Clarification Notice – applications under the REFIT Schemes.

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While the closing date for REFIT schemes remains as 4pm on 31 December 2015, in response to a number of queries regarding the status of REFIT applications but which do not include a copy of full planning permission and/or a grid connection offer or agreement, DCENR has issued a clarification. See details.

Keen interest at workshop on small scale AD – Presentations available

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Interest is very keen in Ireland about green energy possibilities from anaerobic digestion for farmers and food processors. This was a clear conclusion from the joint IrBEA-Origin Green (Bord Bia) workshop held in Kilkenny on 21 May which was especially targeted at larger farmers and small food manufacturers with high energy demand and producing sizeable amounts of animal and food waste. Read more →

Report on IrBEA Biogas tour to the UK

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Sixteen people travelled from Ireland on the UK study tour at the end of June organised by IrBEA, including dairy farmers, contractors, food processors, biogas plant builders and others. Day two of the tour was at the UK ADBA (Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association) Trade Show, the big annual flagship event in the UK for biogas. Read more →

Press Release – IrBEA Response To Energy White Paper Launch

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The Irish Bioenergy Association welcomes the publication of the Energy White Paper by Minister Alex White

As a strategy it is an ambitious plan to achieve important targets for renewable energy.
The weakness in the plan is the ability to convert this ambition into action. For example, a renewable heat incentive was promised since May 2014, and at the earliest this will commence at end of 2016. This long roll-out has resulted in market stagnation.
The report accurately points out that Bioenergy has the potential to create 5000 jobs as well as reducing our carbon emissions, however these benefits can not be fully realised unless the proposed policy measures are promptly implemented.
The transition to sustainable energy sources is a massive undertaking. We are calling on the Minister to follow today’s launch by:

1. Bolstering his department with the necessary resources to undertake this challenge.
2. Fastracking proposed support schemes for renewable heat and electricity.
For further information contact
Michael Hegarty 087-0556630
IrBEA General Manager

Weekly Noticeboard 12/12/15

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1. Clarification Notice – applications under the REFIT Schemes.
While the closing date for REFIT schemes remains as 4pm on 31 December 2015, in response to a number of queries regarding the status of REFIT applications but which do not include a copy of full planning permission and/or a grid connection offer or agreement, DCENR has issued a clarification. See details. Read more →

Weekly Noticeboard 05/12/15

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1. Summary notes of Bioenergy Plan Stakeholder Meeting with DCENR 24 Nov 2015.
About 40 industry stakeholders, including many IrBEA members, attended a stakeholder consultation session on the drafting of the Bioenergy Plan. The meeting was chaired by Brian Carroll, Principal Officer, DCENR. Joining him at the top table were Cathy O’Connor (DCENR), Frank Groome (DCENR/Eirgrid) and Eugene Hendrick (DAFM). Read more →

Weekly Noticeboard 30/11/15

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1. Complimentary Tickets to the Irish National Sustainability Summit – 3 Nov.

IrBEA members are offered complimentary delegate passes to the National Sustainability Summit on the 3rd November in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. You simply need to register online for a delegate badge. In essence The National Sustainability Summit consists of 9 events in one, bringing together over 2000 key stakeholders and over 75 speakers from sectors such as construction/building, manufacturing, food & agriculture, healthcare, IT, transport, renewable energy, tourism, finance, water, environment, retail, hospitality, logistics, supply chain etc. that have been instrumental in creating a more sustainable Ireland.
Read more →

Weekly Noticeboard 28/11/15

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1. DoE request for input on revisions to EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

In July 2015, the European Commission introduced a legislative proposal to revise the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for the period after the year 2020. The proposal forms part of the process of delivering on the EU’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by the year 2030, in accordance with the EU’s 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework. Ireland actively participates in the EU ETS.  In order to inform national policy in respect of ongoing EU deliberations on the proposal, the views of interested parties in Ireland are being sought on the proposal itself. With support from Tom Bruton of BioXL, IrBEA has drafted a short response, viewable here. IrBEA members wishing to comment on the draft should provide feedback to tom.bruton@bioxl.ie by COB next Tuesday 1 December. The submission closing date is 2nd December. Read more →

Weekly Noticeboard 21/11/15

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1. Grid connections becoming tighter.

There is an unprecedented level of interest in solar photovoltaic projects, and a high volume of connection applications to ESB Networks at present. This is creating serious constraints for other renewable generators who may experience long delays and high costs if they come after other applicants in the same area. IrBEA has been represented since 2013 on the CER’s generator connections group by Tom Bruton of BioXL, and at a meeting yesterday (20 Nov) he gave the following feedback to the CER and members of the group:

Read more →

Joint Cré-IrBEA submission on AD for RHI consultation

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This submission for DCENR’s RHI technology review consultation, jointly developed by Cré and IrBEA, is focused on anaerobic digestion. The paper includes a short introductory section on AD – the policy changes required, benefits, and supporting documentation – followed by responses to the 40 specific questions in the consultation. The submitted document can be downloaded here