2020 IrBEA National Bioenergy Conference – View Presentations 26/02/20

01 Tom Egan – Powergen

02 Noel Gavigan – IrBEA Executive

03 John MacNamara – Bord na Mona

04 James Cogan – Ethanol Europe

05 Brian Ó Gallachóir – MaREI Centre

06 John Bingham – Hawkins Wright

07 Ray Langton – Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

08 Eugene Hendrick – Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme

09 Tom Marren – Turboden SpA

10 Garrett Monaghan – Pinsent Masons

11 Ken McCauley – McCauley Wood Fuels

 

2019 National Bioenergy Conference – View Presentations 13/02/19

01 Ray Langton – Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland

02 Des O’Toole – Coillte

03 Maurice Ryan Green Belt

04 Edwina Curry – Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine

05 Tom Sheehy – Clearpower

06 Geraldine O’Sullivan – Irish Farmers Association

07 James Russell – Biocore

08 Chris Wheeler – DWF Legal

09 Denis Neary – SEAI

10 Jerry Murphy – MaREI Centre

11 James Cogan – Ethanol Europe

12 Peter Moran – Abbvie

13 Jason Sutton – CPL Industries

Webinar 2: District Heating Decarbonising our Heat Demands

On Wednesday June 24th, IrBEA hosted a second webinar as part of the recently commenced IrBEA Bioenergy Webinar Series 2020. The webinar included informative presentations from John O’Shea who is responsible for energy systems analysis at Codema (Dublin Energy Agency). The webinar outlined the potential for district heating in Ireland alongside an examination of potential heat sources. John updated us on the Dublin District Heating System (DDHS) which is now at Phase 2 and Dublin City Council have initiated  procuring a Consultant to examine the strategies for managing and administering the project. The District Heating (DH) network will cover the Docklands and Poolbeg areas which will recover and distribute the waste heat from plants located primarily on the Poolbeg peninsula.

Steve Richmond from REHAU UK also presented, this company are experts in District Heating and Polymer pipe solution technology. He shared valuable technological expertise and financial modelling as well as commentaries on District Heating installation in the UK. REHAU employ over 20,000 people worldwide and are one of the UK market leaders in polymer district heating pipework.

If you would like to see the webinar view here

If you would like to see the webinar presentation slides view here

 

Webinar 1: Using the right fuel, the right way, in the right appliance

Noel Gavigan and Eugene Hendrick had an information packed one hour presentation on domestic and commercial renewable heating. They discussed the differences between wood pellet and woodchip boilers and stoves. This was followed by discussing the choice of appliances and the need to move toward efficient low carbon options such as eco-design stoves. Wood fuel was discussed in detail and the need for the fuel to be certified through the WFQA Scheme which insures below 20% moisture content which both increases efficiency of heating but also minimises emissions to air for the consumer. Finally there was a discussion on industrial use for wood fuel. It was emphasised that wood chip and wood pellets offer the only viable solution for renewable supply of heat or steam. It is has in fact got the lowest carbon footprint for heat of all the fuel options and we now have the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat available for commercial projects which gives grants for a 15 year period.

If you would like to see the webinar please view here

If you would like to view the presentation slides please view here

 

PRESS RELEASE: The Irish Bioenergy opportunity is immense – New IrBEA President Paddy Phelan


This week the new President and Vice President of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) were elected by the Management Executive Committee of the organisation. Paddy Phelan, CEO of 3 County Energy Agency was elected the new President and  Maurice Ryan, Director and Business Development at Green Belt was elected the new Vice President. They both take up their roles at a time of great opportunity for the organisation and the Irish Bioenergy sector as the economy begins to reopens again following Covid 19.

Accepting the new role, IrBEA President Paddy Phelan said “I am delighted to take on the role of IrBEA President. I look forward to working with members and all stakeholders for the betterment and advancement of the sector. The Irish Bioenergy opportunity is immense. This opportunity has yet to be recognised at a political or policy level with adequate action and support measures which are necessary for the widespread deployment of bioenergy. Sustainably produced bioenergy will play a key role in Irelands transition from a fossil-fuel based economy to a low carbon economy. The bioenergy sectors covering biomass, biogas, biofuels, energy crops and wood fuels, are a key part of the overall bioeconomy and have a significant part to play in its growth and development. As well as contributing towards Ireland’s renewable energy targets, the sector can be the catalyst to drive jobs and economic growth in rural Ireland while assisting to address the climate change and emissions reduction challenges we face as a country and people”.

Paddy Phelan continued “I’m committed to working with the IrBEA membership and broader stakeholders to promote the deployment of bioenergy produced in locally energy supply networks. In IrBEA, we continue to lobby and advocate for supports to ensure that bioenergy contributes as part of a mix of renewable energy technologies. Our objective should be to provide 100% of our energy demand by 2050 from renewable sources. Promoting local energy supply is very important. Rural Ireland can provide energy to nearby urban centres which need renewable and dispatchable bioenergy to support industry and particularly the Agri food-industry. This is all linked back to the broader rural Agri sector. The capacity for agricultural diversification and for agriculture to be a net contributor to carbon sequestration through bioenergy production is immense. Bioenergy is a mature industry across Europe and alongside other renewable energy technologies makes up the majority of energy production in many regions. This means that the region retains the value of that energy. When consumers buy that energy they are buying local”

Maurice Ryan, IrBEA Vice President said  “I am delighted to have been elected to the role of Vice President of IrBEA. IrBEA has proved to be an invaluable organisation for the bioenergy sector and a great support to promote the mobilisation of timber from the private sector. I look forward to promoting the broad value bioenergy brings to the country, and the future opportunities that will present over the next number of years. The team is extremely strong and positive and will certainly deliver value to all members and stakeholders.”

The organisation would like to acknowledge the work of Des O’Toole who has concluded a 3 year term as IrBEA President.

Paddy Phelan concluded “I would like to acknowledge the work of my predecessor Des O’Toole and thank him for his efforts and commitment to the development of the organisation and sector during his time in the role. Everyone in IrBEA wishes Des the best of luck in his career.”

Video of Paddy Phelan speaking HERE

Ends

For Further information please contact: Seán Finan IrBEA CEO at 0874146480