Energy West returned to PorterShed Market Street for its second meetup, bringing together founders, energy innovators, researchers, and regional leaders for a deep dive into one of Ireland’s most ambitious clean-energy initiatives: the SH2AMROCK Hydrogen Valley Project.

Professor Rory Monaghan from the University of Galway led the session, offering a clear and compelling look at how hydrogen can accelerate Ireland’s path to decarbonisation. His talk explored SH2AMROCK’s €54 million programme to design a full hydrogen ecosystem—spanning production, storage, and real-world use across transport, industry, and agriculture.

The project brings 28 partners from 13 countries together to tackle some of Ireland’s most challenging emissions sectors. Rory outlined plans for a 4 MW electrolyser, a dedicated hydrogen refuelling station, and the deployment of hydrogen-powered buses and trucks—key steps toward regional innovation, energy resilience, and long-term economic growth.

This was a hybrid event, with attendees joining us both onsite at PorterShed a Dó and remotely, including participants dialling in from the Aran Islands. The session closed with an engaged Q&A and plenty of discussion around the opportunities ahead for the West.