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Current and future perspectives on the energy sector in Ireland

Current and future perspectives on the energy sector in Ireland. Carly Green Forest Ecosystem Research Group University College Dublin, Ireland. Outline. Current Energy Market Indigenous Energy Resources Future options for peatlands in Ireland Renewable Energy in Ireland

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Current and future perspectives on the energy sector in Ireland

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  1. Current and future perspectives on the energy sector in Ireland Carly Green Forest Ecosystem Research Group University College Dublin, Ireland

  2. Outline • Current Energy Market • Indigenous Energy Resources • Future options for peatlands in Ireland • Renewable Energy in Ireland • Irish and European Policy • Current and Future use of Biomass for Energy

  3. Irish Energy Sector Total energy requirement in 2001 was 14Mtoe Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland, 2002

  4. Indigenous Energy Resources 86% of the total (electricity, heat and transport) energy requirements are imported Renewables 14% Gas 37% Peat 49% Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland, 2002

  5. Areaand Types of Peat

  6. Areaand Types of Peat

  7. How “raised bogs” are formed 7000BC 500BC 1500BC 500AD Source: Irish Peatland Conservation Council www.ipcc.ie 1000BC

  8. Peat Map

  9. Peat for Energy • Hand cut for domestic heating • Small scale mechanical harvesting • 65000 t/yr

  10. Peat Industry • Bord na Mona (Turf Board) est. 1949 • Owns 80,000ha (7%) • 40,000ha under production • 12,000ha in post production • Harvests 4 million tonnes annually for electrcity production

  11. Harrowing Ditching Ridging Harvesting Modern Fuel Supply Pictures courtesy of Bord na Mona

  12. Mounding Loading Tippler Generating Modern Fuel Supply Pictures courtesy of Bord na Mona

  13. Life expectancy of resource • Harvest removes 10cm per year • Estimated 15 – 20 years productive life

  14. Potential after uses of peatlands • Wetlands 42% • Afforestation 22% • Agriculture 30% • Conserved 6% • Renewable Energy Options

  15. Wetlands Picture courtesy of Charlie Shier, Bord na Mona

  16. Wetlands Pictures courtesy of David Wilson, FERG

  17. Afforestation Photos courtesy of Florence Renou, FERG

  18. Carly Green: Successful No demand Deep ploughing mixing technique Agriculture

  19. Renewable Energy Options • 21 turbines with capacity 45MW Co.Mayo • Trials undertaken in 1980s of broadleaf coppice • Naturally regenerated or single stem energy crops

  20. Renewables in Ireland • 2001 contributed 2% to the TER Proportion by sector of Renewable contribution (2001) Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland, 2002

  21. European Policy EU White Paper (1997) • By 2010 Ireland must supply 13.2% of national electricity consumption from renewable sources • Government believes target is achievable • 9-12% contribution by renewables by 2005

  22. Irish Policy Green Paper on Sustainable Energy (Dept of Enterprise 1999) • Alternative Energy Requirement Programme • Target: 500MW increase in electricity generated from renewables (2000 – 2005) • Focus on electricity • Upfront payment options for investors

  23. Irish Policy Alternative Energy Requirement programme

  24. Irish Policy Alternative Energy Requirement programme (AERVI) • Addition of • Biomass (anaerobic digestion and landfill gas) • Biomass CHP plants • Off shore wind

  25. Irish Policy Alternative Energy Requirement programme (AERVI) • Biomass • Landfill gas 8MW • Anaerobic digestion 2MW • CHP 28MW

  26. Climate Change National Climate Change StrategyDepartment of Environment and Local Government, 2000 • Irelands Kyoto Target is 13% above 1990 emissions • Current estimates indicate 37% above 1990 • Promotes renewables and foresees them being responsible for reducing 1MtCO2eqof the 13MtCO2eq required

  27. Policy Outcomes • SEI • Renewable Energy Information Office • Renewable Energy RD&D Programme • COFORD • Funded research • Community awareness on wood energy • EPA and Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources • Research on centralised anerobic digestion and short rotation coppice

  28. Potential Practical Potential of Bioenergy generation in 2000 Source: Irish Electricity Supply Board, 1997

  29. Potential • Potentially 50% of the current total electricity generation capacity could be met by biomass. • Long term renewables can practically provide 25% of total energy requirement

  30. Cost of renewables in Ireland • Competitive price 4.79c/kWh (7.9c/kWh) Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland, 2002

  31. Bioenergy Projects Irish Forest Cover Map • Commercial • CHP plant in Co. Cork • Wood pellet heating project Co. Laois • Trial/Research • Co-firing sawmill residue and MBM at Edenderry Power

  32. CHP Plant Enniskeane Co. Cork • Collaboration between Grainger Saw Mills and SWS, part funded by SEI • €8million wood fired CHP plant • Produces 2MW surplus green energy supplied to the grid

  33. Wood Pellets • Commercial heating with wood pellets Co. Laois Sawmills • Wood pellet stove distributor and pellet importer

  34. Whats Needed • Improved access to grid for smaller projects • Promotion of bioenergy for heating • More demonstration projects • Monitored results, technical information and support • Develop fuel supply systems • Carbon Tax and Carbon Trading by 2004

  35. Thank You carly.green@ucd.ie www.ucd.ie/ferg www.sei.ie

  36. www.ucd.ie/ferg CONTACTS FERG Director Prof. Edward P. Farrell ted.farrell@ucd.ie Peatland Forestry Florence Renou florence.renou@ucd.ie BOGFOR Project Manager Minna Pollanen minna.pollenen@ucd.ie Wetland Ecosystems David Wilson david.g.wilson@ucd.ie Bioenergy and Carbon Accounting Dr Kenneth A. Byrne kbyrne@ucc.ie Carly Green carly.green@ucd.ie Gustavio Saiz gustavio.saiz@ucd.ie

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