Electric vehicle industry could spark Irish job surge
Ireland has an opportunity to take a world lead in long-range electric vehicles and potentially create thousands of jobs in the process, the 'Energy to Drive the Irish Economy' -- Energy Solutions Conference 2009 at the University of Limerick was told last Friday.
Speaking at the conference, the president of the worldwide Electrochemical Society, Professor Noel Buckley, said a significant opportunity arises for Ireland to attract large manufacturers of electric vehicles to set up operations here.
Prof Buckley was one of a host of energy experts, scientists and researchers, as well as Government and industry representatives, gathered to discuss the role an energy infrastructure can play in lifting Ireland out of recession.
"Most of the electric car or battery manufacturing companies have an interest in the type of technology we are advancing here in Ireland at the moment, and if we really embrace this as a potential growth area, it is reasonable to expect that some of these companies could establish bases here," said Prof Buckley.
"We are in a really good position in Ireland to take that lead thanks to the cohort of graduates and post-graduates with the expertise for this sector we are supplying, as well as the research into related technologies we are advancing."
Prof Buckley said one of the biggest challenges for trying to make the transition from fossil fuel to electric cars was "acceptance" of them as a mode of transport.
Also speaking at the event, the director of University of Limerick's Charles Parsons Initiative (CPI), Dr Martin Leahy, said that solving the energy crisis is key to Ireland's route out of recession.
"There is increasing potential for the energy and jobs crises to neutralise each other, and with the ESRI report claiming we are in the worst recession of any advanced economy since the Thirties, this is our FD Roosevelt moment, with the potential for a New Deal to deliver economic and environmental prosperity," he said.
The University of Limerick has rolled out a new undergraduate programme, the BSc in energy. The aim of the programme is to meet anticipated demand for students in the energy science industry.
