A new clean energy project in Ireland is showing how electricity that might otherwise go unused can help families meet one of the most basic household needs: hot water.
Up to 40 homes in Donegal may receive free hot water under a plan that channels excess power from nearby wind farms into household tanks.
Here's what to know
According to Donegal News, households in Inishowen are being fitted with smart immersion devices through a collaboration involving Perigus Energy, the charity EnergyCloud, and Donegal County Council.
Instead of curtailing renewable electricity when there is too much for the grid to take, the system sends the surplus into stored household water, so residents can use hot water without being charged for that portion of power.
The funding comes from Perigus Energy's 20,000-euro Community Benefit Fund, with about 500 euros (about $583) allocated for each property.
At that level, the program is expected to support roughly 40 installations, and 10 units are in place.
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Donegal County Council is helping determine which homes will take part, and the program will involve the Carndonagh Development Association in finding more households that qualify.
More background
Rather than relying on a new large-scale storage system, the program uses existing household hot water tanks as a kind of thermal battery. When wind farms generate more electricity than the grid can accept at a given moment, that extra clean power can still be put to productive use.
Curtailment remains a real challenge for renewable energy systems. Wind and solar can generate abundant electricity, but supply and demand do not always line up perfectly. Projects like this help bridge that gap while delivering an immediate benefit to residents.
Across the island of Ireland, Perigus Energy has 373 megawatts of onshore wind in operation and another 179 megawatts being built.
In Donegal, its three active wind farms, two in Sorne near Buncrana and one in Flughland near Druminderry, have the capacity to power more than 18,700 homes in a year.
What's being done?
This Donegal effort builds on Perigus Energy's work with EnergyCloud in Kerry and is part of a push to bring the model to more Community Benefit Funds around Ireland.
A broader rollout could give additional households access to savings created by renewable electricity that would otherwise go unused.
Water heating is a major energy expense in many homes, so systems that direct clean electricity into hot water can lower bills while also helping the grid operate more efficiently.
Amy Ahern, Community Liaison Lead at Perigus Energy, said the project is designed to create local value: "Our Community Benefit Fund is about creating lasting benefits for the communities where we operate."
She added that the effort is "a practical example of how renewable energy can support people as well as power homes."
Alan Wyley, CEO of EnergyCloud, said, "We are already live with the first few homes and look forward to expanding this pilot delivering free hot water to homes making a real impact in the communities that need it most."
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