Surplus wind energy to heat water for fuel-poor households in Ireland

As renewable energy grows, large amounts of surplus power are going to waste – but a scheme in Ireland has found a way to let people in social housing use energy for free

By Madeleine Cuff

An Irish social enterprise that offers fuel-poor households free hot water thanks to surplus electricity from wind is poised for a major expansion across Ireland and the UK this year.

EnergyCloud uses excess wind power to heat hot water tanks overnight for residents in social housing.

After a successful 10-month pilot of 40 homes in 2022, the scheme will be rolled out to 10,000 households in Ireland this year in partnership with Clúid Housing, an Irish housing charity. …