Advancing the sustainable energy future

To find out more about how the grid will support Ireland’s watershed offshore wind moment and the wider electrification of the country, eolas Magazine sat down with Ruairi Williamson, Country Managing Director of Hitachi Energy Ireland.

Ireland is at a pivotal moment in its energy future, a future destined for renewables and net zero emissions. In May 2023, the country successfully held its first-ever offshore wind auction with four projects, combining for a total capacity of 3GW. It is undoubtedly a breakthrough moment for renewables in Ireland and critical to achieving the targets set in the 2030 Climate Action Plan.

So, is Ireland full steam ahead to become an offshore wind leader? Not quite. While identifying and funding renewable projects is an integral first step, the equally important role of managing the energy generated so they can light up homes or power vehicles cannot be forgotten.

Something in the wind

Williamson has not led Hitachi Energy’s Irish operations for very long; in fact, it has only been two months. But the timing almost seems perfect considering the new direction of Ireland’s energy mix. A new face for a new time.

Delivering sustainable technologies and solutions for its customers is at the core of Hitachi Energy’s mission. With more offshore wind projects expected to come online throughout 2030, and Ireland striving to have 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity and a further 2GW of floating wind capacity under development by 2030, it is clear where Williamson’s focus is.

“Capitalising on offshore wind is a key strategic goal for us, both in terms of delivering for the planet and our customers,” says Williamson, adding: “We need to be adaptable to where the market is heading and ready with the right combination of products and services to help our customers accelerate the energy transition.”

Collaboration

Williamson is aware that the energy transition will not be without its challenges, particularly as companies start to navigate their new landscape. With the increasing integration of renewable energy sources like offshore wind or solar, the grid must adapt to accommodate their intermittent nature. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, some renewables are subject to weather conditions and variable generation patterns, which can lead to grid instability and balancing issues if the right solutions are not in place.

“Capitalising on offshore wind is a key strategic goal for us, both in terms of delivering for the planet and our customers.”

The decentralised nature of renewable energy has accelerated the need for new infrastructure and technologies to efficiently transmit and distribute power – and this is where Hitachi Energy comes in. All over the world, the company has been collaborating with partners in the utility, industry, and infrastructure sectors to integrate the latest technological advancements, upgrade ageing grids, and develop new ones to handle higher capacities, and incorporate smart grid solutions to manage fluctuating energy flow.

Innovative grid components using power electronics can provide the operational flexibility needed to enable grids to become more efficient. Sensors can provide the necessary information and digital solutions can process the huge amount of information in intelligent grid control centres. This enables faster decision-making in a much more dynamic environment than ever observed in the past.

In March 2023, Hitachi Energy, alongside Petrofac, announced it had been selected by TenneT, the Dutch-German transmission system operator, to supply multiple record-breaking renewable integration systems, each with a capacity of 2GW and a voltage level of 525 kV – a world-first for offshore wind. Closer to Ireland, Hitachi Energy is supporting a new HVDC link to connect the Shetland Islands to the UK transmission system, helping to transmit wind power generated on the islands.

Williamson sees the opportunity to bring technology like the HVDC Light converter stations to Ireland. “At a global level, Hitachi Energy has been focused on creating a standardised approach that can be tailored for local markets. This has not happened overnight. It is the result of decades of working with our customers to support them in making the energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure.

“As a leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future, we must push the boundaries of technology and innovation together with our customers and partners to create a suite of infrastructure solutions which help operators overcome their new challenges.”

Backbone of the future energy system

Ireland’s leap into the new frontier of offshore wind is part of the much larger energy transition, propelled by the need to reduce emissions and, ultimately, reach net zero by 2050. “We are in the critical decade of accelerating climate action and must act now to guarantee a sustainable energy future for all. Renewable integration is one piece of the jigsaw, but there are multiple other pieces which must also fall into place, such as electrification. The forecasts all come to the same conclusion: the carbon-neutral world is electric,” the Country Managing Director asserts.

Williamson is focused on how Hitachi Energy can electrify transportation. “In the past 10 years, we have seen the electric vehicle market mature along with a greater degree of adoption. Across Europe there are now 480,000 charging points and in Ireland we saw EV sales nearly double last year. In the public sector space, we are also seeing local authorities start to electrify their bus fleets and turn their eye to maritime and rail,” he remarks.

Indeed, Hitachi Energy has already been working to electrify one of Ireland’s leading bus fleets by providing the new infrastructure needed for in-depot charging. The company’s Grid-eMotion Fleet smart charging solution means that buses connect to grid-to-plug charging while not out on the roads. It also offers the smallest footprint for the connection as well as low noise emissions and high reliability – three key requirements for bus depots in a densely populated urban environment, where space is limited, and seamless charging is vital to ensure buses run on time.

“We envision a thriving future for Ireland, where our energy sector not only meets our needs sustainably but also fuels the growth of our economy.”

“I have found the best way to work with our Irish customers is to engage early while they are setting out their decarbonisation strategies,” Williamson outlines when discussing how Hitachi Energy partners with its customers. “The feedback we received is that there is real benefit in understanding the solutions available at that initial stage. By partnering as early as possible, our customers can work in their chosen products at the planning phase, rather than factor them in later down the line.”

A suite of services

Hitachi Energy positions itself as a “trusted lifecycle partner for customers looking for reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective service solutions”. Its teams work closely with partners to optimise their energy infrastructure today and for the future.

“Navigating today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape requires a suite of essential services. These critical services enable assets to perform as expected throughout their lifecycle, even under the most challenging conditions. Our solutions enable our customers to minimise downtime, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance safety, all while maximising productivity and profitability,” Williamson notes, commenting on his confidence that Hitachi Energy can respond where required.

“With 250 years of combined heritage to pull from, I believe we are well positioned to match our customers’ challenges with the right solution. Through leveraging our knowledge and expertise, our goal is to help our customers streamline operations, enhance efficiencies, and move them towards a cleaner and more resilient energy future.”

Wider team

Delivering on customer challenges is not just about products and services, it is also about the team behind them. Williamson is proud to represent an Irish organisation now boasting 75 colleagues and a wealth of industry knowledge. Fresh into his new leadership role, Williamson is aware of just how valuable the support of the wider team is.

“Every day I am impressed by the talent we have at our disposal. We have colleagues who have been working in the sector for between 10 and 15 years and who know the intricacies of the Irish market. For me personally, as someone who has been in the energy industry all my career, it is brilliant to be part of such a strong team.”

Underpinned by the Diversity 360 approach, Hitachi Energy’s vision to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of its long-term business success. As such, the company is accelerating its focus on delivering a brilliant employee experience to attract and grow talent.

Williamson has ambitions to keep growing his team’s capabilities. There is a real push to bring more skilled energy sector jobs to Ireland, especially with the energy transition taking place. Upscaling and making data centres more sustainable, electrifying transport, and increasing the focus on software; these are all new areas for the business which provide growth opportunities.

“We envision a thriving future for Ireland, where our energy sector not only meets our needs sustainably but also fuels the growth of our economy and creates valuable job opportunities for our people,” Williamson enthuses. “By investing in and expanding our local energy sector, we are not only securing our energy independence but also nurturing an economy that generates jobs, empowers communities, and paves the way for a brighter, more sustainable Ireland.”

Focus on safety

Another integral part of creating a fair and equal workplace is making sure colleagues and partners are always protected. Hitachi Energy’s focus on health and safety revolves around three key elements: training; risk management; and accountability.

Colleagues at all levels are given the right skills and knowledge to effectively take responsibility for their own and their colleagues’ safety. This is fostered through an atmosphere of personal empowerment, giving every Hitachi Energy colleague the keys to their safety.

“Health and safety are our license to operate,” Williamson says, elaborating: “The well-being of my team is my primary priority, which is why we have a set of procedures in place to eliminate as many potentially hazardous moments as possible.”

Energising the future

The picture illustrated by Williamson is of a team positioning itself to meet Ireland’s energy transition via new leadership coinciding with Ireland’s first offshore wind auction, a drive to electrify Ireland’s roads, and a team to deliver on their solutions.

However, that is not to say Hitachi Energy can deliver the energy transition on its own. Far from it. Williamson acknowledges that only through collaboration – working across sectors, across stakeholders, and the entire value chain – will Ireland be able to successfully move towards a renewable-backed, net zero grid.

“We, along with our ecosystem of partners, are now in the middle of an almost perfect storm. The opportunities are there, we just need to make sure we grab them with both hands. We must come together, from energy suppliers and grid operators to OEMs and policymakers, to embrace the challenges that lie ahead and deliver the energy infrastructure for the future,” he concludes.