South East Technological University (SETU) hosted the High Performance Building Alliance (HPBA) board meeting at its Carlow campus last week. The board met to discuss research and training opportunities to advance governmental and United Nations (UN) plans for increased sustainability in the built environment.
The University is represented on the board by David Morrissey, Assistant Head of Department for Architecture and Built Environment at SETU in Waterford, and Pascal Harte, lecturer at the Department of the Built Environment at SETU in Carlow.
In welcoming the board to the SETU, Dr Eoin Homan, Head of Department of the Built Environment commented, “We are delighted to host the HPBA Board and we extend our full support to the board’s mission to champion high performance solutions and near zero energy outcomes for buildings. As a university, we are also fully committed to actively supporting the work of the board and, in particular, to the focus on broadening the research and educational opportunities associated with sustainability within the built environment sector.”
The HPBA joined the UNECE High Performance Buildings Initiative (HPBI) in 2021 and represents Ireland at global level as one of nine UN centres of excellence. It is dedicated to addressing climate change through industry informed research and upskilling, optimising the built environment sustainability. The board’s mission is to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Framework for Energy Efficiency Guidelines, Paris Climate Accord, and Ireland's Climate Action Plan.
Encouraging Innovation
Central to the work of the HPBA is encouraging innovation, promoting sustainable solutions, and collaborating to create environmentally, economically, and socially vibrant communities. Research is pivotal to this activity and board members from SETU, David and Pascal, are members of the HPBA research subgroup which fulfils the primary role of promoting research activities that contribute towards these goals.
The HPBA was founded in 2019 by Wexford County Council, in collaboration with Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB). The goal was to address skills gaps in the building industry and the region’s ability to respond to the demand for energy-efficient, A-rated houses.
Wexford became the first county in Ireland to have their new-build, local authority homes rated as nearly-zero energy buildings (NZEBs). WWETB developed the NZEB specifications, followed by relevant training programmes, and began delivery from the first NZEB pilot training centre in Ireland. This centre is located in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford and has since been replicated, with the training rolled out nationally to five other regional centres designated by government policy.
Photo caption: High Performance Building Alliance (HPBA) board members (L-R) Pascal Harte, Lecturer at SETU; Breege Cosgrave, Head of Economic Development at Wexford County Councl; Liz Hore, Director of Services at Wexford County Council; Cllr Garry Laffan, elected member of Wexford County Counsil and HPBA Board Chairperson; Michael O’Brien, Innovation and Development Manager at WWETB; Mandi Stewart, CEO of HPBA; Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services at Wexford County Council; and Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR pictured at SETU’s Carlow campus.
Media Contact: Patricia Madden, Communications Officer, [email protected], 059 917 5274.
