Wood Fuel Association Conference UK – IRBEA CEO Presents on RHI

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Ger Devlin was presenting at the Wood Heat Association Conference in the UK on the 21 & 22 November in Dorking. He will be talking about the Irish RHI schemes and the industry’s expectations going forward.

WHA are the UK trade association for the modern biomass heating industry. They bring together wood fuel suppliers, biomass boiler and stove installers and distributors, energy companies and developers.  See the agenda lineup here

Renewable Electricity Support Scheme – Design Consultation is Seeking Submissions

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The Public consultation on the development and design of a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) for Ireland has been launched. This consultation is seeking submissions to specific questions relating to the design principles and structure of the new RESS, including models and pathways to deliver increased community and citizen participation in renewable electricity projects. Feedback is sought on the emerging design options of the new scheme. Link to consultation details here. It is expected that this consultation will remain open for a period of 9 weeks until 3rd November.

Public Consultation on Development of a National Policy for the Bioeconomy

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Submissions are invited on developing Ireland’s Bioeconomy, relevant submissions to the Bioeconomy Discussion Document will input into the drafting of a National Policy Statement on the bioeconomy. This will cut across a number of sectors and Departments, and the objective of the policy statement is to ensure greater policy coherence and assign responsibility to Departments for specific elements of the bioeconomy. The Bioeconomy Discussion document can be viewed here.  Written submissions should be sent to the Department of the Taoiseach before 15th September 2017 Email: bioeconomy@taoiseach.gov.ie
Background:

  1. The EU & the Bioeconomy
  2. Ireland & the bioeconomy
    • BioEire – Next Steps for the Irish bioeconomy: supply, demand, business and research consideration

Consultation on Medium Combustion Plant Directive

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The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) is seeking views on transposition of the Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) Directive. Medium combustion plants are used for a variety of purposes including electricity generation, providing heat for industrial processes, and commercial heating and cooling systems. They are plants which range in thermal input size from 1 megawatt (MWth) to 50 MWth.
Under the Directive, most medium sized combustion plants will only be allowed to operate when registered or permitted, and when complying with emission limit values for SO2, NOx and dust. More information can be found here  Contact: mcp@dccae.gov.ie, submissions in by close of business on Friday 29 September 2017.

Report from Energy in Agriculture Event – Highlighting Sustainable Energy Opportunities

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A lot of IrBEA members attended the Energy in Agriculture event in Tipperary last week. IrBEA had a stand which focused on promoting the forthcoming National Bioenergy Conference – Bioenergy Future Ireland 2018, together with our conference partners Box Media we talked to a lot of attendees and exhibitors who expressed a keen interest in participating at IrBEA conference, indeed many signed up.  IrBEA also had a stand promoting  the Wood Fuel Quality and Assurance scheme. The WFQA was one of the positive elements discussed in Frank Groome’s (DCCAE) talk on the mechanics of the RHI, he discussed the inclusion of fuel quality standards and sustainability criteria. Results of the consultation showed 82% in favour of the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme. IrBEA administers the WFQA which is an industry quality standard (EN 17225) used by members to deliver sustainable quality biomass and firewood to energy markets. The WFQA is also supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Check out the WFQA website for more details www.wfqa.org

Speaking at the event Minister Naughten said that there are huge opportunities out there in the energy sector for farmers and landowners. He said that proposals for a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme will be brought to government in September. He said he was determined to make sure the RHI benefits local farmers. The Minister expects to be making a series of announcements between now and the National Ploughing Championships. Further press reviews of the day can been seen at Agriland and Teagasc