Ryan said: “EnergyWatchIT is the embodiment of Ireland’s smart green-tech economy. Adoption of the new solution will help business and institutions alike to lower their carbon footprint, while reducing IT overheads for many companies. It’s a triple win for our economy and climate.”
The development team comprised of Niall Tuohy, Stephen Clarke, James Scott and Garry McCarthy who are based in Business Information Systems, UCC while the project principal Investigators are Dr Brian O’Flaherty and Simon Woodworth of BIS as well. Energy Sense Ireland Ltd (ESI) is a nationwide energy conservation consultancy firm, while Director, Sean Cronin has extensive experience in the software business. The project received significant backing from the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme, an initiative that offers financial support to companies who engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities.
Congratulating the team on the product launch, Dr Michael Murphy, President of UCC commented: “Collaborating with local companies on innovative product development is a prime example of how UCC fulfils its role in contributing to the Smart Economy. Using the Research and Development capability of the University to solve real-world energy management problems, and partnering with local companies to exploit the commercial opportunities, leads to contemporary high impact research and economic growth.”
