The Energy Canvas with Celtic Dynamics

High heating costs and poor energy performance in existing housing stock present a critical barrier to national decarbonisation targets.
Transitioning these homes requires a coordinated strategic approach combining fabric upgrades, smart technology integration, and sustainable financing. This conversation explores how to navigate these technical and financial complexities to achieve comfortable, low-carbon living spaces.
David McCourt, Director of Asset Management and Property Services at Cooperative Housing Ireland, joins the host to share hard-won insights from executing deep energy retrofits across large residential portfolios.
Things We Spoke About
Defining successful retrofits through tenant comfort and energy savings
Scaling energy upgrades with portfolio data and tenant engagement
Prioritising fabric-first measures like insulation, windows, and doors
Leveraging community energy grants for complex apartment block upgrades
Transforming residential portfolios into active energy generators and stores
GUEST DETAILS
David McCourt serves as the Director of Asset Management and Property Services at Cooperative Housing Ireland. He possesses extensive expertise in building performance, energy retrofitting, and large-scale asset management within the social housing sector. His leadership drives the Improving Warmth and Wellbeing Programme, delivering deep energy retrofits to communities.
Contact David: 
Website: www.cooperativehousing.ie
Social Media: www.linkedin.com/in/davidmccourt
MORE INFORMATION
About The Energy Canvas Podcast
The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions.
Subscribe and Connect
To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
Get In Touch
Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics.
This podcast is produced by DustPod.io, creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors.
QUOTES
For me, it does. It comes back to that idea of using homes as part of the energy system in general. We're consumers; we can be generators, and we store energy. - David McCourt
And the best way of doing that is by seeing the tenant and the member of the cooperative as a very important stakeholder in this project, and the earlier you can get them involved in the project, the better and more successful it's going to be." - David McCourt
Because actually, if you get that right, that's whole life type of improvement. That's protecting and future proofing the asset going forward." - David McCourt
KEYWORDS 
#DeepEnergyRetrofit#CommunityEnergyGrants#TenantEngagement#SocialHousingSector

Ireland faces an urgent challenge to secure its energy future whilst managing the transition to a sustainable power grid. 
In this conversation we explore how Offshore Wind Infrastructure serves as the cornerstone for reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and achieving long-term energy security.
We are joined by Peter Lefroy, Head of Offshore Development UK West and Ireland at RWE, to discuss the technical and regulatory realities of building large-scale renewable assets in the Irish market. Peter outlines why current planning systems must evolve and how projects like the Dublin Array are pivotal to our decarbonisation path.
Things We Spoke About
The shift towards fragmented renewable generation
Offshore wind as a fundamental energy limb
Regulatory barriers for large-scale infrastructure
Insights into the Dublin Array project
Future potential for floating wind technology
GUEST DETAILS
Peter Lefroy is the Head of Offshore Development UK West and Ireland at RWE. He oversees large-scale development projects and the navigation of complex regulatory frameworks in the renewable sector. His expertise spans decades of offshore project lifecycle management, from inception to operational delivery.
Contact Peter: 
Website: www.rwe.com
Social Media: linkedin.com/in/peter-lefroy-0587b536
MORE INFORMATION
About The Energy Canvas Podcast
The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions.
Subscribe and Connect
To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
Get In Touch
Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? 
Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics.
Produced by DustPod.io for Celtic Dynamics
This podcast is produced by DustPod.io, creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors.
QUOTES
If we want to make those really meaningful rides in terms of getting to the 80. 90% sort of average reliance on renewables is going to have to come from offshore wind - Peter Lefroy
Energy is economy. We absolutely have to sort of see that recognised - Peter Lefroy
The first offshore projects that go through the system at the moment are having to break down significant barriers. - Peter Lefroy
KEYWORDS #OffshoreWindInfrastructure#EnergySecurity#IrelandEnergyTransition#DublinArray

Urban decarbonisation relies on a critical shift from individual building retrofits to centralised infrastructure solutions.
We explore how district heating transforms urban energy by centralising heat production and utilising local waste sources, providing a secure and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel boilers.
David Connolly, CEO of HeatGrid Ireland and Chairperson of the Irish District Energy Association, joins us to break down how to scale this technology. David brings deep expertise from his time in Denmark and his leadership in national energy planning projects, helping us understand the practical path forward for Ireland.
Things We Spoke About
Defining district heating systems
History of European adoption
Energy security and stability
Barriers to Irish implementation
Future of heating systems
GUEST DETAILS
David Connolly is the CEO of HeatGrid Ireland, a company developing low-carbon district heating networks. 
He is also the Chairperson of the Irish District Energy Association, which he co-founded in 2017. A former Associate Professor at Aalborg University, he led the Heat Roadmap Europe project and previously served as CEO of Wind Energy Ireland.
MORE INFORMATION
About The Energy Canvas Podcast
The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions.
Subscribe and Connect
To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
Get In Touch
Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics.
This podcast is produced by DustPod.io, creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors.
QUOTES
Far more people have succeeded at putting pipes in the street than they have at retrofitting every single building in a city with an alternative low-carbon solution. - David Connolly
If you imagine now you have a boiler heating an entire city, it is much easier to replace that boiler with a renewable energy source at one location to supply all the homes. - David Connolly
Whenever there is a global shortage or crisis they do not feel this on their fuel prices because they do not use oil or gas to heat their homes any longer. - David Connolly
KEYWORDS #DistrictHeating #EnergySecurity #UrbanDecarbonisation #EnergyInfrastructure #HeatGridIreland

The shift towards a secure, decarbonised energy system demands highly predictable, local power sources to complement intermittent wind and solar generation. This need has brought new attention to overlooked renewable resources.
Discover how free-flowing water can provide constant, reliable electricity through a decentralised system. The discussion covers GKinetic’s patented, slow-turning turbines, their key role in energy security, and the challenging regulatory hurdles facing this promising new technology.
We are joined by Gary Brennan, Chief Technology Officer of GKinetic Energy, who is pioneering the development of turbine systems that harness clean, renewable energy from rivers and tidal flow.
Things We Spoke About
Hydrokinetic turbines use free-flowing water
Floating turbine model and design adaptations
Hydrokinetic energy provides predictable base load
Patented slow-turning turbine system prevents fatigue
Creating modular river energy communities
GUEST DETAILS
Gary Brennan is CTO at GKinetic Energy Ltd., a Limerick based developer of unique hydrokinetic water turbines that generate clean, reliable electricity from free-flowing water with no dams or diversion.
Gary started his career in Architectural Technology, running his own company for 8 years before his interest in climate change, renewable energy systems and energy conservation led him to study Energy Systems & Mechanical Engineering.
He leads the technical design & development of the company's low impact hydrokinetic turbine systems, manages regulatory consenting, and site resource assessment. The modular floating 2kW & 12kW units enable users to harness a reliable and steady source of clean baseload energy from rivers or tidal estuaries.
Contact Gary: 
Website: www.gkinetic.com
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gkinetic-energy-ltd/posts/?feedView=all
MORE INFORMATION
About The Energy Canvas Podcast
The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions.
Subscribe and Connect
To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
Get In Touch
Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics.
Produced by DustPod.io for Celtic Dynamics
This podcast is produced by DustPod.io, creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors.
QUOTES
Your generation is very local, but it's also very predictable. - Gary Brennan
You can fairly accurately predict two days ahead what the flow on the river will be. - Gary Brennan
We've done a lot of work and simplifying the technology so that there are less things to go wrong. - Gary Brennan
KEYWORDS #HydrokineticEnergy #EnergySecurity #RenewablePower #BaseLoad #RiverTurbines

Geopolitical tensions, volatile costs, and increasing industrial pressure are profoundly reshaping Europe’s energy system, escalating the energy transition from a climate objective to a critical matter of security, competitiveness, and economic resilience.
The core challenge facing the continent is reducing the structural dependency on imported fossil fuels, which remains an untenable risk. This episode dissects critical solutions, including mobilising massive investment, tackling policy uncertainty, and fixing key bottlenecks in grid infrastructure and industrial electrification.
Joining us is Luke O Callaghan White, Programme Lead for EU energy policy at E3G, an independent climate think tank. Luke works on unlocking the political and policy solutions necessary to accelerate Europe's clean energy future, drawing on extensive experience as a researcher and policy advisor in the energy sector.
Things We Spoke About
Deep decarbonisation is key for Europe
Global shocks create universal exposure
Solution is reducing fossil fuel dependency
Investment and grid infrastructure needs
Revise tax on electricity, ease grid congestion
GUEST DETAILS
Luke O Callaghan White is Programme Lead for EU energy policy at E3G, an independent climate think tank. His work focuses on unlocking the political and policy solutions necessary to accelerate the European clean energy transition. He has extensive experience working as a researcher and policy advisor in the energy sector
MORE INFORMATION
About The Energy Canvas Podcast
The Energy Canvas is brought to you by Celtic Dynamics, exploring the intersection of engineering innovation, sustainability, and business success in Ireland's evolving energy landscape. Each episode features conversations with industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving real climate action and decarbonisation solutions.
Subscribe and Connect
To stay updated on the latest episodes and energy sector insights, visit celticdynamics.ie or search "The Energy Canvas" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.
Get In Touch
Have a question about energy systems, hydrogen technology, or want to suggest a future guest? Contact us at www.celticdynamics.com or connect with Celtic Dynamics on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/celtic-dynamics.
Produced by DustPod.io for Celtic Dynamics
This podcast is produced by DustPod.io, creating compelling audio content that drives conversation and action in the energy and sustainability sectors.

QUOTES
We need Europe to show that it can do deep decarbonisation, both for its own trajectory, but also as a signal to other economies in other parts of the world. - Luke O Callaghan White
The solution has to be reducing the structural dependency on gas, on oil, on fossil import, which is inherently risky and it's, I think, being proven.  -  Luke O Callaghan White
We will be much more resilient if we can deploy European renewables, flexibility and efficiency solutions and have a highly electrified economy. - Luke O Callaghan White
KEYWORDS
#EnergySecurity #GridInfrastructure #IndustrialElectrification #EUPolicy #FossilDependency