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The Journal
03-05-2025
- General
- The Journal
What if Ireland had a power blackout? A leading emergency expert tells us how you could prepare
POWER OUTAGES IN Spain and Portugal this week might have you wargaming how best to approach a nationwide blackout. Spain's top court is investigating whether or not the incident, which impacted the Iberian peninsula for over 24 hours, was an act of sabotage, a cyber attack or something else. The possibility of a concerted cyber attack is something that the Irish State recently practiced for. The Journal revealed that a 'Zero Day' scenario tested how Ireland would deal with a total loss of internet and communication systems. To get a better understanding of how the everyday person might approach this event, and how to be best-prepared, The Journal spoke to Caroline McMullan, a Professor at Dublin City University and chair of the emergency management course in the country. The Masters'-level course, the first of its kind in Ireland, is offered to public service and business professionals to improve their understanding of the theory, concepts and methods of responding to unprecedented events. McMullan last year published the National Risk Assessment which detailed the potential dangers for Ireland and methods to mitigate them. The threats ranged from resistance to antibiotics and threats to undersea cables. She went through the must-know basics on how to react to situations without power. Simple ways to approach the situation Every great reaction starts with a plan. McMullan said every household should prepare for emergency events and researchers at DCU have developed a basic list of 15 items. It includes a three-day supply of food and water, eight-day supplies of medicine, a first aid kit, a torch and a battery-powered radio. DCU's Household Preparedness Items also includes an alternative heat source, a shovel, a bag of salt, a large drinking-water container, extra batteries, candles, matches or a lighter, emergency contact information, an evacuation list and an emergency cash supply. DCU's Household Preparedness Items includes items like food, water, medicine, a heat source, extra batteries and a torch. Alamy, file Alamy, file McMullan's 2024 survey into household preparedness in Ireland, conducted in the context of the response to Storm Emma in 2018, found that the majority of households have access to additional food but fewer than half have make plans for situations where there is no access to water. In March, European crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib recorded a video which detailed everything the EU would like citizens to include in a '72-hour self-sufficiency kit'. The tone of the video was criticised by some users on the platform as being like a 'joke' but McMullan said the information was in line with best practice, according to DCU's research. Advertisement The items ranged from pair of glasses and a waterproof passport pouch to a Swiss army knife and wireless radio. 'While the video's delivery style is a little unusual, the fundamental message is sound,' McMullan said. She added: 'I think planning for self-sufficiency for 72 hours is an excellent idea and one that we should all consider.' How to prepare McMullan said Storm Emma presented her with an opportunity to research Ireland's level of preparedness to major weather events and national emergencies. She found that while nearly 60% of households planned for power losses, only 45% sought additional information about the intensity of the weather event. Asked how best to prepare, the emergency management expert said collecting and maintaining the 15 basic items is a 'good start', adding that she would also recommend that households have an emergency method of cooking. 'These are basic items, but they do improve resilience,' McMullan said, adding that the public should also read how best to prepare for emergency events included in the annual National Risk Assessment, detailing the dangers to the state. 'National preparedness has two key dimensions: having national structures in place to prepare for and manage such an emergency and having well-prepared energy companies,' she said. Ways to mitigate? McMullan described that Ireland's emergency management system as 'robust' and commended its ability to adapt to different situations based on expert input, public consultations as well as departmental and international benchmarking. 'Our systematic approach ensures that risks are not only assessed and prioritised but also monitored, exercised through tabletop and live exercises, and continuously reviewed for improvement,' she said. The professor said that Ireland needs a 'strong energy sector', however. While the current systems serve the public well, she said, 'a national electricity grid has to be finely balanced', from a risk perspective. This is because the amount of electricity generated must match the amount being used in real time. If that falls out of sync, it can lead to instability, she added. Instability had been reportedly seen before Spain and Portugal's mass blackouts after dozens of small outages took place over the last number of months. The short-term blips have been linked to Spain's quick shift to renewable energy sources. Maintaining a balanced energy grid is key to responding to emergency situations, McMullan said. McMullan said maintaining power demand does include having to account for the amount of energy generated from renewable sources adjusting the supply to meet the correct levels of use. Following Storm Éowyn this year, The Journal saw how towns in Galway worked together to assist members of their communities during mass power outages and impacts to water supplies. McMullan said building community resilience is 'vital' to the overall durability of the country in times of emergencies. She added: 'We all have a role to play. Local preparedness strengthens our collective ability to respond to emergencies, and initiatives like community response groups are a great example of that spirit in action.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. 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Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rising Water Tables in the Southern U.S. Spotlight Need for Sustainable, Waterproof Concrete Solutions
With $1.5T of property at risk, Kryton International addresses 'threat from below' with proven waterproof concrete admixtures that stand up to flooding and other severe weather HOUSTON, TX / / May 1, 2025 / With rising water tables and an uptick in extreme weather events across the Southern United States, engineers, builders, and municipalities are turning to Smart Concrete as a long-term, sustainable solution to fortify critical infrastructure against flood risks, abrasion, corrosion and climate-related damage. Recent studies have shown that groundwater levels across states like Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and Georgia are increasing due to a combination of sea level rise, heavy rainfall patterns, and overburdened drainage systems. Consequently, there are higher likelihoods of flooding not just along coasts, but inland as well, putting foundations, stormwater systems, and essential infrastructure at increasing risk of failure. According to First Street's 2025 National Risk Assessment, which projects a nearly $1.5 trillion dollar drop in property values from climate-related migration patterns, the nation's most risky markets for climate-related property loss are all in Texas, including the metropolitan areas of Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Houston - all of which have experienced recent population surges amid increasing insurance costs associated with extreme weather. Smaller markets have been less resilient to these economic and environmental threats. For instance, in Jefferson County, Ala., the damage has already been done, triggering a 9.4 percent spike in climate-related insurance costs and a subsequent 25 percent plunge in population, the report found. Key infrastructure such as highways, airports and large-capacity garages are increasingly vulnerable to water-related corrosion in the South and that durable concrete is a viable long-term solution to those challenges, according to Patrick Kelly, Territory Manager - Central U.S. for Kryton International, a leading manufacturer of high-performance concrete. "It's largely a threat from below," Kelly said of the South's rising water tables and increasing flood risks. "Traditional concrete structures can deteriorate rapidly when exposed to persistent water pressure, freeze-thaw cycles, and chemical ingress. Our waterproof concrete technology is designed to combat these exact challenges while reducing the need for costly maintenance and repair." Waterproof Concrete: A Sustainable Advantage Unlike surface coatings or short-term sealants, waterproof concrete is engineered at the mix level with crystalline admixtures that resist moisture intrusion from the inside out. When compared to traditional concrete, this internal waterproofing not only prolongs structural life but also contributes to sustainability goals by: Reducing carbon-generating material waste from repairs and replacements Improving lifecycle performance with lower initial carbon footprint Enhancing climate resilience in transportation, utility, and commercial infrastructure Waterproof concrete is increasingly being adopted in: Underground parking structures and basements Tunnels, culverts, and stormwater management systems Coastal and low-lying public works projects High-performance industrial facilities in flood-prone regions "With even more extreme weather on the horizon, future-ready construction starts with resilient materials," said Kryton International's Vice President for Product Development, Kevin Yuers. "Waterproof concrete isn't just a product - it's a strategy for climate adaptation." ABOUT KRYTON Kryton International Inc. is the inventor of the crystalline waterproofing admixture and has been waterproofing concrete structures with its proprietary Krystol® technology since 1973. Kryton has won awards for innovation, manufacturing, best place to work, and entrepreneurship. Kryton is an active member of the American Concrete Institute, International Concrete Repair Institute, American Shotcrete Association, and many other thought-leading organizations. Kryton exports its products to more than 50 countries globally. Contact Details Kryton International, King+1 914-513-6895aking@ Company Website SOURCE: KRYTON View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
RTÉ News
23-04-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Engineers question Government target to decarbonise electricity sector by 2050
An all-island body representing engineers has questioned the feasibility of the Government's target of decarbonising the electricity sector by 2050. The Irish Academy of Engineering has highlighted what it called "the absence of a plan to deliver the 350 large energy infrastructure projects needed in the electricity sector". The organisation has called for the development of sufficient liquified natural gas capacity to address the security of supply risk "identified continually" in the State's National Risk Assessment since 2014. It said if targets of electrifying heating and transport by 2050 are to be met, the power requirement in Ireland will increase from 34 terawatt hours in 2024 to about 80 terawatt hours. The organisation said this would require the completion of a programme of over 350 large energy infrastructure projects. The organisation said: "Government has set a target to achieve a zero-emissions electricity system by 2050 - and accepted the imposition of enormous interim financial penalties by the EU if this objective is not achieved - without first understanding and demonstrating how it is feasible." It said this had been done without estimating how much this would cost and what impact it would have "on the already high prices consumers pay for their electricity".
TAG 91.1
15-02-2025
- Business
- TAG 91.1
UAE anti-money laundering committee receives 8k questionnaires
The submission of more than 8,000 questionnaires reflects the private sector's active engagement with risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing says a leading UAE figurehead. Secretary-General and Vice Chairman of the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC) Hamid AlZaabi, said that private sector and financial institutions are considered key partners in delivering the UAE's AML/CFT programme and completing the National Risk Assessment (NRA) process. AlZaabi noted that the reports submitted by financial and non-financial institutions, as well as the private sector, witnessed a 26 per cent increase in the year 2024, reflecting the strengthening of collective understanding of these risks. He stated that the UAE's NRA led to significant legal amendments, including the 2024 update to the UAE's Anti-Money Laundering Law, to address evolving financial crime trends. AlZaabi also noted that virtual assets remain a high-risk category globally and that the UAE continues to enhance its financial sector's performance through deep and comprehensive risk understanding. 'This ongoing effort strengthens the country's ability to adapt to future financial challenges.' The previous NRA played a key role in advancing progress in 2024 in this regard, culminating in the launch of the National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing for 2024-27. The strategy outlines 11 primary objectives, 200 sub-goals, and over 1,000 initiatives aimed at achieving its targets by 2027, reinforcing the UAE's global leadership in this field, he added. AlZaabi reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to updating national regulations and policies to align with international best practices, ensuring readiness for the International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) mutual evaluation, which will start at the end of the year. He further highlighted that these efforts have led to continuous policy and legislative updates, helping maintain the stability of both the national and global financial systems. The UAE, he stressed, remains proactive in addressing emerging challenges and strengthening its position as a global leader in combating financial and economic crimes.
Dubai Eye
15-02-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
UAE anti-money laundering committee receives 8k questionnaires
The submission of more than 8,000 questionnaires reflects the private sector's active engagement with risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing says a leading UAE figurehead. Secretary-General and Vice Chairman of the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC) Hamid AlZaabi, said that private sector and financial institutions are considered key partners in delivering the UAE's AML/CFT programme and completing the National Risk Assessment (NRA) process. AlZaabi noted that the reports submitted by financial and non-financial institutions, as well as the private sector, witnessed a 26 per cent increase in the year 2024, reflecting the strengthening of collective understanding of these risks. He stated that the UAE's NRA led to significant legal amendments, including the 2024 update to the UAE's Anti-Money Laundering Law, to address evolving financial crime trends. AlZaabi also noted that virtual assets remain a high-risk category globally and that the UAE continues to enhance its financial sector's performance through deep and comprehensive risk understanding. 'This ongoing effort strengthens the country's ability to adapt to future financial challenges.' The previous NRA played a key role in advancing progress in 2024 in this regard, culminating in the launch of the National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing for 2024-27. The strategy outlines 11 primary objectives, 200 sub-goals, and over 1,000 initiatives aimed at achieving its targets by 2027, reinforcing the UAE's global leadership in this field, he added. AlZaabi reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to updating national regulations and policies to align with international best practices, ensuring readiness for the International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) mutual evaluation, which will start at the end of the year. He further highlighted that these efforts have led to continuous policy and legislative updates, helping maintain the stability of both the national and global financial systems. The UAE, he stressed, remains proactive in addressing emerging challenges and strengthening its position as a global leader in combating financial and economic crimes. AlZaabi continued, 'The strategy goes beyond legal aspects, encompassing economic, security, and media dimensions, as well as capacity-building efforts.''
