Energy upgrades at Cork's ‘Field of Dreams’ is a game-changer

Energy upgrades at Down Syndrome Cork’s Field of Dreams site in Curraheen have been described as a “game-changer” for the organisation.

Down Syndrome Cork, a branch of the national charity Down Syndrome Ireland, received a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) community energy grant towards the cost of the upgrades.

This funding has facilitated several upgrades to their heating and electricity systems, including solar panels for electricity, heating controls, door insulation and occupancy sensors.

Opportunities

Field of Dreams was built in 2017 to provide opportunities for adults with Down Syndrome for ongoing learning and skills growth.

The project promotes learning through meaningful and productive tasks, with participants growing chemical free produce for their local community, while also selling plants and gardening equipment at their farm shop.

Speaking about how the upgrades came about, Debbie Kelleher, care co-ordinator with Field of Dreams, said an energy audit was first undertaken.

“We were given this golden opportunity where SE Systems contacted me and asked if I would like to get an energy audit done.

“And I said what’s involved and they said they’d come out and go through the building, they’d have a look at our ESB bills and they’d see how we’re operating and they’d recommend areas that we could probably improve on. I was just delighted with that.

“So they came out and they did a full audit and they sent me back a proposal and they said for you this is what we’d recommend.”

Ms Kelleher said SE Systems applied to the SEAI on behalf of Down Syndrome Cork for a community grant.

A total of €8,138 was paid towards the works by the SEAI, with a donor funding the balance.

Game-changer

Ms Kelleher described the installation of 14 PV panels in particular as a “game-changer”, adding that producing energy in a “clean, efficient way” aligns with the Field of Dreams’ ethos.

“We want to be sustainable and do our bit for the environment… we already have a rainwater harvesting system,” she said.

The upgrades, she said, have also led to some cost saving.

Brian O’Mahony, head of national retrofit and communities for the SEAI, has urged more communities to apply for the grant.

“SEAI is here to help, we welcome any community looking to do an energy project to apply to our community grant programme,” he said.

See https://www.seai.ie/grants.