Welcome to Powered by Paul – a bite-sized blog series where our Technical Director, Paul Boylan, shares sharp insights on energy efficiency, sustainability, and smarter systems.
Each post is short, practical, and pulled straight from the field—no fluff, just expert perspective from someone who lives and breathes efficient energy.
Engineering, operations, sustainability — Paul Boylan has always been hands-on when it comes to making systems smarter and greener. His recent focus has been on driving real-world energy efficiency through smart initiatives, awareness, and practical action. Whether it’s boosting corporate responsibility or scaling sustainable solutions, Paul’s about connecting the dots and making it happen.
As Co-Founder and Technical Director of Vivid Edge, he helps organisations sidestep the “race to the bottom” by accessing high-performance energy solutions — without tying up capital. His work helps customers achieve savings, resilience, and real climate impact from day one.
Now that you’ve met Paul and what drives his work, it’s time to dive into his latest insights.
This page is updated regularly.
Paul’s latest posts always appear first, so check back often for fresh takes on energy efficiency, sustainability, and smarter business solutions—served short and sharp.
Powered by Paul
Solar and Cyber Security
2025.06.05. Paul Boylan
I’m a strong advocate for Solar PV, but here’s a timely reminder that cyber resilience needs to be part of the conversation too.
Thanks to my friend Ian for sharing this important Security Week article highlighting that over 35,000 solar power systems are currently exposed to the internet, many with known vulnerabilities or outdated firmware. Some are already being exploited by botnets.
Big names like SMA, Fronius, and Growatt appear on the list, with thousands of devices left accessible online … often unintentionally.
May sound a little over dramatic but this could expose a risk where poorly secured installations can become entry points for cyber threats and operational disruption. The recent widespread grid failure across Spain and Portugal just shows how fragile our energy infrastructure can be and how vulnerable we remain.
One question we often hear at Vivid Edge is:
“Why would we use someone else’s capital when we could just buy the system ourselves?” ….. This is just one of the reasons why.
Our Solar as a Service model (SaaS) delivers clean energy without the security risk or capital burden. We don’t just supply the solar… We own, monitor, and maintain the system throughout the service term, with ownership of the system transferred to the client at the end of the term.
Our approach includes:
- Secure installation by design – We work with trusted partners to ensure private networks and secure protocols with no exposed devices or default setups.
- Ongoing updates and cyber hygiene – Software/Firmare updates, access control, maintenance and monitoring are all part of the service.
- End-to-end service term support – From day one, we manage system performance, resilience, and security.
- No hidden surprises.
- No upfront capital – You gain the carbon and cost savings without tying up budget or adding internal complexity.
- Peace of mind – We stay accountable throughout the term. You get clean, reliable energy without the operational risk.
At Vivid Edge, we believe your energy system should be clean, connected, and secure. That’s what Solar as a Service is all about.
If you’re exploring solar and want the benefits without the burden, let’s talk.
Another Bright Tip from Paul – Scroll Smart, Save Smarter
Office Buildings Are Energy Goldmines – Top 10 Energy Efficiency Upgrades
2025.05.28. Paul Boylan
Office buildings may seem straightforward however when you factor in HVAC, lighting, plug loads, and building controls, they represent a huge opportunity for energy, carbon, and cost savings.
And with ESG, tenant expectations, and energy costs rising, owners and occupiers are under pressure to act, without necessarily having the budget or bandwidth to do it themselves.
Here are the Top 10 Measures we typically assess in office facilities:
1. LED Lighting Upgrades with Occupancy & Daylight Controls – Cut lighting costs by up to 80% and improve comfort.
2. Insulation & Building Envelope Improvements – Improve thermal comfort and cut heating/cooling loads.
3. Smart Building Management Systems (BMS) – Integrate HVAC, lighting, and energy management into a unified control strategy.
*Note this may be a mandatory requirement under S.I. No. 393 of 2022, where all non-residential buildings with heating or cooling systems over 290 kW (combined) must have a Building Automation and Control System (BACS) installed by 31st December 2024 – even existing buildings.
4. Water-to-Water or Air-to-Water Heat Pumps – Shift from fossil-fuel heating to low-carbon, efficient technologies.
5. High-Efficiency HVAC Systems & Controls – Upgrade chillers, boilers, and heat pumps for better comfort and lower costs.
6. Demand-Controlled Ventilation – Adjust airflow based on occupancy for better IAQ and energy use.
7. Solar PV Systems – Reduce electricity bills and carbon footprint with clean, on-site energy.
8. Battery Storage (BESS) – Maximise solar self-consumption and manage grid demand.
9. Sub-Metering & Real-Time Energy Monitoring – Identify anomalies, benchmark tenants, and make data-driven decisions.
10. Lift & Escalator Efficiency Measures – Small changes that add up in multi-storey commercial spaces.
Where does Vivid Edge come in?
With our Energy as a Service (EaaS) model, we deliver these upgrades with zero capital cost, zero resource drain, and performance guarantees built in.
That means lower energy bills, improved ESG performance, and better tenant satisfaction … without touching your capex budget.
Please contact us if you would like to know more
Another Bright Tip from Paul – Scroll Smart, Save Smarter
Cooling as a Service "CLaaS" - Smarter Chillers, Lower Carbon
2025.05.14. Paul Boylan
At Vivid Edge, we’re helping organisations rethink how they cool their buildings and processes. Chillers are essential across pharma, data centres, manufacturing, and commercial real estate but they’re often silent energy giants, quietly driving up electricity bills and emissions.
I appreciate that I have previously referenced “Refrigeration as a Service” (RaaS) however to my mind, “Refrigeration” often implies low-temperature/freezing applications (e.g., food/pharma) whereas “Chillers” are typically about comfort or process cooling.
With tightening F-Gas regulations, rising energy costs, and the pressure to deliver on net zero targets, the case for upgrading is stronger than ever.
But we know the barriers:
- capex constraints,
- technical complexity,
- and uncertainty around ROI.
That’s where Cooling as a Service (CLaaS) comes in.
What's changing in chiller tech?
Modern chillers have come a long way… Today’s systems offer dramatically higher SEER ratings, magnetic bearing compressors, variable speed drives, and smart controls that adapt to real-time demand. These aren’t just incremental upgrades … the transformation is significant.
Even better, waste heat from chillers can now be recovered and reused elsewhere on-site, from pre-heating water to offsetting space heating. That’s circular thinking, and it makes your cooling system part of a broader energy ecosystem.
At Vivid Edge, we offer:
❄️ Cooling as a Service (CLaaS) – turning capital cost into a manageable operational expense
❄️ Support for standalone CLaaS projects, or inclusion within a wider Energy as a Service (EaaS) programme
Bundled solutions including:
o Heat pumps
o LED lighting
o HVAC upgrades
o Solar PV coupled with Battery energy storage
o Motors & Drives upgrades.
o Energy monitoring and optimisation tools
This is all achievable with no upfront capital expenditure required.
Why act now?
o Chillers can be one of your largest energy loads
o New models offer 20–40% energy savings
o F-Gas phase-down means older systems may soon be non-compliant
o Remote monitoring keeps performance optimised over time
o Recovered heat = bonus energy savings
Cooling no longer needs to be a sunk cost. With Vivid Edge, it can become an engine for sustainability, resilience, and operational value.
Let’s cool smarter…. and build a cleaner, more efficient future.
Another Bright Tip from Paul – Scroll Smart, Save Smarter
Now is the time to act on solar — before the sweet spot closes
2025.05.13. Paul Boylan
At , we believe the clean energy transition is an imperative and not just a goal. Our role is to accelerate that transition, offering Energy as a Service to help organisations like yours decarbonise without upfront capital. We support a range of technologies… from solar PV and LED lighting to high-performance heat pumps, building controls, and battery storage… tailored to your site, your energy profile, and your financial priorities.
Why Solar, and Why Now?
Solar PV is currently one of the cheapest forms of clean energy available. Module prices fell sharply in 2023 and 2024 due to oversupply, lower polysilicon costs, and intense manufacturing competition, particularly from China. While that has been great for buyers, prices are expected to stabilise and likely start increasing towards the back end of the year as global demand rebounds and trade protections emerge. So, yes… solar is relatively cheap now… but it won’t necessarily stay that way.
Supply chain signals point to rising demand, constrained grid capacity in many regions, and tightening trade policies. In short… the conditions we see today… low equipment costs, generous grants, and high energy prices, form a sweet spot for investment.
Clients Ask: Why Invest Now?
Because the cost of waiting is rising… financially, environmentally, and reputationally. Energy prices remain volatile. Every month without renewables locks you further into fossil-driven costs. Solar offers price certainty, long-term savings, and emissions reduction… today.
But it’s more than economics.
Climate Change: The Time Bomb We Can’t Ignore
Yes, the transition may have slowed west of the Atlantic, caught in policy whiplash and political backpedalling. But the science hasn’t changed… and we are seeing more floods, droughts, storms, food system shocks, and migration pressures. Climate change is an accelerating force hitting communities across the globe.
If ever there was a time to bolster our efforts, this is it. Every panel installed, every retrofit implemented, every kilowatt-hour saved is a step away from dependency and a move towards resilience.
And what if you do nothing!!
- Locally, inaction means exposure to energy volatility and stranded assets.
- Nationally, it weakens our competitiveness.
- Globally, it pushes us closer to those dreaded climate tipping points we won’t be able to reverse.
What Vivid Edge Brings
We remove the barriers.
With our Energy as a service model, you don’t need to find capital, manage contractors, or take technical risk.
We deliver funded upgrades that pay their way and cut emissions from day one.
More is more!!! It’s a pathway to a sustainable, future-proofed business.
And it starts with action… today.
Another Bright Tip from Paul – Scroll Smart, Save Smarter
Grid Services as a Service - the Missing Piece in Energy Strategy?
2025.04.29. Paul Boylan
The recent widespread grid failure across Spain and Portugal, as well as the recent power failure at Heathrow serve as a stark reminder of how fragile our energy infrastructure can be and how vulnerable we remain. As demand rises, weather extremes intensify, and renewables grow in share, the grid is under unprecedented strain and resilience has never been more critical.
Increasing energy efficiency remains vital!
That said, “when” and “how” we use energy is just as important as how much we use. That’s where Grid Services “as a Service” comes in.
At Vivid Edge, we work with grid services specialists to help clients unlock the hidden value of flexible energy assets… i.e. chillers, compressors, heat pumps, BESS, and HVO-fuelled backup generators all of which (depending on size) can be configured to support the grid through demand response and load shifting strategies…
These clean tech services not only provide the essential (efficient) heating, cooling, power, and resilience that your operations rely on every day, they can also be used dynamically to reduce carbon, support the grid, and potentially generate revenue.
By aligning energy use with grid needs, (especially during peak demand or high renewable output), it is possible to:
💡 Lower costs via avoided peak tariffs
💡 Monetise flexibility through capacity/grid support schemes
💡 Reduce emissions by shifting load to cleaner energy windows
💡 Enhance energy security and resilience
And the best part? We support this in a service model, so clients can access the tech, software, and strategy without the upfront capital or complexity.
If you’re already thinking solar, heat pumps, refrigeration upgrades or battery storage, why not go a step further and make those assets work smarter with the grid?
Flexibility = Opportunity.
Resilience = Security
Ready to consider a new approach?
Another Bright Tip from Paul – Scroll Smart, Save Smarter
Smarter Cooling, Cleaner Future - Why It’s Time to Rethink Refrigeration
2025.04.25. Paul Boylan
Refrigeration as a Service… Smarter Cooling, Cleaner Future
At Vivid Edge, we’re seeing a transformation in how organisations approach cooling. Refrigeration can often be amongst the highest energy users on-site (especially in sectors like food production, retail, pharma, and logistics). But it’s often overlooked.
The cost of doing nothing is rising… with electricity prices fluctuating, F-Gas regulations tightening, and net zero commitments looming, ageing refrigeration systems are not just inefficient, they’re becoming real liabilities.
The good news? New-generation refrigeration systems are smarter, cleaner, and more efficient than ever.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios) have improved significantly, thanks to advanced compressors, better controls, variable speed drives, and smarter monitoring. These innovations carve an opportunity to realise real optimisation.
Furthermore, the heat that refrigeration systems reject can now be recovered and reused. Instead of dumping waste heat into the atmosphere, that energy can provide space heating or preheat hot water, reducing fossil fuel use elsewhere on site.
In other words, modern refrigeration isn’t just about cooling… It can be part of a broader “integrated” energy strategy.
That’s why at Vivid Edge, we can support Refrigeration upgrades under our “Refrigeration as a Service” (RaaS), taking that capital cost and turning it into an operational expense while giving you a high efficiency, low carbon, resilient new system that works for your business.
Alternatively, we can bundle refrigeration into a broader suite of measures under our Energy as a Service package, where HVAC, heating, lighting, compressed air system upgrades and renewables interventions are all optimised together for maximum impact.
Why now?
- Energy savings of 15 – 40% are possible with modern, optimised systems.
- F-Gas compliance is critical! New rules are restricting high-GWP refrigerants
- Heat recovery turns a waste stream into a valuable resource
- No upfront capital cost with our “As a Service” model
- Potential to participate in and benefit from some “Grid Services” schemes
In many respects, your refrigeration system upgrade can serve as a strategic asset.
Ready to cut carbon and costs?
Another Bright Tip from Paul – Scroll Smart, Save Smarter
Cut the Speed, Cut the Cost: Inside the Motor Efficiency Fix
2025.04.23. Paul Boylan
🚨 Oversized motors = oversized energy bills
For decades, pumps and fans in commercial buildings have been routinely oversized, running at full speed regardless of demand. It was the norm but it’s no longer necessary.
Today’s high-efficiency induction motors (IE3–IE5) paired with variable speed drives (VSDs) are changing the game. By matching motor speed to the actual load, you can unlock significant savings and the “Cube Rule” explains why…
The “Cube rule,” or affinity law, for Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) on pumps and fans states that the power consumed by a pump or fan is proportional to the cube of its speed. This means that a small reduction in speed can lead to a significant decrease in power consumption, making VSDs an effective way to save energy
Flow rate ∝ speed… Torque ∝ speed²… and Power ∝ speed³
Simple example – Assuming an annual AUP of €0.25/kWh and annual operating hours of 4,160 hours, reducing the speed of a 22 kW extraction fan (FL efficiency 90%) by 20% delivers an annual saving of ~ €12,400, which is a 48.8% reduction in energy cost, under the Cube rule.
- It’s not just speed control: Additional savings are achievable…
- Better motor sizing (no more “just in case” oversizing)
- Advanced impeller and fan blade design (more efficient movement)
- Real-time optimisation through BMS and smart controls (demand based savings)
- Reduced wear & tear means reduced maintenance and extended asset life
At Vivid Edge, we help organisations capture these savings through our Energy as a Service (EaaS) model, supporting site-wide upgrades with no upfront capital.
- These “Bundled solutions” include
- Heat pump migrations
- Chillers/Refrigeration system upgrades
- Compressed Air upgrades
- HVAC upgrades
- LED lighting upgrades
- Solar PV coupled with Battery energy storage
- Energy monitoring and optimisation tools
These aren’t small wins… they’re strategic moves toward a lower-carbon, lower-cost future.
Another Bright Tip from Paul – Scroll Smart, Save Smarter
Still Lighting the Past? Time to Flip the Switch
2025.04.16. Paul Boylan
Lighting as a Service
💡 Still lighting the past? Time to catch up.
It still surprises me how many buildings and car parks are stuck using fluorescent tubes, incandescent bulbs, or sodium lights. Even some of the early-gen LEDs are now falling behind the curve.
You don’t have to wait until the lights fail to upgrade…. chances are you’ve already passed the tipping point where a retrofit makes sense.
Modern LED lighting systems are streets ahead — smarter, cleaner, more efficient.
They:
✅ Slash energy use
✅ Cut emissions
✅ Reduce maintenance
✅ Improve lighting quality
✅ Enhance working environments including security
✅ Support your ESG story
Even early LED installs are now being replaced with next-gen LEDs and intelligent controls. These systems only use energy when you actually need light. It’s a game-changer.
And if upfront capital is an issue? That’s where Lighting as a Service comes in.
At Vivid Edge we deliver:
- Lighting energy and cost savings
- Maintenance-free lighting for up to 10–15 years
- Emergency lighting and controls included
- No capex required — just a service agreement
Lighting might not be your biggest energy load, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. It’s often one of the easiest wins with fast payback and long-term impact.
Let’s stop lighting the past — and start lighting the future.
Another Bright Tip from Paul – Scroll Smart, Save Smarter
Heat Smarter, Not Harder: Why Heat Pumps Are the Future
Paul Boylan
Heating as a Service
Embrace the Future with Heat Pumps! At Vivid Edge, we’re powering the shift away from fossil fuels with cutting-edge heat pump solutions. As businesses tackle Scope 1 emissions and electrify their heating, heat pumps are leading the charge and for good reason.
Heat pumps are renewable by design, moving heat from natural, endlessly replenished sources like air, water, and the ground. It’s not just smart … it’s the right thing to do. Heat Pumps are not as complicated as you might think
While critics may argue that heat pumps increase reliance on electricity, almost every modern heating system, including gas or oil boilers, depends on electricity for controls and circulation. If there’s a power outage and you don’t have a generator, your fossil fuel boiler can’t distribute heat either.
So, at Vivid Edge we offer Heating as a Service (HaaS), a flexible, low-risk way to upgrade your heating. We also integrate heat pumps into our bundled Energy as a Service (EaaS) that can consider a broader suite of upgrades (e.g. Lighting, HVAC, Compressor, Solar and more!)
Why Heat Pumps?
- Ultra-Efficient – Transfer heat instead of generating it. That means serious energy savings.
- Low-Carbon – Ditch the fossil fuels and cut emissions while running on clean electricity.
- Multifunctional – Can heat (and cool) buildings, provide Domestic hot water… one system, many roles.
- Cost-Smart – Reduce running costs and tap into grants or incentives.
Ready to cut carbon and costs? Contact us ..
Let’s build a cleaner, greener future together.
