Making energy savings simple, accessible, and impactful
At SustainabilityExamples.com, we shine a light on practical, scalable climate solutions that deliver measurable results — and this month’s spotlight goes to an innovative, research-driven tool that’s helping households across Ireland cut costs and carbon.
We’re proud to name the UCD Energy Institute as our Solution of the Month for May 2025 for their Energy Cost Calculator — a user-friendly online tool that empowers individuals to track energy use, understand their electricity bills, and take real steps toward a lower carbon footprint.
💡 Why They Won
Each month, we evaluate solutions based on six key criteria that reflect the values of our community of corporate sustainability leaders, climate innovators, and practitioners:
✅ Engagement – Their solution sparked strong interest and engagement across our platform
✅ Impact – The calculator offers real, measurable energy and emissions savings
✅ Storytelling Inspiration – Demonstrates how academic research can drive everyday climate action
✅ Innovation – Leverages smart meter data in a way that’s easy for anyone to use
✅ Scalability – A solution that can scale across homes, regions, and sectors
✅ Business & ESG Alignment – Supports household savings while driving carbon reductions
The Energy Cost Calculator impressed us by turning something complex — smart meter data and energy rates — into a clear, helpful tool that anyone can use.
“Solutions like the Energy Cost Calculator are exactly what SustainabilityExamples.com was built to spotlight — accessible, actionable innovations that empower people to take part in climate action,”
said Andrew Sheehan, Founder of SustainabilityExamples.com.
⚙️ What the Energy Cost Calculator Does
The tool is designed to help Irish households take back control of their energy bills while contributing to the national climate effort. It allows users to:
🔌 Monitor Real-Time Usage – See how and when electricity is being used
💶 Understand Costs – Break down usage by time-of-use pricing
📉 Receive Tailored Advice – Get specific, data-driven recommendations to cut usage
🌍 Track Carbon Impact – Watch your personal footprint shrink over time
As Michael Noonan, Sustainability Demonstration Research Coordinator at the UCD Energy Institute, explains:
“We wanted to create a tool that not only saves money, but also contributes to a more sustainable future.”
🌍 Why It Matters
With energy costs rising and the demand for climate literacy growing, the Energy Cost Calculator bridges the gap between awareness and action. It transforms passive consumers into active participants in Ireland’s energy transition — using technology that already exists in homes.
This solution shows what’s possible when academic institutions build tools not just for knowledge, but for impact.
📈 Explore their full story on SustainabilityExamples.com:
⚡ Try the tool for yourself:
💬 Want to Be Our Next Solution of the Month?
We’re always looking to spotlight meaningful, real-world sustainability solutions. If your organisation is working on something impactful, we invite you to launch it on SustainabilityExamples.com and gain visibility across a community of decision-makers, partners, and potential collaborators.