Insights Series – Designing for a Sustainable Future with Energy Efficiency 2024

Commitment towards sustainability in engineering has by no means peaked but efforts to date are starting to benefit society and the environment. Intelligent, eco-friendly designs are redefining the global landscape for a more resilient future.

Through conscientious engineering, sustainable structures can be designed and built in a cost-effective manner, with each project leaving a positive imprint on the planet. Embracing ecofriendly designs should be a standard practice in every design company strategy from project conception to handover.

Energy-efficient engineering design is a powerful tool for building a sustainable future. Engineers in all disciplines, now play an increasingly vital role in shaping a more sustainable world for future generations. Designing for energy efficiency is a critical approach to creating systems, products, and structures that minimise energy consumption while maximising performance.

By utilising strategies such as efficient insulation, smart building automation, and the incorporation of renewable energy sources, engineers can significantly enhance overall efficiency and sustainability across various sectors.

Moreover, energy-efficient engineering design extends beyond the initial design and construction phase. Through ongoing maintenance and optimisation, engineers can ensure that systems continue to operate at peak efficiency, maximising energy savings and reducing carbon emissions over time. This lifecycle approach emphasises the importance of continuous improvement and innovation in achieving sustainability goals.

A growing number of industries are prioritising energy and carbon reduction strategies as part of their commitment to sustainability and journey to net zero. These forward-thinking organisations recognise the dual benefits of reducing their environmental impact while also reaping significant financial rewards. By leveraging innovative technologies and implementing sustainable practices, companies are not only mitigating their carbon footprint but also improving their bottom line.

In today’s competitive landscape, sustainability is a key differentiator for companies seeking to enhance their market position and attract environmentally conscious investors and consumers. Through initiatives such as energy-efficient equipment, optimising manufacturing processes, and integrating renewable energy, companies are demonstrating their dedication to responsible stewardship of resources while simultaneously driving operational efficiency and cost savings.

A key aspects of energy-efficient engineering design is its ability to leverage sustainable materials. From recycled materials to those with lower embodied energy, the choice of materials plays a crucial role in minimising environmental impact. By selecting materials that are durable, energy-efficient, and responsibly sourced, engineers can create structures and products that are environmentally friendly as well as economically viable in the long run.

Green engineering practices are transforming the way every sector operates, aligning it with a more environmentally conscious future. The integration of eco-friendly practices and innovative designs showcase the industry’s commitment to responsible engineering for resilient infrastructure.

Tandem’s engineers are well equipped with the technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities to balance the delivery of pioneering solutions that minimise environmental impact.

Get in touch to discuss how Tandem can assist with your sustainability goals for 2024 and beyond!

Annual Greenway Cycle 2024

Tandem’s Thrive committee held its annual Greenway cycle this weekend, the 27th April.

It’s always a great opportunity for personnel to get to know each other outside of the office, to get out into nature and have some fun. The greenway path never fails to deliver stunning vistas along the way, regardless of the weather!

We were delighted to welcome some family members who braved cold and wet conditions to cycle the 44kms from Dungarvan to Kilmacthomas and back.

TY Week 2024

Tandem Project Management held their TY Programme this week with 21 participants. We were delighted to have representatives from Carrigaline Community School, St. Francis Rochestown, Ursuline College Blackrock, Christian Brothers College, Edmund Rice Catholic College, Scoil Mhuire Cork ad Glanmire Community College.

Tandem delivered a comprehensive programme covering civil structural engineering, building services engineering, project controls, electrical engineering, process engineering, digital transformation, finance, environmental health and safety and project management.

The TY students were briefed on career path options within each discipline and what it’s like to study and work in those areas. They were then given a practical lesson and issued a discipline specific task to accomplish.

Many thanks to everyone involved in participating and to our presenters!
Thanks to Craig Hackett, Jason Cullinane, Courtney Welch, Patrick Kirt, Matthew Davidson, Sean Lehane, Alan O’ Regan, Eoin Lynch, Joe Golden, Sam Lee, Oisin Griffin, Maedbh Duignan and Julieanne Martin.

February Thrive Updates 2024

WeEscape:

Tandem’s Thrive committee arranged a team challenge with WeEscape, Cork. Teams were given sixty minutes to solve puzzles, clues, use props, avoid red herrings and solve their way out of a room.

A great evening of team work, critical thinking, creativity and fun. Happy to report that everyone made it out!

Employee Appreciation Day 2024:

Tandem celebrated Employee Appreciation Day with delicious cupcakes from Fitzpatricks Foodstore, Glounthaune. Tandem’s achievements are only made possible thanks to the hard work of our dedicated personnel.

It is our team that delivers success to our clients’ projects and delivers on their resource requirements, it is our team that drives innovation, learning and development and it is our team that promotes wellbeing and gives back to the community. Tandem wishes to thank all its personnel for their hard work, their contributions to meeting our goals and objectives, and their commitment to Tandem.

Thrive Events in January

Tandem held two social events in January to kickstart 2024 on a positive note. To celebrate diversity in Tandem, the Thrive committee organised a shared lunch and invited people to bring Irish & international foods to share. This was a big hit and will become a regular event in Tandem.

A group then headed to the Ice-Skating rink at Fota Island. We had some beginners and some more experienced skaters, but everyone in the group had fun.
Tandem’s Thrive committee is looking forward to many more social events this year.

STEPS Engineers Ireland Young Engineers Award

Tandems Advance Graduates were delighted to take part in this year’s STEPS Young Engineers Award.

This competition encourages 3rd and 4th class pupils to explore the world of engineering by developing an engineering project that would help improve their local community.

Tandems engineers visited schools nationwide, in person and virtually, and the pupils had the opportunity to showcase their engineering projects. Our engineers spoke to the class about the reasons they chose a career in engineering, insight into their day-to-day roles as well as the role engineering plays in the environment around us.

“The school visit was fantastic. They were a very engaging class, full of questions and stories!”

“We were very impressed with all the class projects and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Biannual Townhall

Tandem were delighted to hold its biannual town hall on Friday, 1st December in the Clayton Hotel, Silver Springs. Our core team travelled from all over Ireland to attend this event and hear about the listen to the company’s goals, and achievements throughout the year.

2023 has been a successful year for Tandem in all aspects. Tandem’s townhalls offer an opportunity to celebrate employee achievements, project progress, team success as well as look forward to achieving more goals together in 2024.

Career Fairs 2023

Tandem was delighted to attend Universities across Munster for their annual career’s fairs. Universities included University College Cork, Munster Technological University and South-East Technological University. These events provide Tandem with the opportunity to meet up and coming professionals seeking graduate or work placement opportunities.

Tandem is delighted to announce that its Advance Graduate Program is now accepting applications for students aiming to kick start their careers in 2024. Tandem’s Advance Graduate Program is accredited by Engineers Ireland. This 2-year programme offers training and support to develop technical knowledge and experience. Advance graduates gain substantial expertise in their chosen engineering discipline, exposure to other disciplines, design office and site experience.  

Apply now!

MTU Work Placement Day

The Munster Technological University’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering Faculty had their inaugural Work Placement Day in September 2023. The day aims to showcase work placements by having students present a poster of their experience. Tandem was delighted to be one of six companies in attendance.

Students Olivia Hay and Alan O’Regan represented Tandem at the event, discussing their experience with all students from 1st to 4th year.

Alan and Olivia have been a great addition to Tandem’s electrical engineering team during their placements and wonderful ambassadors for Tandem in their faculty.

The poster will remain on display in the department hallway for all students to reference, hopefully it will provide some inspiration to other students!