Trevor Johnston
@beerwithsubtitles.net
Tracking Irish renewable generation at @greencollective.io since 2020 · Google 2007-2019 · Zürich, New York, Dublin
Emerging from Christmas food and TV hibernation just long enough to assemble this wee post.
We noticed the Christmas Day afternoon peak years ago but never the Easter Sunday (?); the data doesn't lie! 🤷♂️
We noticed the Christmas Day afternoon peak years ago but never the Easter Sunday (?); the data doesn't lie! 🤷♂️
December 25 is just about the only day when electricity demand in Ireland peaks around lunchtime rather than in the evening 🎄
When else can you expect this behaviour? Easter Sunday. We love our roasts! 🍗
Renewables supplied over half of this year's Christmas Day electricity 🔌
#SpeirGorm
When else can you expect this behaviour? Easter Sunday. We love our roasts! 🍗
Renewables supplied over half of this year's Christmas Day electricity 🔌
#SpeirGorm
December 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Emerging from Christmas food and TV hibernation just long enough to assemble this wee post.
We noticed the Christmas Day afternoon peak years ago but never the Easter Sunday (?); the data doesn't lie! 🤷♂️
We noticed the Christmas Day afternoon peak years ago but never the Easter Sunday (?); the data doesn't lie! 🤷♂️
Sad but unsurprised to see the end of the Christmas Eve broadcast from Grafton Street, as their new favourite presenter obviously wouldn't be caught dead in the city centre (maybe it's okay: the number of kids belting out "Jingle Bells" had almost dropped to zero in recent years anyway).
#SpeirGorm
#SpeirGorm
December 24, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Sad but unsurprised to see the end of the Christmas Eve broadcast from Grafton Street, as their new favourite presenter obviously wouldn't be caught dead in the city centre (maybe it's okay: the number of kids belting out "Jingle Bells" had almost dropped to zero in recent years anyway).
#SpeirGorm
#SpeirGorm
For the past few days, we've been trialling our new pipeline: perfect alignment of the most important EirGrid/SEMO feeds for *little* more accuracy, and more work pushed out to the database for a *lot* less operational load.
All going well, nobody will notice! 🤞
All going well, nobody will notice! 🤞
Renewable generation and discharging storage equalled 21% of yesterday's electricity demand, with a peak of 34% at 04:15. Fossil fuel generation (mostly gas) equalled 54% of demand. 0% of generation was exported, 26% of demand was met by imports.
December 22, 2025 at 12:31 PM
For the past few days, we've been trialling our new pipeline: perfect alignment of the most important EirGrid/SEMO feeds for *little* more accuracy, and more work pushed out to the database for a *lot* less operational load.
All going well, nobody will notice! 🤞
All going well, nobody will notice! 🤞
I just completed "Laboratories" - Day 7 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/7
Day 7 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I just completed "Laboratories" - Day 7 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/7
I just completed "Trash Compactor" - Day 6 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/6
Day 6 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I just completed "Trash Compactor" - Day 6 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/6
I just completed "Cafeteria" - Day 5 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/5
Day 5 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I just completed "Cafeteria" - Day 5 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/5
I just completed "Printing Department" - Day 4 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/4
Day 4 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I just completed "Printing Department" - Day 4 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/4
I just completed "Lobby" - Day 3 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/3
Day 3 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 13, 2025 at 8:17 AM
I just completed "Lobby" - Day 3 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/3
I just completed "Gift Shop" - Day 2 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/2
Day 2 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I just completed "Gift Shop" - Day 2 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/2
I just completed "Secret Entrance" - Day 1 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/1
Day 1 - Advent of Code 2025
adventofcode.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I just completed "Secret Entrance" - Day 1 - Advent of Code 2025 #AdventOfCode adventofcode.com/2025/day/1
Yesterday likely to prove the "most Christmas-y" day:
- start "Hogfather", over a fine imperial stout 📖 🍺
- dinner at the Christmas market 🌮
- Nils Landgren "Christmas with my friends" concert 🎺
(also had the plumber in, and DIY on the bed...that chaos was actually the *most* Christmas-y thing)
- start "Hogfather", over a fine imperial stout 📖 🍺
- dinner at the Christmas market 🌮
- Nils Landgren "Christmas with my friends" concert 🎺
(also had the plumber in, and DIY on the bed...that chaos was actually the *most* Christmas-y thing)
December 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Yesterday likely to prove the "most Christmas-y" day:
- start "Hogfather", over a fine imperial stout 📖 🍺
- dinner at the Christmas market 🌮
- Nils Landgren "Christmas with my friends" concert 🎺
(also had the plumber in, and DIY on the bed...that chaos was actually the *most* Christmas-y thing)
- start "Hogfather", over a fine imperial stout 📖 🍺
- dinner at the Christmas market 🌮
- Nils Landgren "Christmas with my friends" concert 🎺
(also had the plumber in, and DIY on the bed...that chaos was actually the *most* Christmas-y thing)
Got it!
Spotted this in paperback at @gutterbookshop.bsky.social only a few days after release and obviously had to grab it -- but very much still hoping to pick up a complete trilogy with the @emberwickart.bsky.social covers at some point (should look amazing beside my old Discworlds) 🤓
Spotted this in paperback at @gutterbookshop.bsky.social only a few days after release and obviously had to grab it -- but very much still hoping to pick up a complete trilogy with the @emberwickart.bsky.social covers at some point (should look amazing beside my old Discworlds) 🤓
Pre-ordered!
The first two in this series came along at just the right time for me and I absolutely devoured them.
(side quest: how do I get *these* covers in Europe?)
The first two in this series came along at just the right time for me and I absolutely devoured them.
(side quest: how do I get *these* covers in Europe?)
Oh, hi there! It's cover reveal day for Brigands & Breadknives, with art yet again by the amazing @emberwickart.bsky.social-
I love it so ❤️
Coming Nov 11 '25 from @torbooks.bsky.social-
I love it so ❤️
Coming Nov 11 '25 from @torbooks.bsky.social-
November 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Got it!
Spotted this in paperback at @gutterbookshop.bsky.social only a few days after release and obviously had to grab it -- but very much still hoping to pick up a complete trilogy with the @emberwickart.bsky.social covers at some point (should look amazing beside my old Discworlds) 🤓
Spotted this in paperback at @gutterbookshop.bsky.social only a few days after release and obviously had to grab it -- but very much still hoping to pick up a complete trilogy with the @emberwickart.bsky.social covers at some point (should look amazing beside my old Discworlds) 🤓
Badge unlocked: actually bought something in a "Black Friday" "sale" 😬
Current TV refresh rate: once roughly each 10-15 years ♻️
Current TV refresh rate: once roughly each 10-15 years ♻️
November 30, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Badge unlocked: actually bought something in a "Black Friday" "sale" 😬
Current TV refresh rate: once roughly each 10-15 years ♻️
Current TV refresh rate: once roughly each 10-15 years ♻️
We've been holding off on declaring records based on the new real-time battery data until metered figures are published (usually next day) and this was *so* much higher than the previous record of 275MW we figured it might be a mistake...but no, looks like the data's pretty reliable 🎯
🚨 Battery discharge early yesterday evening reached a new all-time high of 396MW, equal to 5.6% of electricity demand at the time.
Cork's Aghada plant the biggest contributor.
Recent changes in scheduling and dispatch already making a difference on these high demand, low wind nights.
Cork's Aghada plant the biggest contributor.
Recent changes in scheduling and dispatch already making a difference on these high demand, low wind nights.
November 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
We've been holding off on declaring records based on the new real-time battery data until metered figures are published (usually next day) and this was *so* much higher than the previous record of 275MW we figured it might be a mistake...but no, looks like the data's pretty reliable 🎯
Reposted by Trevor Johnston
its on github. i uploaded it up on bitbucket. its running in a docker container on gleeple. im selfhosting it on feep. its on a virtual environment in pooble. bro its literally on weewee
April 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
its on github. i uploaded it up on bitbucket. its running in a docker container on gleeple. im selfhosting it on feep. its on a virtual environment in pooble. bro its literally on weewee
"Junior Cert essay" the best take-down I've seen yet of the Collison essay 😆
(mine, less amusing: why would anyone want planning advice from a guy who relocated his mega-corp from downtown San Francisco to the suburbs with no apparent attempt to use his sway to improve the city?)
(mine, less amusing: why would anyone want planning advice from a guy who relocated his mega-corp from downtown San Francisco to the suburbs with no apparent attempt to use his sway to improve the city?)
This ... that Collison junior-cert essay ... the attacks on judicial reviews.
You'd swear they all looked at Musk's DOGE and thought it was something to try over here.
You'd swear they all looked at Musk's DOGE and thought it was something to try over here.
Bureaucracy, indecisiveness, and institutional inertia is acting as a hidden tax on progress, Minister of State Robert Troy has warned
November 14, 2025 at 10:11 AM
"Junior Cert essay" the best take-down I've seen yet of the Collison essay 😆
(mine, less amusing: why would anyone want planning advice from a guy who relocated his mega-corp from downtown San Francisco to the suburbs with no apparent attempt to use his sway to improve the city?)
(mine, less amusing: why would anyone want planning advice from a guy who relocated his mega-corp from downtown San Francisco to the suburbs with no apparent attempt to use his sway to improve the city?)
Firm belief: free parking is theft.
My dream world: you don't get to object to parking charges on the grounds that public transport isn't good enough unless you've previously advocated for...better public transport.
Likely scenario: the paid parking was going to be, like, €1/day anyway 🤦♂️
My dream world: you don't get to object to parking charges on the grounds that public transport isn't good enough unless you've previously advocated for...better public transport.
Likely scenario: the paid parking was going to be, like, €1/day anyway 🤦♂️
A proposal to bring in charges at coastal car parks prompted a flood of objections from Fingal residents. The charges would unfairly penalise people who’ve no option other than to drive because of a lack of viable public transport options to the beach, said one.
A proposal to bring in charges at coastal car parks prompts a flood of objections from Fingal residents
The charges would unfairly penalise people who’ve no option other than to drive because of a lack of viable public transport options to the beach, said one.
www.dublininquirer.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Firm belief: free parking is theft.
My dream world: you don't get to object to parking charges on the grounds that public transport isn't good enough unless you've previously advocated for...better public transport.
Likely scenario: the paid parking was going to be, like, €1/day anyway 🤦♂️
My dream world: you don't get to object to parking charges on the grounds that public transport isn't good enough unless you've previously advocated for...better public transport.
Likely scenario: the paid parking was going to be, like, €1/day anyway 🤦♂️
On a personal note, I was delighted to see batteries suddenly appear in our real-time charts yesterday afternoon. All I had to do for today's report was re-word "discharging pumped storage" to "discharging storage" ⛰️ 🔋
*Pretty* sure @greencollective.io has the best real-time Irish grid data 😊
*Pretty* sure @greencollective.io has the best real-time Irish grid data 😊
Changes to scheduling and dispatch on the grid manifesting here with the appearance of batteries in our morning report for the first time.
As always, we'll be carefully comparing this with the final metered and dispatch data, once available; for now, take this report with a (tiny!) grain of salt 🤞
As always, we'll be carefully comparing this with the final metered and dispatch data, once available; for now, take this report with a (tiny!) grain of salt 🤞
Renewable generation and discharging storage equalled 35% of yesterday's electricity demand, with a peak of 54% at 23:00. Fossil fuel generation (mostly gas) equalled 45% of demand. 0% of generation was exported, 21% of demand was met by imports.
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
On a personal note, I was delighted to see batteries suddenly appear in our real-time charts yesterday afternoon. All I had to do for today's report was re-word "discharging pumped storage" to "discharging storage" ⛰️ 🔋
*Pretty* sure @greencollective.io has the best real-time Irish grid data 😊
*Pretty* sure @greencollective.io has the best real-time Irish grid data 😊
This edition was -- thanks to some galaxy brain planning -- mostly penned in various Paris coffee shops before polishing it off on the TGV back to Zurich (it's a hard life).
Carbon emissions aside, I'm most happy with our dispatch down analysis: why turn down wind generation in favour of imports? 🧐
Carbon emissions aside, I'm most happy with our dispatch down analysis: why turn down wind generation in favour of imports? 🧐
What's (almost) as good as a new high in renewable generation? A new *low* in fossil fuel generation 🏭
Find out more in our October 2025's "Irish Grid Monthly", now available to all our newsletter subscribers. Free sign-up link in our profile!
Find out more in our October 2025's "Irish Grid Monthly", now available to all our newsletter subscribers. Free sign-up link in our profile!
November 6, 2025 at 10:08 AM
This edition was -- thanks to some galaxy brain planning -- mostly penned in various Paris coffee shops before polishing it off on the TGV back to Zurich (it's a hard life).
Carbon emissions aside, I'm most happy with our dispatch down analysis: why turn down wind generation in favour of imports? 🧐
Carbon emissions aside, I'm most happy with our dispatch down analysis: why turn down wind generation in favour of imports? 🧐
Always better when @philipb-h.bsky.social is subbing but, of all the problems with Ireland's immigration system, an extended bit on returning emigrants' driving licenses (of all things) seems...cursory? Lots of hoopla regarding the recent R1 presenter shuffle, zero about *producers*.
#SpeirGorm
#SpeirGorm
November 3, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Always better when @philipb-h.bsky.social is subbing but, of all the problems with Ireland's immigration system, an extended bit on returning emigrants' driving licenses (of all things) seems...cursory? Lots of hoopla regarding the recent R1 presenter shuffle, zero about *producers*.
#SpeirGorm
#SpeirGorm
Wondering if Switzerland's concept of oral contracts is behind such an easy switch in mobile phone providers. Spoke with a human for ~15m: they handle number transfer; SIM arrives today; a deal for the other half. Small chance I agreed to something silly, but our monthly bill drops by >100 CHF (!)
October 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Wondering if Switzerland's concept of oral contracts is behind such an easy switch in mobile phone providers. Spoke with a human for ~15m: they handle number transfer; SIM arrives today; a deal for the other half. Small chance I agreed to something silly, but our monthly bill drops by >100 CHF (!)
Although I really hate when mistakes like this happen, the couple of hours spent debugging usually highlights a bunch of possible improvements to our pipeline 🤷♂️
(Bluesky's a great way to share news in near-realtime, at the risk of occasional gun jumping like this - which we'll always correct).
(Bluesky's a great way to share news in near-realtime, at the risk of occasional gun jumping like this - which we'll always correct).
Sorry folks: SEMO's numbers - published yesterday - show we were a bit off here, with gas and waste-to-energy bottoming out at 1060MW. Low, but far from the current record of 925MW set in September 2023.
Short story: the sources don't always add up to *exactly* 100%, and we're always improving! 🙋♂️🙋♀️
Short story: the sources don't always add up to *exactly* 100%, and we're always improving! 🙋♂️🙋♀️
October 21, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Although I really hate when mistakes like this happen, the couple of hours spent debugging usually highlights a bunch of possible improvements to our pipeline 🤷♂️
(Bluesky's a great way to share news in near-realtime, at the risk of occasional gun jumping like this - which we'll always correct).
(Bluesky's a great way to share news in near-realtime, at the risk of occasional gun jumping like this - which we'll always correct).
*mentally steels himself for this to get literally no wider attention until, say, June 2026 when the Irish EPA (or a similar organisation - who do great work, but at very different speeds than we're used to) put out a press release* 🤷♂️
Our 500+ newsletter subscribers seem to appreciate it, though!
Our 500+ newsletter subscribers seem to appreciate it, though!
Even in a month full of notable highs and lows, one stood out: during September, the Irish grid emitted its least amount of CO₂ in a single month in modern times.
Our estimate is 577k tonnes. A lot but, as the chart below shows, just a few years ago we were seeing months with almost *1.4M tonnes*.`
Our estimate is 577k tonnes. A lot but, as the chart below shows, just a few years ago we were seeing months with almost *1.4M tonnes*.`
October 10, 2025 at 9:37 AM
*mentally steels himself for this to get literally no wider attention until, say, June 2026 when the Irish EPA (or a similar organisation - who do great work, but at very different speeds than we're used to) put out a press release* 🤷♂️
Our 500+ newsletter subscribers seem to appreciate it, though!
Our 500+ newsletter subscribers seem to appreciate it, though!
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles—it's the Irish electric grid in September!
The September issue of "Irish Grid Monthly" is now available on our website. RESS, dispatch down, a new solar farm, and *so* *many* *records*!
Our newsletter subscribers receive these reports on the 1st of each month -- sign-up for free now and join them! 📥
www.greencollective.io/post/monthly...
Our newsletter subscribers receive these reports on the 1st of each month -- sign-up for free now and join them! 📥
www.greencollective.io/post/monthly...
Irish Grid Monthly: September 2025
www.greencollective.io
October 7, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles—it's the Irish electric grid in September!
By an amazing coincidence, we happen to be in Dublin this week for Solar Ireland's annual conference. What a delight it was earlier today to pop into Eason's for a copy of the Irish Times and see Green Collective's name in print before boarding the #4 bus to the RDS 😊
Thanks @hannahdaly.ie for this shout-out to Green Collective in today's Irish Times! We're delighted to be included in this sweeping review of the incredible growth of solar around the world last few years 🌍 🌎 🌏
BTW, we can report generation from Irish solar farms reached 1TWh during September ☀️
BTW, we can report generation from Irish solar farms reached 1TWh during September ☀️
October 2, 2025 at 11:46 AM
By an amazing coincidence, we happen to be in Dublin this week for Solar Ireland's annual conference. What a delight it was earlier today to pop into Eason's for a copy of the Irish Times and see Green Collective's name in print before boarding the #4 bus to the RDS 😊