Ireland is working toward sourcing 80% of its electricity from renewable sources in just six years.  One of the key players in this mission is the Head of Engineering at EirGrid who is responsible for overseeing the delivery of critical grid infrastructure. In this podcast she shares experience on the complexities of integrating renewable sources like wind and solar into the grid, about balancing supply and storage solutions, plus technical and regulatory hurdles that engineers must navigate....

Engineering innovation has created incredible technology and found new ways to use current technology to overcome engineering challenges.  LiDAR is an example of one of these revolutionary tools and today we hear from an art historian turned civil engineer who is using it to scan our cities. We hear about their creation of the world's densest urban aerial laser scanning dataset, which was conducted using a large slice of the center of Dublin City, and the challenges they’ve overcome in...

Engineering is a diverse and exciting career that fosters immense creative thinking, but just how far can it take you?  Today we hear from an engineer who turned their wildest dreams into reality and took them all the way to NASA. We hear how an opportunity to attend Space Camp inspired their ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude and how engineering has supported further creative pursuits in different disciplines.  Our guest is a trailblazer in the aerospace engineering industry, but also in...

One of the biggest challenges of the climate crisis is power. How do we harness it, store it, use it and most importantly, make it more sustainable.  Engineers have been creating fantastic solutions in power, but storing it is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome. Today we hear from an Irish engineer who is actively responding with some very clever solutions. Our guest has worked with decarbonization at EU level and is leading his own social enterprise that creates energy storage...

The water sector needs the help of engineers to develop plans and innovative solutions for the maintenance of one of our most essential commodities.  Today we hear of all the challenges facing the sector, from inefficient leaky infrastructure to an urgent focus on sustainability thanks to the rapidly changing climate. Our guest has been a leader in this area for 25 years since founding his company in Loughrea, and has had success not just here in Ireland but across Europe and to the USA. He...

Engineers are naturally creative, from problem solving to designing and planning. But when you combine that with visual creativity, it leads to unique and beautiful things.  Today we meet an Irish engineer who is using his engineering skills and artistic flair to design some of the most impressive structures across the world, including a very well known New York tourist attraction. Our expert guest has worked in over 20 countries across the globe and is passionate about the architectural...

Engineers are on the frontline of influencing our future and play a key role in the race against climate change.  As we embrace the digital transition, one Irish company is leading the way in decarbonisation. Today we hear how the firm has achieved rapid success in just three years of business, how they develop passionate and innovative teams and the incredible creative opportunities available to Irish engineers across Europe.  Our expert guest believes in the power of combining engineering...

Irish engineers are incredibly creative thinkers and innovators, but it's a big leap going from innovator to entrepreneur, and taking an idea you might have to market.  Today we hear from a prominent engineer with a fascinating career history, which took her from aeronautical engineering into the biomedical space. We'll be finding out how she looks at problems, overcomes obstacles, where she sees innovation and opportunity, and getting some great advice for any engineers who are thinking of...

2023 was a ‘record breaker’ for wind power in Ireland, but have we got the resources to reach the government's goals for a renewable future?  Today we learn about some of the engineering problems behind Ireland’s long-term strategy for increasing wind power, the challenges caused by policy, regulation and mother nature, along with a huge career drive to get more people, including engineers, working in the wind sector.  Our guest is extremely passionate about Ireland’s renewable energy...

Engineers are primed to think on their feet and solve problems in record times, but dealing with the weight of a whole country’s emergency call service requires lightning approaches and a ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude.  Today we dive into the world of the most important telecommunications operation in the country, the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS). We learn how the service operates in ways people may never consider and the contingency plans that help it weather any storm, or...

Today we find out how Irish engineers are attracting big foreign business, and how investing in personal development is just as beneficial for your own growth as it is for the sector.  Global investment is crucial to the economic wellbeing of Ireland, and there are still challenges the country needs to overcome to ensure continued success.  Our expert today is at the forefront of Ireland’s international business investments and believes our engineering sector has a lot of talent to offer. He...

Water Infrastructure is a hugely important sector here in Ireland, and it has many challenges on the horizon, including everything from climate change to infrastructure demand.  Today, we're finding out more about the future of that water infrastructure and where engineers will play a crucial role in ensuring its success.  Our expert today is at the center of the industry and has experience working on massive projects in Ireland, the UK and Asia. He is CEO of Uisce Eireann and a fellow of...

Engineers are having a meaningful impact across communities in Ireland through working in the public sector.  Today we hear from three professionals with extensive experience working within the public sector about the rewarding projects they have worked on and the career paths they have taken.  Our guests are Head of the National Building Control & Market Surveillance Office in Dublin and a fellow with Engineers Ireland Mairéad Phelan, Executive Engineer with Limerick City and County...

The agriculture sector has had to embrace adaptability and innovation as it navigates new technologies and the climate crisis.  Today we’re diving into agriculture and discovering how engineers are developing solutions for a better future in the sector. We hear about their impressive sustainability efforts and how AI and automation are playing an important role.  Our experts today are Associate Professor and Vice Principal for Internationalisation in UCD College of Engineering &...

Engineers are incredibly innovative and ambitious, but having the right skills and mindset is key to having your ideas heard and supported.  Through self-development and continuous learning you can make yourself stand out in the crowd. Today we find out what education options are available to engineers and what skills you need to focus on to become an invaluable pi-shaped professional.  Our expert today is an electronic engineer who is incredibly passionate about professional development and...

Irish engineers are having a fantastic impact in global enterprise but are we nimble and innovative enough to take on the internationals? Today we find out how engineering is fundamental to the future of enterprise in Ireland and why innovation and sustainability will be vital to our success.  We are delighted to be joined by CEO of Enterprise Ireland, and Fellow of Engineers Ireland, Leo Clancy.  THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT 01:26 Leo’s career from engineering to enterprise  04:17 What does...

As the engineering sector continuously evolves and grows, how can you stay on top and progress in your career?  Today we discover how leading managers achieved their ascent in the industry and what key qualities they look for in their teams. We also hear how employee wellbeing is crucial to operating a safe workplace.  Joining us to tell us more is Director of TII’s Professional Services Division, Helen Hughes and Director of Operations with Jacobs, Jillian Bolton. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT 1:21...

Female engineers represent just 12% of the profession in Ireland. To coincide with International Women In Engineering Day 2023 we ask how we can encourage more young women to join the industry?  What would a workforce with a better gender balance look like? How could the industry benefit from the unique skills and attributes of women that can often be missed in male dominated spaces?  To answer these questions, we’re speaking to two female professionals who excel in the space of safety and...

Few of us are presented with a problem so big it needs to be dealt with on a national scale. When Aidan O’Connell discovered pyrite, he tackled it head-on, literally writing the book on how to deal with it. Today, he is an acknowledged expert in the area worldwide.  A hands-on pragmatic civil engineer, Aidan’s colourful career has spanned from his early days in the UK to running a successful small firm in Portlaoise for almost thirty years. In this packed half hour, he pulls no punches on...

Is mixing the intellectual world of engineering and the physical world of sport, some kind of Venn diagram gone wrong?  Professionals in both need to combine strategy, foresight and expertise with skill and instinct.  If you mix all these qualities into one person, do you get a super-human engineer? Our guests on the show today share how sport and teamwork helped them excel at engineering. They are engineer and former Mayo GAA star Tom Parsons, and athletic legend Jenna Bromell who is...

Our working world is rapidly changing and graduate programmes are changing also. We discover how new recruits are learning in a new way and what we as qualified professionals must do to keep up.  Giving us an insight into today’s university programs are Una Beagon, Head of Civil Engineering at the Technological University in Dublin and Maria Kyne Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in the Technical University of the Shannon. TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE  02:07 How teaching engineering has...

After 20 years in engineering, John’s career continues to climb. His firm is breaking new ground in engineering practice, they have big plans to expand and have been officially recognised as one of the Best Workplaces in Ireland. In this episode, we hear how John’s experience and willingness to try new things, has built huge trust in the team and how the freedom they enjoy has delivered huge results for everybody.  We cover everything from taking over ghost estates in the 2008 property crash...

With a career that spans over 38 years, Gerry shares an extraordinarily unique insight into some of Ireland’s largest and most crucial infrastructures.

Sustainability has been at the core of operations at Varming for decades.