Community
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Summary
Client: Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Site: National Training Centre, Cork, Ireland
Sector: Community & Charity
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is Ireland’s leading national charity, dedicated to supporting individuals with vision impairments and families of children with autism to achieve greater independence.
Operating from its National Training Centre in Cork, the charity provides vital services, including the training and matching of guide and assistance dogs. With over 85% of its €5.2 million annual operating costs funded by public donations, every euro saved on operations directly contributes to providing more life-changing services.
The organisation’s leadership recognised the need to improve its energy efficiency and sustainability. SE Systems partnered with Irish Guide Dogs to deliver a comprehensive decarbonisation project, funded through SEAI grants and the SE Systems Community Fund. The project aimed to reduce energy bills, improve comfort levels for dogs and people on-site, and support Ireland’s climate action goals.
The Challenge
Irish Guide Dogs faced a significant challenge:
- Rising energy costs reducing the funds available for essential services.
- A 40-year-old kennel building with poor insulation and inefficient heating, directly impacting dog comfort and training.
- Outdated lighting and systems that consumed excessive energy.
- Limited in-house technical expertise to design and deliver an effective, fully integrated energy solution.
- The need for a cost-effective approach with minimal upfront investment, ensuring donations could remain focused on client services.
The goal was to create a facility that was sustainable, efficient, and comfortable, while freeing up operational budgets to benefit clients and their families directly. Importantly, the solution needed to be cost-effective, with minimal upfront investment, to ensure donor funds remained focused on core services.
The Solution
SE Systems began by conducting a comprehensive energy audit to understand exactly where and how energy was being consumed. Using SEAI’s fabric-first approach, SE Systems designed and delivered a complete retrofit solution.
Key upgrades delivered:
- 29.7 kW Solar PV system
- 60 high-performance Q Cell panels (495W each).
- 1 x 25kW inverter.
- Generates 24,259 kWh of renewable energy annually, reducing reliance on grid electricity.
- Heating System Upgrade
- Three high-efficiency heat pumps installed across the main building and POD building.
- Eliminated up to 90% of on-site gas usage.
- Total annual thermal savings of 85,772 kWh.
- Building Management System (BMS)
- Intelligent controls for heating and hot water across three buildings: main centre, kennels, and POD building.
- Tridium Niagara platform with real-time monitoring and control via PC interface.
- Energy Monitoring and Verification
- Industrial-grade IoT gateway with advanced gas and electric sub-meters to track performance and optimise consumption
- Lighting Upgrade
- 399 LED fittings installed across all internal and external areas.
- Delivers 28,509 kWh in annual electrical savings while improving lighting quality.
- Fabric Upgrades for Comfort and Efficiency
- 756 m² of attic insulation
- 375 m² of cavity wall insulation
- Maintains consistent temperatures, particularly in the kennels, improving well-being for the dogs.
- EV Charging Infrastructure
- 1 x EV charger with load management for futureproofing.
The Impact
The project has delivered transformative results for the charity:
- Circ. 90% reduction in gas use, thanks to heat pump technology.
- Total annual energy savings of 69,386.66 kWh, combining electrical, thermal, and renewable generation benefits.
- Improved comfort and temperature regulation, particularly in the kennels, directly benefiting the dogs’ training and wellbeing.
- Operational cost savings that can now be redirected to life-changing services for clients and families.
- A significant reduction in carbon emissions, supporting Ireland’s national climate targets.
- Future-proofed infrastructure that will continue to generate long-term financial and environmental value.
Customer Feedback
“The energy audit carried out at our HQ was comprehensive, helping us understand our needs and identify effective solutions. The upgrades have significantly improved our energy efficiency and sustainability. We highly recommend this approach to any organisation aiming to enhance their energy performance.”
Sinead Cummins
Facilities Manager, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
“We were handheld all the way by Jake and SE Systems, and it was incredibly supportive at every step — from before the project started to after everything was up and running.”
“Every opportunity available to us to reduce our cost base and improve our efficiency, we want to take that opportunity. This grant has allowed us to do so.”
Tim O’Mahony
CEO, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Looking Ahead
This energy retrofit has achieved more than just reducing costs – it has enabled Irish Guide Dogs to concentrate on its mission of providing independence to those who need it most. The improved facilities also foster a healthier, more comfortable environment for staff, visitors, and the dogs in training.
For SE Systems, the project represents the power of collaboration, combining technical expertise, grant funding, and community-focused innovation to create lasting impact.
Project Partners
Main contractor for energy consultancy, design, installation, and project delivery.
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