North’s RHI closure on 29th February confirmed

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Last week we reported Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) Minister Jonathan Bell had announced the domestic and non domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) schemes in Northern Ireland will close on the 29th February. The NI Assembly duly approved the closure earlier this week, see Notice of Suspension. Responding to the move, John Martin, Chairman of Biomass Energy Northern Ireland (BENI) issued a press release and called for “urgent talks between the NI Government and the heat sector to plan an appropriate way forward”. The Belfast Telegraph reported this. In a further step this week, John Martin wrote to Minister Bell (cc’d to UK Minister for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd and to Patsy McGlone, MLA Chairperson, Committee of Enterprise, Trade and Investment) requesting an urgent meeting  to discuss the implications of the suspension and to consider an appropriate policy framework going forward to 2020 and beyond. See letter.

IEA Bioenergy report on small scale AD

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This report explores the viability of small scale anaerobic digestion for livestock farming where there is a need to deal with animal manure and slurry in a manner that minimises the emission of greenhouse gases. The report is aimed at energy policy and decision makers as well as operators. IEA Bioenergy, also known as the Implementing Agreement for a Programme of Research, Development and Demonstration on Bioenergy, functions within a Framework created by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Download here

The Sustainable Energy RD&D call

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SEAI has announced the first of two calls for proposals for the Sustainable Energy RD&D Programme. With a total fund of €1m, the programme aims to improve the coherence of Irish energy research and development, building a cleaner and more secure energy future, while enhancing the country’s knowledge economy. The deadline for the first call is 1st April. A second call is due to open on 1st May. See guidelines and application form here

Renewable Heat Incentive

North’s RHI to close on 29th February

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Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI)Minister Jonathan Bell has announced the domestic and non domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) schemes in Northern Ireland will close on the 29th February. The move is a severe blow to the renewable heat sector in the North, to jobs, and will also impact negatively on fuel and equipment suppliers into that market from the Republic. The decision comes following a surge in applications in the run up to the recent scheme changes introduced in November 2015. Responding to the move, John Martin, Chairman of Biomass Energy Northern Ireland (BENI), said the association is “extremely disappointed that DETI has not managed the policy and applications in such a way that would provide longer term certainty to investors and developers in the market”. BENI has called for “urgent talks between the NI Government and the heat sector to plan an appropriate way forward”. See DETI press releases one (initial announcement) & two (details of date), and BENI press release in response.

2016 National Bioenergy Conference – View Presentations 03/02/2016

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01 Minister White (delivered by PO Eamonn Confrey)

02 Eamonn McGrath Gaelectric

03 Frank Groome DCENR

04 Cara Augustenborg FoE Ireland

05 Alan Matthews TCD

06 Patricia Thornley Manch Uni

07 Kjell Andersson Svebio

08 Finn Mortensen State of Green DK

09 DMcKee B9 Anaerobic Digestion NI & R.Ireland

 10 David McKee-S.Doherty B9 Energy

Videos of speakers’ presentations – National Bioenergy Conference, 3 Feb 2016

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In response to requests, IrBEA is now providing a click-and-view of the presentations from the National Bioenergy Conference held on 3rd February. Each of the nine speaker presentations are available in full (sound and vision), and this new service for IrBEA members and other interested parties provides more enduring value from our quality speaker line-up. See videos on the IrBEA homepage here and if you would like to see the press releases and presentations (pdf), view here.