On 23rd May 2014, Professor Mark O’Malley, the Director of the UCD Energy Institute, hosted an open meeting in the UCD  Science Centre during which he outlined the vision and long-term strategy of the Energy Institute. The UCD ENERGY21 COFUND Action was one of the initiatives presented in more detail.

During the meeting, attended by many members of staff in UCD, Professor O’Malley discussed the context for the establishment of the Energy Institute at UCD and emphasised the importance of research on energy systems integration for the entire energy sector. He also outlined the challenges facing the energy sector in regard to attracting and retaining good researchers.