Recent news
NZEB Team sharing Best Practice in Community Based Projects
Oct 2018
As well as delivering the community-based learning modules that have a direct positive impact on society, Dr Jamie Goggins continues to be involved in the Community Based Research and Learning Working group at the Irish Universities Association through Campus Engage. As well as facilitating a participatory programme for academics in Ireland, he has also facilitated workshops for visiting academics. For example, in the last 3 months the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at NUI Galway hosted a group from Croatia and Vietnam. The group from Croatia included individuals from the Center for the Development of Non Profit Organizations (CERANEO), Social Work Center of the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb and the Croatian Homeless Network. They were funded through the European Social Fund under the title "Support to the development of partnerships of civil society organizations and higher education institutions for the implementation of service learning programs" for a three-day study visit to the Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) at NUI Galway, as an international example of good practice. The visiting academics from the University of Science in Vietnam were with us as part of an Irish Aid funded programme VIBE (Vietnam Ireland Bilateral Education Exchange) to develop community based learning, which is led by DCU in Ireland. Here’s a quote from a member of the Croatian study tour group after the workshop given by Dr Goggins: 'I want to be born again and come back as a student in Galway', Neda, Sociology graduate working with voluntary organisation in Zagreb, Croatia.
Our sustainability journey
Sep 2018
Our Sustainability Journey, the event showcased NUI Galway Sustainability initiatives. It was held in O’Donoghue Theatre on 26th September. It was organised by the Community and University Sustainability Project Team (CUSP) as part of the ‘Loving Galway’ festival and featured a number of Ryan Institute researchers. The event was chaired by Dr. Jamie Goggines from the NZEB team who is also the part of the CUSP initiative.
World Green Building Week 2018
Sep 2018
The event ties in with Loving Galway sustainability festival and the global World Green Building Week 2018 which has the theme Home Green Home. The event is being organised at NUIG on 25th September. With expert speakers from the National University of Galway, Irish Green Building Council and industry the event explores what we need to consider in the sustainable expansion of Ireland’s housing stock.
Dr. Magdalena Hajdukiewicz received Young Researcher’s Award from the Civil Engineering Research Association of Ireland (CERAI)
29th Aug 2018
Dr Magdalena Hadjukiewicz, postdoctoral researcher at NUI Galway and member of the nZEB-RETFROFIT team, was recently recognised at the CERI2016 conference banquet for her outstanding contribution to research and practice at an early stage in her career by receiving the Young Researcher’s Award from the Civil Engineering Research Association of Ireland (CERAI). According to Prof Roger West, Chair of the selection committee: ‘This year the judges were faced with a very strong field of candidates for this award, reflecting the exceptionally high quality of international research being undertaken in Ireland. Having successfully competed for and won no less than 7 significant research contracts amounting to some €13m over the last five years, including two substantial Horizon 2020 projects, Dr Hadjukiewicz demonstrates an ability to work closely with industry, converting research into practice’.
CERAI Conference 2018 at UCD, Dublin
29th Aug 2018
The 2018 Civil Engineering Research in Ireland (CERI2018) conference was held from the 29th to the 30th of August in University College Dublin (UCD). From the nZEB Retrofit team, Dr. Jamie Goggins attended and presented the findings from a paper titled ‘The retrofitting of existing buildings to the NZEB standard: A lifecycle environmental and cost analysis approach’.
Public Consultation on Part L of Irish Building Regulations
May 2018
Engineers Ireland collaborate with nZEB-RETROFIT (Achieving nearly zero-energy buildings – a lifecycle assessment approach to retrofitting existing buildings), a SFI-funded research project based at NUI Galway to submit review on Part-L and F to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
Community University Sustainability Project (CUSP) at NUI Galway
April 2018
Dr Jamie Goggins became Interim Chair of the Community University Sustainability Project (CUSP) in NUI Galway. He takes over from Prof Colin Brown, who recently retired. The Community and University Sustainability Project (CUSP) was established in 2015 under the direction of the Registrar and Deputy President and aims to make NUI Galway a top-class, green, smart and healthy campus. The CUSP team is composed of more than 30 members of staff, drawn from a range of University faculties, University services and Galway University Hospitals. The NUI Galway Sustainability Strategy 2017-2020 was launched in November 2017 and sets out a vision of establishing NUI Galway as a top-class, green, smart and healthy campus. The Strategy was developed by the Community and University Sustainability Project Team (CUSP) following a campus-wide inclusive and holistic engagement process.
Launch of Documentary on ‘Michael Maurice O’Shaughnessy (1864-1934): Engineering the Promised Land’.
25th April 2018
Dr Jamie Goggins (MaREI Co-PI) and Eamonn Cannon directed and produced a documentary on a distinguished Irish engineering graduate, Michael M. O’Shaughnessy (1864-1934), who oversaw some of the world’s most iconic engineering projects as city engineer for San Francisco. A premiere screening of the documentary about Michael M. O'Shaughnessy, and a reception to mark the permanent installation of the exhibition Michael M. O'Shaughnessy - Engineering the Promised Land in the Alice Perry Engineering Building, NUI Galway.
Engineers Week 2018 – Family Fun Day
24th Feb 2018
This year ‘Engineering Our Futures Family Fun Day’ held in the Alice Perry Engineering Building had in excess of 700 people in attendance with a further 360 children attending the ‘Scientific Sue’ later in the week. The events were organised by Dr Jamie Goggins and Dr Magdalena Hajdukiewicz from the NZEB-RETROFIT team.
Marine Renewable Energy: State-of-the-Art Tools for Developers
13th Dec 2017
Three speakers who have recently completed their PhD's at the National University of Ireland Galway will provide an overview of their research undertaken through the MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy.
Using Python for Engineering: Benefits, Libraries and Tools
05th Dec 2017
A seminar was organised by Ed Fagen on the use of Python programming language and its application in research.
Dr. Jamie Goggins introduced modern tools used in civil engineering projects to school students
28th Nov 2017
Dr Jamie Goggins gave a talk to over 500 high school students on modern tools used in civil engineering projects, including those developed in EU funded H2020@Built2Spec project and used on the NZEB-RETROFIT project.
Scoil Íde radon project team won the top prize at the Galway Science Festival
28th Nov 2017
During the Galway Science Festival a team of OPTI-SDS project organised a school event for raising awareness of radon and mitigation measures that could be undertaken to reduce radon levels in homes.
NUI Galway Launches Community-led Sustainability Strategy
15th Nov 2017
Dr Jamie Goggins, PI for the NZEB-RETROFIT project, is also a core member of the CUSP team, who helped develop the first Sustainability Strategy for NUI Galway, which was launched on the 15th November 2017.
Dr. Jamie Goggins attended World Science Forum 2017 at Jordan
7-11th Nov 2017
Dr. Jamie Goggins nominated by Royal Irish Academy attended the World Science Forum this year where over 100 countries made their participation.
Michael M. O’Shaughnessy archive and exhibition
13 Oct 2017
Dr Jamie Goggins was one of the co-curators on the exhibition where an archive of papers belonging to distinguished engineering graduate, Michael M. O’Shaughnessy (1864-1934), who oversaw some of the world’s most iconic engineering projects as city engineer for San Francisco, has been catalogued and digitised, and was the subject of the exhibition on display at NUI Galway entitled ‘Michael Maurice O’Shaughnessy (1864-1934): Engineering the Promised Land’.
The completion of WATERNOMICS project
July 2017
Following the successful completion of the EU funded Research Project Waternomics, the Project Researchers at the CoEI NUI Galway have developed further the popular interactive digital display at the Alice Perry Engineering Building to increase Awareness of both Water and Energy Usage in the Building. The initiative highlights just some of the work of Engineering Research Supporting a Sustainable Future for our Campus.
Michael M. O'Shaughnessy - Engineering the Promised Land
10 Oct 2017 - Spring 2018
NUI Galway to host an exhibition that celebrates the acquisition of the personal archive of alumnus and distinguished engineer Michael Maurice O’Shaughnessy.
RIA Nominee Dr. Jamie Goggins to attend World Science Forum in Jordan
11 Oct 2017
Dr Jamie Goggins from the nZEB-Retrofit team will represent the Royal Irish Academy at the World Science Forum in Jordan this year.
ACE-Retrofitting (Workshop and site visit) Maastricht University, Maastricht
14 Nov 2017
Sheikh Zuhaib from the nZEB-Retrofit team attended a one day workshop on the approaches to accelerate the retrofitting in Maastricht city.
Dr. Magdalena Hajdukiewicz and Dr. Marcus Keane, members of the nZEB-RETROFIT team, discuss the sensor embedded construction elements as part of the Horizon2020
27th June 2017
Dr Jamie Goggins, PI for the nZEB-RETROFIT projects talks to the Maritime Journal about the Irish Marine Energy section
16th May 2017
The Irish wave and tidal energy sector has steadily grown - with a number of companies and organisations now making solid progress in the development of devices around the country.
Dr. Magdalena Hajdukiewicz, a member of the nZEB-RETROFIT team, organised a Thermal Comfort Lab “Are you sitting comfortably?” as part of the Engineering Summer School in the CoEI at NUI Galway.
19th June 2017
The nZEB-RETROFIT team published research on the attitudes and approaches of Irish retrofit industry professionals towards achieving near zero energy buildings
17th March 2017
This research provides an overview of current activities of retrofit professionals and analyses the barriers, gaps and challenges faced by the industry.
Super- insulate or use Renewable Technology? nZEB-Retrofit team published a new research
15th March 2017
This research presents the outcomes of a number of case study buildings in Ireland, which focus on the life cycle cost and environmental analysis.
Dr Jamie Goggins, PI for the nZEB-RETROFIT is featured by TechCentral
7th December 2016
A look at wind, wave and beyond with the chartered engineer and MaREI principal investigator.
nZEB-RETROFIT research recommended for inclusion in National Renovation Strategy
24th February 2017
Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) make final recommendations to the National Renovation Strategy V2.
'Meeting of the Energy Professional Skills' (MEnS) NZEB Graduation at DIT
21st February 2017
A presentation of Certificate awards to graduates of the Horizon 2020 ‘Meeting of Energy professional Skills’ (MEnS) NZEB upskilling programme for building design professionals.
nZEB-RETROFIT takes home poster prize at Energy Night
8th March 2017
NUI Galway organises Energy Night at the Alice Perry Engineering building.
Battle of the Buildings online platform at NUI Galway
6th February 2017
The nZEB-RETROFIT project team working with the NUI Galway Sustainability Initiative to develop an online platform for the Battle of the Buildings.
Green, greener, the greenest?
3rd February 2017
The European Forest Institute (EFI) and involving the NZEB-RETROFIT project team at NUI Galway will be developing a sustainability assessment method under FP7 SUM FOREST Project
Community based projects by NUIG students
January 2017
66 undergraduate students began working on 22 building engineering projects with community-based partners. These projects are being facilitated by the NZEB-RETROFIT project team led by Dr. Magdalena Hajdukiewicz.
National Renovation Strategy V2.0 2017-2020, Ireland
January 2017
NZEB-RETROFIT project team submit recommendations for the National Renovation Strategy V2.0 2017-2020 to the IGBC team.
‘NUI Galway’s large scale testing facility is available to industry to use for free as part of the €10.5M EU H2020 TNA MaRINET2 project
January 2017
The large structures testing laboratory in NUI Galway, run by Dr Jamie Goggins, is a part of the recently announced EU funded MaRINET2 project, which aims to help industry accelerate the development of offshore renewable energy technologies and infrastructure by opening up access to 57 test facilities across 13 European countries.
Rebuilding Ireland: Solid foundations or hollow promises for housing?
23rd November 2017
Dr Richard Manton of the nZEB-RETROFIT project team organised a public panel discussion entitled ‘Rebuilding Ireland: Solid foundations or hollow promises for housing?’ to discuss the Government’s housing action plan.
3rd International Conference on Structures and Architecture, Guimarães, Portugal
26-29th July 2016
The nZEB-Retrofit project team participated in ICSA 2016 and presented their publications.
Campus Engage SFI Discover Programme Workshops, Trinity College, Dublin
10th November 2016
Dr Jamie Goggins is a facilitator at the ‘Campus Engage SFI Discover Programme Workshops’ held in Trinity College Dublin on 10th November 2016, which was designed to enable HEI teaching staff to incorporate community-based learning/research into their curriculum
Civil Engineering Research in Ireland (CERI) 2016 conference National University of Ireland, Galway
29-30th August 2016
NUIG organises CERI conference hosting the delegates from almost 200 industry practitioners and academic researchers from all over the world. Turya Ganguly from the nZEB-Retrofit team received the award for best paper in student competition.
CUSP-SEAI launch
24th June 2016
National University of Ireland, Galway became the first university in Ireland to join the SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities Network.
Algorithm Summer School, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
11th-22nd July 2016
Sheikh Zuhaib from the nZEB Retrofit project team participated in the first Algorithm Summer School organised at Sapienza University, Italy
Aalto BIM summer school, Aalto University, Finland
7-15th June 2016
Turya Ganguly from the nZEB-Retrofit team participated in the Aalto BIM summer school.
Workshop on large scale deep-renovation in the residential buildings sector (urban areas), Dublin
25th May 2016
A deep renovation workshop was organised by IGBC and Dr. Jamie Goggins was invited to participate from the nZEB-Retrofit team.
NUIG hosts symposium on Irish research and innovation in marine and renewable energy
5th May 2016
Dr. Jamie Goggins was the chairperson of the event from the nZEB-Retrofit team.
nZEB-RETROFIT team win new project to determine the effectiveness of radon mitigation measures in buildings
01st May 2016
TY workshop: Re-imagine the works of Peter Rice
28th April 2016
Transition Year Week was organised by the nZEB-Retrofit team for the second level students at Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Informatics.
German-Irish Passive House & Energy Efficient Building Conference, Dublin
12th April 2016
The German-Irish Chamber brought together over 80 Irish and German experts in the area of energy efficient building.
World Sustainable Energy Days Conference, Austria
24th February 2016
Dr. Jamie Goggins and Paul Moran from the nZEB-Retrofit team participated in WSED conference and presented their work.
10th International Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern Switzerland
03rd November 2015
Sheikh Zuhaib from the nZEB-Retrofit team presented a paper at the 10th ABS conference in Bern.
nZEB- RETROFIT Flipboard e-magazine
09th October 2015
Check out latest information about energy efficient buildings on our flipboard e-magazine.
nZEB- RETROFIT Symposium 2015
18th August 2015
A national level one day symposium, themed ‘Achieving nearly zero energy buildings through retrofits’ was organised by Informatics Research Unit for Sustainable Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway on 18th August 2015. This symposium was a joint collaboration with Engineers Ireland (west region) and IBPSA (International Building Performance Simulation Association) Ireland.