Ireland has announced €2.6 million in funding for five research teams developing technologies across biomethane, biohydrogen and intelligent gas network management, as the country pushes to decarbonise its energy system ahead of a 2050 climate-neutrality target.
The Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge, co-funded by the state research agency and the national gas network operator, pairs academic researchers with industry partners to develop solutions with commercial and deployment potential at scale.
The five funded projects span a broad range of approaches.
One team at Atlantic Technological University is building an AI-powered digital twin of Ireland's renewable gas infrastructure to support decarbonisation planning, while a University of Limerick-led group is working on biogas methanation to produce grid-quality biomethane using intensified reactors.
A University of Galway team is exploring macroalgae as a novel biomethane feedstock, and Dublin City University researchers are investigating nanomaterial-based processes for renewable fuel production.
A fifth project, led by Tyndall National Institute, focuses on scenario modelling for renewable gas integration across Ireland's future energy system.
Each team will work alongside a dedicated Gas Networks Ireland liaison, grounding research in operational system requirements and supporting the path from development to deployment.
Minister for Research and Innovation James Lawless said the programme demonstrated how targeted investment could accelerate sustainability and bolster energy security, while positioning Ireland as a leader in research-driven innovation.
Bobby Gleeson, Chief Operations Officer at Gas Networks Ireland, said the projects represented innovation in action, turning cutting-edge research into solutions that could strengthen Ireland's energy system and support the integration of renewable gases at scale.
Ireland commits €2.6 million to renewable gas and smart network research
