Sustainable Energy Updates from Budget 2017 including observations on RHI development

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As you know we have had the budget this week and statements from different government departments have been released, including Denis Naughten Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE). Everyone is attempting to make sense of what has been promised in terms of investment into Sustainable energy. Tom Bruton blogs on the background to the budget announcements of relevance to sustainable energy here, he is a principal consultant with BioXL, a specialist energy consultancy in Ireland. He has wide expertise in sustainable energy technology and policy, he was also President of IrBEA.

Study on Biomass Combustion Emissions – Draft Consultation 11- 25 October 2016

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The Irish BioEnergy Association with the assistance of SEAI is pleased to issue the document: Study on Biomass Conbustion Emissions – Draft Consultation, the report has been completed by Fehilly Timoney Consultants. Throughout the previous four years Irish businesses have been calling for the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to support the development of biomass heating in Ireland. The introduction of such a measure would assist Ireland in meeting its 2020 Renewable Energy Targets, reduce Irelands dependence on imported fossil fuels and reduce Irelands greenhouse gas emissions. However the question has been raised – Will the combustion of biomass result in other emissions to atmosphere that may be harmful to the environment or human health? This brief report seeks to open this question and to inform the reader as to the main aspects of the question. The report seeks to inform the reader about biomass combustion and the techniques used to mitigate and control emissions.

The Irish BioEnergy Association invites stakeholders, policy makers and members of the public to examine this report and share their views on the topic.

Responses received may contribute directly to the report or may form the basis of future studies into the matter at hand. Open for public consultation from 11th October 2016 to 25th October 2016

All responses to be issued via email to emissions@irbea.org

Responses to be received by 5pm on the 25th October 2016

 

BENI host Brash processing demonstration at Shanes Castle Estate – 17/06/2016

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Biomass Energy Northern Ireland (BENI) held a brash chipping demonstration recently at Shanes Castle Estate, Co. Antrim. The event was organised by one of its members from the local area, Glendale Tree services, Randalstown. The event was held for anyone actively involved or interested in the biomass sector, showcasing a very informative day and a great networking opportunity for those involved within the sector. Read more

Ireland generates 25% of its energy from renewables – SEAI reports

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A quarter of all electricity used in Ireland was generated from renewable energy sources last year. That helped avoid three million tonnes of fossil-fuel related CO2 emissions, according to latest figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It was the second largest source of electricity in 2015 behind gas and ahead of coal. More than 80% of green power came from wind turbines while the rest came from a range of technologies including hydropower, biomass, waste and landfill gas. Dr Eimear Cotter, SEAI Head of Low Carbon Technologies said: “Ireland is making significant progress in decarbonising our electricity system. “We know that renewables in electricity generation helps to lower CO2 emissions but we still have an electricity system that is heavily reliant on carbon emitting fossil fuels. With 2020 renewable electricity targets approaching, we need to intensify action to increase the contribution of all renewables in our electricity mix.” View SEAI media release

AEBIOM interviews Irish Partners

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Des O’Toole, Business Development Manager for Coillte and IrBEA committee member was interviewed by the European Biomass Association, read what he would like to see happening in Ireland in terms of bioenergy development. here

Renewable Heat Incentive

IrBEA Renewable Heat Incentive in Ireland Report

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The Irish BioEnergy Association’s analysis and proposal for a renewable heat incentive (RHI) was made available in September 2015, an electronic version can be viewed here. The report (and recommendations) has incorporated a strong element of industry consultation and represents a coherent and robust appraisal with industry support. A draft of this final report was distributed to all IrBEA members for consultation in June 2015. A workshop was held in May 2015 where the findings were outlined to 50 IrBEA member organisations and individuals. Separate workshops were held with the IrBEA management committee and the IrBEA Renewable Heat Group. A series of meetings were convened also to engage directly with IrBEA stakeholders.

The report is a response to the ongoing RHI consultation process established by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) following publication of its draft Bioenergy Plan.

IrBEA ‘Financing Bioenergy Projects’ Workshop – Valuable knowledge sharing

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50 people attended the IRBEA ‘Financing Bioenergy Projects’ Workshop at Luttrellstown Golf Club in Castleknock. Attendees would of learnt some valuable lessons from the talks, speakers discussed their experiences financing projects, from large biomass power plants (Peter Dickson) to the medium size projects including AD and CHP technology (George Delaney). Garrett Monaghan’s contribution was important as he highlighted the issue of having a detailed proposal and well informed advisors. Paddy Phelan offered valuable insight into the funding implications for community based projects, including the importance of involving the community in planning larger scale projects. This event was the first of it’s kind for IrBEA focusing on finance and from the feedback we have received we will hope to be running a similar event in 2017.

Presentations can be viewed here:

Peter Dickson from Glennmont Partners

Peter Dickson – Glennmont Partners

George Delaney Bridge & York Partners

George Delaney – Bridge & York Partners

Hope all those who managed to take part in the Golf ProAM event in the afternoon enjoyed the competition and superb weather.

 

New IrBEA members – June 2016

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We would like to welcome several new IrBEA members this month they include Biolectric Ireland in Dublin, CHP Mechanical in Co Down, both companies have taken up medium corporate membership. We would also like to welcome Derry Cronin from Fergus, Cork and Dragon Heat Ltd from Castledermot, Kildare who have joined as indivdual members. We look forward to their involvement and meeting up soon at forthcoming IrBEA events.