Government Output

Model Used

Contribution

Year

Reference

Climate Action Plan 2023

TIMES Ireland Model (TIM), LEAP, PLEXOS

UCC modelling (particularly TIM) contributed to the analysis underpinning the Sectoral Emission Ceilings which is described in a separate document below. Although not contributing directly to CAP2023, the inclusion of SEC was an important part of CAP2023.  Model outputs from the LEAP model informed the discussion of a number of working groups for the Climate Action Plan 2023.

2022

Climate Action Plan 2023, Department of Environment Climate and Communications.

Summary of Analysis to Support Preparation of the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings

TIM, LEAP, PLEXOS

In April 2022, UCC was requested to undertake energy systems modelling analysis to inform the development of Sectoral Emissions Ceilings as part of the Government’s carbon budgeting programme. This work took place under the CAPACITY project, part of the DECC-funded Climate Action Modelling Group (CAMG). UCC develops and applies several energy modelling analytical tools in order to assess the impacts of climate and energy policies and technology, market and demand dynamics.

Full results of the study are available on an interactive web-app: https://epmg.netlify.app/tim-carbon-budgets-2022/results

2022

Summary of Analysis to Support Preparation of the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings, Department of Environment Climate and Communications.

A Review of Requirements and Constraints on Biofuels in Ireland

TIM, LEAP

Prior to instigating this work, the Department had engaged the Energy Policy and Modelling Group (EPMG) from UCC to carry out an analysis of the transport energy requirements to meet two scenarios:

a) the Climate Action Plan 2021 target of B20 / E10 by 2030; and

b) an increased target of a B25 / E10 or B30 / E10 by 2030.

LEAP, is a simulation model of Ireland’s energy system. The current version of the model is designed to examine individual policy measures, such as 845,000 electric vehicles or 20% blend of biodiesel. In contrast with the TIM model, for the LEAP model, the bioenergy blend is an input to the model. The impact of all policy measures – individually or combined – on CO2 emissions can be assessed. In summary, the two EPMG models forecast the energy requirements for 2025 and 2030, for biodiesel and bioethanol.

2022

A Review of Requirements and Constraints on Biofuels in Ireland Arising from RED II and National Targets, Department of Transport.

Ireland's Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

TIM, LEAP, PLEXOS

Ireland’s Climate Information Platform, Climate Ireland, was developed on a phased basis under the EPA Research Programme as a "one-stop shop" of information, data and knowledge to support those preparing for, and adapting to, the consequences of climate change.  designed and developed by the Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy (MaREI) at University College Cork (UCC) and the Irish Centre for High

End Computer (ICHEC) at the National University of Ireland, Galway and as part of the EPA funded project A Climate Information Platform for Ireland (ICIP). planning required towards 2050.

2023

Long term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Reductions, Department of Environment Climate and Communications.

Your Journey Counts

LEAP, IPTM

Insights on how different transport modes (such as car, bus, train) emit different amounts of CO2 emissions for every kilometre travelled per passenger (PKM) were taken from the IPTEM model as described in a UCC study published in 2022 which calculated the CO2 emissions from Irish passenger transport according to trip distance, mode and purpose (UCC MarEI). (O'Riordan et al, 2022)

2023

Your Journey Counts, Department of Transport.

Climate Action Plan 2024

TIM, LEAP, PLEXOS

The contributions of UCC modelling was cited in the Research & Innovation chapter of CAP2024.  Model outputs from the LEAP model informed the discussion of a number of working groups for the Climate Action Plan 2024.

2024

Climate Action Plan 2024, Department of Environment Climate and Communications.

Research & Innovation Strategy to 2030

TIM, LEAP, PLEXOS

Case study of the Energy Policy and Modelling Group UCC, CAPACITY project in which the UCC team use models they have developed (TIM, LEAP and PLEXOS) to understand how changes in Ireland's energy system will impact meeting greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

2024

Research and Innovation Strategy to 2030, Department of Environment Climate and Communications.