Digital Innovation in Energy Management

This award is open to organisations, data centre operators, owners, and end users across the island of Ireland that can demonstrate outstanding achievement through the use of technology to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and deliver sustainable energy management. The judges will want to understand how technology has contributed to measurable energy achievements through innovation, operational excellence, and the adoption of low-carbon solutions. Entrants should explain what has been achieved to date, future ambitions, and demonstrate how technology has supported energy efficiency, emissions reduction, resilience, and improved performance. Submissions must be made by the end user, demonstrating how the nominated technology or energy management approach has been implemented and utilised. Entries should be supported by clear evidence, performance data, and measurable results. Entry is by a 5 A4 page submission; the judges will be looking for clarity, relevance, innovation, and strong evidence of delivery against the criteria listed below.

• Organisation or Technology Background: Outline the organisation, operation, or technology being nominated. Include the size and nature of the organisation, the purpose and application of the technology, and relevant energy performance information such as annual energy consumption, PUE metrics (where applicable), energy profile, or baseline performance data. Include any accreditation, benchmarking, or external validation.
• Strategy Background: Provide a background to the energy and technology strategy, outlining how it was developed, its objectives, and the measurable targets set. Explain how the technology supports wider goals including energy efficiency, carbon reduction, operational resilience, sustainability, and improved energy management.
• Implementation: Describe how the technology or strategy has been successfully implemented. Include details of key projects, initiatives, and integration approaches, such as cooling optimisation, IT efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, waste heat recovery, demand management, automation, monitoring systems, or other innovative energy solutions.
• Organisation Commitment: Outline the commitment made to staff engagement, training, governance, and stakeholder involvement in supporting energy performance improvements. Explain how the organisation has embedded the technology into operational practices and encouraged adoption across relevant teams and stakeholders.
• Outcomes & Results: Summarise the outcomes achieved through the use of technology, detailing benefits to both the environment and the organisation. Include reductions in energy use and emissions, improvements in efficiency metrics, increased renewable energy usage, operational benefits, and other measurable improvements. Provide year-on-year comparisons or performance data where possible and describe how results were measured and reported.
• Supporting Facts & Statements: Include any other facts or statements that you feel are relevant to support the entry, including certifications, innovation examples, additional data, awards, partnerships, or evidence demonstrating the value and impact of the technology.