International Energy Research Centre (IERC)
Tyndall National Institute · University College Cork
Chartered Engineer · Fellow, UCC School of Engineering
About
Pádraig Lyons is Head of Group at the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) at Tyndall National Institute — Ireland's largest ICT research institute, embedded in University College Cork. The IERC is a multi-disciplinary group of 30 researchers and PhD students focused on decarbonising grids, buildings, and industry.
His research concentrates on the integration of electricity and new energy vectors (including hydrogen) with storage, to decarbonise the energy system. He takes a deliberately multi-disciplinary approach — working across power systems engineering, business models for decarbonisation, policy innovation, renewable generation, big data, AI techniques, and social science.
Before returning to research, Pádraig spent over 15 years in industry and academia — including a senior strategy role at ESB Networks (Ireland's electricity Distribution System Operator), where he led Future Networks Development: electrification strategy, flexibility management, power quality, and academic liaison. He also represented ESB Networks on CIGRE and ENA working groups. He was a Lecturer in Electrical Power Systems at Newcastle University, UK.
Pádraig is a chartered engineer, a Fellow at the UCC School of Engineering, and a member of the International Smart Grid Action Network's Working Group 7 on Smart Grid Transitions. He is a Research Ireland awardee and contributes commentary to RTÉ on energy topics.
Research Focus
Integration of electricity and new energy vectors. Smart grid transitions and flexibility management.
One-stop-shop models for home renovation. Targeted vs. whole-house retrofit. SME energy efficiency.
Distributed storage units. Microgrids. Demand-side management. EV integration.
New business models for decarbonisation. Energy community regulatory challenges. SEAI advisory work.
AI techniques for energy systems. Data-driven approaches to distribution network optimisation.
Environmental sensing, light modulation, fabrication at the art/science/design boundary. The mirrored surface light deflector/modulator project — calculating how the eye perceives light, not just intensity — connects IERC's photonics expertise to CCAE's material fabrication capabilities.
Keywords
Career
Research Projects
Funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications R&D Programme. Generates actionable policy insights to support Ireland's National Climate Action Plan.
Solves the split-incentive problem between landlords and tenants in commercial real estate. Pilot sites in Ireland, Spain, and Greece. Key decision-making points and business model for energy performance contracting.
Builds skills across levels of governance (national, regional, local) for establishing and operating One-Stop-Shops for residential energy refurbishment. Connects directly to Pádraig's scepticism of monolithic whole-house retrofit grants.
Cork launch held at Tyndall National Institute. Positive Energy Districts initiative — communities producing more energy than they consume.
Cross-analysis of seven European projects (SPEEDIER, SMEmPower, E2Driver, Innoveas, Triple-A, DEESME, ICCEE). Challenges and opportunities for improving energy efficiency in SMEs across Europe.
IERC team calculating how the eye perceives light (not just intensity) using a mirrored surface deflector. Fabrication couldn't be sourced through conventional channels. CCAE's material / art / product design boundary is the potential solution. Introduction via Jason, 26 March 2026.
Selected Publications
Strategic Opportunity
Contact