Ireland’s energy infrastructure challenges – report
February 27th, 2012
Engineers Ireland has today brought out its analysis of Ireland’s energy infrastructure. According to the body, Ireland’s energy infrastructure in Ireland has served the country well up to now, but it is now facing significant challenges, including security of supply, competitiveness and meeting carbon emission targets.
The publication of the report The State of Ireland 2012 – a review of infrastructure in Ireland today, also marked the start of Engineers Week, which is running until next Sunday.
At today’s briefing the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, also said that Ireland needs more engineers.
“Ireland needs to engineer its way to the knowledge-based society that we all agree is our future. We need more engineers. We need them now, and we need them in future. We need schools to make maths and physics interesting and we need young people to choose engineering as a career,” he said.
Energy, transport, water, waste and communications
As for the report, it analysed five key areas of Ireland’s infrastructure: energy, transport, water, waste and communications, using a grading system. Engineers Ireland allocated energy infrastructure a B grade. The B- allocated to communications was an improvement its 2011 appraisal of this sector, according to the report, and was a reflection on the advances made in broadband speeds. The other three areas – transport, water, waste – each got a C grade.
Engineers Ireland said today that Ireland is struggling to meet peak demand in the infrastructural areas of transport, water and waste, which it says all require significant investment and better maintenance.
The assessment from Engineers Ireland also pointed to Ireland’s regional communications infrastructure. It said this infrastructure is improving but it said that overall countrywide deficiencies in this area still “hamper producer and consumer needs”.
Speaking at the launch, John Power, director-general of Engineers Ireland, said the report was the second in a series to promote improvement in the country’s international competitiveness through productive infrastructure.
Capital investment
“The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has stated the core focus of capital investment is the upkeep of existing infrastructure, rather than investment in new projects. Engineers Ireland acknowledges the reality of the need to reduce public expenditure. Nonetheless, capital investment is vital to meet the Government’s desire to stimulate the economy and meet its stated job creation objectives outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs,” said Power.
He also said that “vital skills are being lost to the Irish economy” and the Irish construction industry as a result of the absence of major infrastructural projects.
“This report is intended as our contribution to the debate on building the future of Ireland. It recognises the challenges facing the country and sets out fundamental steps which should be taken to meet those challenges,” he said.
The report also gave a vision for Ireland’s energy infrastructure, looking at the competitive, sustainable supply of energy to meet the needs of Irish society and its economy. As for Ireland’s natural energy resources it also looked at the potential of exporting such renewables.
Transport
As for Ireland’s transport system, Engineers Ireland pointed to how it is a mixed bag at the minute. It said “top-quality signature projects” sit alongside much “poorer infrastructure”.
Water
Looking to water, the report said investment over the last decade had helped to improve water quality, which had been deteriorating. However, it said challenges remain in flood protection and in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Waste sector and energy
Engineers Ireland welcomed the moves Ireland’s waste energy sector has been making, especially around waste management, using waste to generate energy and recycling.
It said that waste industry is “proactively” moving towards an integrated approach to waste management and to a position where waste is considered a resource that can generate energy and employment while retaining an ongoing commitment to recycling.
However, the body said that recycling ambitions and the need to meet EU objectives must be taken into account.
Minister makes pledge on renewable energy
Mr Rabbitte made the commitment as he and his British counterpart Charles Hendry outlined the potential for Anglo-Irish co-operation on renewables in Dublin yesterday. They were both addressing the National Offshore Wind Association annual conference which discussed the need for greater State support to ensure Ireland can be a “green energy exporter”.
Association secretary Brian Britton welcomed as “significant progress” Mr Rabbitte’s pledge to bring the offshore renewable energy feed-in tariff to Government in the next month. The tariff is the primary method of market support for electricity from renewable sources. It requires European Commission approval and is funded through the public service obligation charged to all electricity customers.
It was announced for the offshore sector in 2008, but not implemented, and the lobby has argued that it is “essential” to “jump start” an industry which has the potential to replace €6 billion in imported fossil fuels used for electricity generation.
Mr Rabbitte acknowledged yesterday that the cost of such market supports offshore was far greater than onshore. However, Mr Britton has said that export of wind energy can contribute to Ireland’s economic recovery, and there would be no cost to the consumer before 2016.
Ireland is “fully committed” to achieving its EU and international climate change targets, Mr Rabbitte told the conference.
“Ireland’s deployment of renewable energy sources in electricity has been increasing steadily in recent years,” he said, as authorities North and South aim to deliver 40 per cent of energy consumption from renewables by 2020. He said there had been “good progress” in progressing from 5 per cent renewable electricity in 2005 to around 15 per cent this year.
The Minister said he was satisfied the State could build out the necessary renewable generation capacity to meet domestic requirements. However, he said “we do need to work together to overcome the barriers which include community acceptance of network development and sometimes of wind projects themselves, and to ensure predictable and transparent support frameworks to attract investors”.
A formal intergovernmental agreement between Ireland and Britain on renewable energy trading is being drawn up, which Mr Rabbitte and Mr Hendry discussed yesterday.
Mr Hendry said Eirgrid’s construction of the new east-west interconnector represented a “very tangible step forward” in co-operation between the two islands. “We hope our open and competitive energy market will make it possible for Irish companies to increase their market presence there in the future,” he said.
Britain’s wind resources are most concentrated in Scotland, but it views opportunities in Ireland to meet its target of 15 per cent of all energy from renewables by 2020.
European Commission Irish representation head Barbara Nolan told the conference that a number of EU member states will exceed their renewable targets by 2020, but the commission would take legal action, if necessary, where targets were not met.
Ireland sitting on multi-million euro renewable energy industry
May 19th 2011, “Potential to become the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy” – industry expert
Ireland is sitting on a potential multi-million euro industry in the renewable energy sector, delegates attending a major worldwide convention in Co. Mayo later this month will be told.
Special focus will be placed on enterprise and employment in the renewable energy sector at the eleventh Mayo Associations Worldwide Convention in Westport.
The convention (May 27th-29th) follows the theme of ‘Power by Land and Sea – a Future for our People’, and it will facilitate debate on what appear to be excellent prospects for Mayo, and the country as a whole, in the renewable energy sector.
In addition to the substantial gas reserves off the coast, Mayo is also blessed with some of the finest renewable energy resources in the world, which present opportunities to exploit vast amounts of wind, ocean, and solar energy. According to industry expert James Ryan, “Ireland has the potential to become the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy.”
Speaking at the launch of the convention in Westport, Co. Mayo, tonight (THURSDAY, May 5TH), Seán Reid, chairperson of the organising committee, said: “The convention’s theme has been selected to promote public discourse about an area that has huge potential for Mayo and Ireland, and hopefully some interesting and valuable proposals will emerge.”
Mayo county manager Peter Hynes stated: “Mayo has been chosen as a National Test Site for wave power, which is a great boost for the county, and illustrates that significant developments are still taking place here.”
Industry expert James Ryan said: “There is potential to not just supply for ourselves, but also to export power to the UK and mainland Europe.
“We have the potential to become the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy for Europe. There is also the opportunity to become a major supplier of technologies and expertise which means Ireland can become a significant player in both the renewable energy and marine engineering sectors.”
The convention, which will be officially opened by President Mary McAleese on Saturday, May 28th, will feature workshops on indigenous and multi-national enterprise in Mayo. It will be open to the public.
Over 100 delegates from Mayo Associations all over the world will be in attendance along with guest of honour An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Delegates will travel from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Toronto, London, Manchester, Leeds, Luton, Calderdale (UK), Coventry, Australia, Galway, Dublin, Sligo and Limerick.
The event is being jointly organised by the Mayo Associations in Galway and Dublin. “We are looking forward to welcoming Mayo people from all over the world. This convention has proven very valuable in the past, and we are very hopeful that this year’s convention will play its part in promoting Mayo’s emerging renewable energy industry,” said Donal Downes, who has been involved in all ten previous conventions.
Westport Town Council chairperson Cllr Teresa McGuire will accord the convention a civic reception on Friday, May 27th, in the Town Council offices.
More details on the convention will be revealed over the coming weeks, and updates will also be provided at this link: www.mayoassociationdublin.com/worldconvention.htm.
About the Mayo Worldwide Convention:
This is the eleventh worldwide Mayo Convention
The first one was held in 1990 in Westport, Co. Mayo
Conventions have also been held in Westport, Ballina, Castlebar, Manchester, Toronto, Buenos Aires, Boston, and Philadelphia
FOR MORE DETAILS, contact:
LIAM HORAN/DARREN HUGHES Sli Nua Communications, Tel: +353 94 95 42965
The Irish BioEnergy Association welcomes Minister Pat Rabbitte’s commitment to prioritise Renewable Energy
27th March 2011 – Minister Rabbitte marked his recent speech at the IWEA conference with a fresh approach to energy policy. He acknowledged the problems associated with Nuclear energy and security of oil supply. The Minister recognised that renewable energy can not only provide a secure energy supply for Ireland, it can also create considerable employment and greatly reduce Irelands spend on imported energy.
The Minister has directed his Department to prioritise delivering Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) for renewable electricity. We, the Irish BioEnergy Association hope the Minister and his department will end the unacceptable delays in implementing a support programme – these delays have pushed investment in the sector from our shores to “greener pastures” where feed in tariffs are in place.
We understand the Department has sought state aid approval for a range of REFIT measures to encourage the production of electricity from Irish food waste and crops. Should these be approved then developers of biogas plants (of which there are at least 24 in planning), Biomass heat and power plants and power stations using biomass will be able to secure finance in the coming months.
For further information please contact:
Tom Bruton, IrBEA President
+353 87 9381882
Tom.bruton@bioxl.ie
Noel Gavigan, IrBEA Executive
+353 87 6845977
noelgavigan@irbea.org
Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAI) releases annual review
March 3rd 2011, The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has released its annual review for 2010 of its five year plan.
The review includes the Authority’s work on energy efficiency in homes and businesses, renewable energy projects and studies and research and development projects.
SEAI delivered the upgrade of over 24,000 low-income homes under the Irish government’s Warmer Homes Scheme.
Under the Energy Efficiency Fund, euro 8 million was invested on 61 retrofit projects in the business and public sectors.
SEAI has also funded 20 ocean energy projects to the value of euro 5.5 million and in April announced its plans to develop a national wave energy test-site off the coast of Co. Mayo. The site will allow for the testing and demonstrating of full-scale wave energy systems and technologies.
SEAI chief executive, Professor J Owen Lewis, said: “One year into our ambitious five year strategic plan, we have made significant strides to deliver on our sustainable energy goals.
“We are seeing positive results right across the board as renewable energy continues to grow and energy efficiency improves across all sectors.
“The sustainable energy sector is now well established and is a significant employer. I am confident that further significant progress will be made in 2011.”
The Authority have seen an increased appreciation of energy efficiency in Ireland, as up to 800 individuals call SEAI on a daily basis to enquire about energy efficieny and how best to reduce their energy bills.
Renewable energy usage, it notes is growing between 15% annually on average between 2005 and 2009.
SEAI is financed by Ireland’s EU Structural Funds Programme co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union.
Significant reductions in Ireland’s energy costs
29th November 2010 – Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced the publication of new data that shows significant reductions in Ireland’s electricity and gas prices.
Official data published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, shows that in the year to June 2010:
In Electricity:
Domestic prices fell 12.2% and were equal to the EU average
For medium to large businesses, prices fell by 20% – 35%, compared with the EU average of 4% – the largest drop in the EU
In Gas:
Domestic prices fell by 23% to 5% below EU average
For SMEs, prices were between 11%-18% beneath the EU average
For medium to large businesses, Ireland was amongst the cheapest, with prices at 14% below the EU average
“Ireland now has some of the cheapest energy in the European Union”, said Minister Ryan.
“Government policy to develop open, competitive gas and electricity markets means that prices are now at, or well below the EU average, for all energy customers.
Costs are also lower than those in the UK. This provides a crucial competitive advantage, as we seek to attract further investment and stimulate growth in the Irish economy.
Companies are seeking to establish themselves in countries that have a low cost base and energy prices are therefore crucial. This data shows that Ireland can offer these lower prices.
We are making real progress, but we can go further.
The single best way that we can reduce energy costs in the long-term is to develop our renewable energy resources.
Our wind and our waves will deliver a clean, efficient energy supply for Ireland in the years ahead will provide us with an even greater advantage.”
This data follows a recent EU Commission study that shows that Ireland has the highest rate of consumer switching in electricity in the past two years at 28%. Ireland was also ranked at 2nd in the EU for the proportion of customers who received government support in paying electricity bills, and Irish customers were amongst the most satisfied that their electricity prices were fair and reasonable.
Ireland at forefront on renewable energy
October 4th 2010 – Ireland is playing a lead role in Europe in adding wind power and other renewables to our energy supplies, a new report states. Ireland is on target to achieve it’s target of 40% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and in achieving that target, we will have one of the highest levels of wind power as a percentage of system demand in Europe, according to the EirGrid Annual Renewable Report.
At the end of 2009 there was 1526 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy installed in Ireland. This figure includes wind power (1260 MW), hydro (236 MW) and other small renewable energy sources (30 MW). By July this year, this had increased by a further 200MW of installed wind capacity. The amount of power generated from renewable sources in 2009 was over 14% and sufficient capacity is in place in Ireland to meet the target of 15% this year.
9 MW of wind generation was added to the power system in Northern Ireland during 2009 bringing the total installed capacity there to 301MW. During 2009, 8.7% of demand was supplied from wind generation. As a result, Northern Ireland has already achieved its renewables obligation of 6.3% by 2012/13. It is anticipated that a further 70 MW of wind generation will be connected in Northern Ireland by the end of 2010.
On the 5th of April, 2010 at 06:00am wind generation provided 50% of Ireland’s system demand. Total overall renewable output reached 55% at the same moment – another new system record,
This first EirGrid Group Annual Renewable Report offers an assessment of the progress made in the renewable energy space over the last 12-18 months and sets these developments in a broader international context. The report examines progress in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“Every year, Ireland sends €6 billion of public monies out of the country to pay for imported gas, oil and coal. This figure is unsustainable and must be reduced. The sure-fire, guaranteed way of doing this is by developing and using our own indigenous renewable energy,” says Energy Minister Eamon Ryan TD. “With the best resources in Europe, we can afford to be ambitious in our plans. Our overall national target of 40% renewable electricity will be reached and surpassed to the point of export, when Ireland’s wind and waves can bring money back into this country.”
He adds: “Government’s energy policy has set Ireland on a low-carbon path and key to this will be the improvement of our transmission grid. I commend EirGrid for the work it is doing in this regard and I look forward to seeing more renewables coming on stream in the months and years ahead.”
Biomass could boost renewable power and green jobs
Defence minister, Tony Killeen, launched the Regional Approaches to Stimulation Local Renewable Energy Solutions Project (RASLRES) on behalf of the Western Development Commission (WDC) earlier this week.
RASLRES is a €3m multi-national European bio-energy project funded by the Northern Periphery Programme aiming to build awareness of opportunities for rural communities to produce and supply locally produced biomass (wood, seaweed and energy crops) to towns and cities.
WDC research claims that the west of Ireland could develop sustainable, renewable energy resource delivering 11% of the region’s heat needs by 2020.
However, this would need 470,000 tonnes of wood fuel a year, but would also mean an additional €15 million a annum coming into the economy creating up to 900 jobs in rural areas.
Mr Killeen said: “This exciting project aims to provide business development support to rural biomass communities and will aid development of biomass supply chains through direct business and community engagement.
“The project has the potential to bring nearly €1 million funding to Ireland’s Western Region over its three year lifetime and support over 50 companies.
“While some of the other countries are pursuing various other renewable energy areas under this Programme, the WDC is focusing on the wood energy sector.”
The RASLRES project will address current barriers to market growth including low levels of market confidence, insufficient market information and limited technical and business skills, and actively tackle the issues at regional and local level.
Renewables Accounted for 62% of the New EU Electricity Generation Capacity in 2009
July 6th 2010 – The “Renewable Energy Snapshots” report, published this week by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), shows that renewable energy sources accounted for 62% (17GW) of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU27 in 2009. The share rose from 57% in 2008. For the second year running, wind energy accounted for the largest share of the new capacity: 10.2 GW out of the 27.5 GW built, representing 38% of the total. In absolute terms, renewables produced 19.9% of Europe’s electricity consumption last year.
Summary of 2010 snapshot findings:-
Wind energy: with more than 74 GW of total installed capacity in 2009, it has already exceeded the 2010 white paper target of 40 GW by more than 80%. The European Wind Association’s new target aims for 230 GW of installed capacity (40 GW offshore) by 2020, capable of providing about 20% of Europe’s electricity demand.
Biomass: if current growth continues, electricity output from biomass could double from 2008 to 2010 (from 108 TWh to 200 TWh). However, other energy uses such as heat and transport fuels compete for this particular source, which could potentially hinder the development of bioelectricity. Being storable for use on demand increases its importance as a source of electricity.
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): installed capacity is still relatively small in Europe: 0.430 GW in May 2010, about 0.5% of the total, but is steadily increasing. An estimated 30 GW could be installed by 2020 if the European Solar Industry Initiative ESII is realised. Most CSP projects currently under construction are located in Spain.
Solar Photovoltaic: since 2003, the total installed capacity has doubled each year. In 2009 it reached 16 GW, which represents 2% of the overall capacity. The growth will continue, as for 2010, installations of up to 10 GW are expected. Solar photovoltaic has also exceeded the capacity predictions formulated by in the EU white paper on renewable sources of energy.
Other sources of power: technologies such as geothermal, tidal and wave power are still at the R&D stage, so they have not yet been included in the Renewable Energy Snapshots. Yet, they are likely to be introduced to the market within the next decade. As far as hydro generation is concerned, no major increase is expected, as most of the resources are already in use. However, pumped hydro will play an increasingly important role as in a storage capacity for the other renewable energy resources.
Minister Ryan announces new Government support price for bio-energy
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced the Government’s new support price structure for bio-energy i.e. use of natural materials for the production of electricity.
- New price will allow connection of over 200 MegaWatts of renewable electricity to the national grid
- Businesses can produce their own electricity and sell surplus to the grid
- Price will be a boost to the rural economy
The guaranteed support price (REFIT) will range from 15 cent per kilowatt hour to 8.5 cent an hour depending on the technology deployed.
The technologies supported include Anaerobic Digestion Combined Heat and Power, Biomass Combined Heat and Power and Biomass Combustion, including provision for 30% co-firing of biomass in the three peat powered stations.
Taken together, these new Government tariffs will foster the development of a robust and sustainable biomass supply sector in Ireland. They will drive demand for biomass and support the measures already in place such as the REHEAT programme (Renewable Heat Deployment) and the Energy Crop grant schemes run by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Announcing the measure, Minister Ryan said, “I have always maintained that Irish farmers could be at the forefront of the green economy and the fight against climate change. This new Government support price has the potential to contribute to economic recovery in rural Ireland as well as reducing our overall national dependence on imported fossil fuels. Business will also benefit from the ability to produce their own electricity on-site and sell the surplus to the national grid.
This is a further measure to promote the de-carbonisation of our electricity generation in Ireland. I look forward to working with farmers and the industry to help our rural economy develop.”
The introduction of these tariffs will cement existing jobs in place across a range of industries in Ireland. For businesses with a substantial heat load, biomass CHP offers them the opportunity to produce their own electricity and sell the surplus to the national grid. For businesses faced with costly organic waste management bills, Anaerobic Digestion will allow them to treat their own waste on site with heat that can be used in process as well as being a valuable fertiliser. Businesses can also use Anaerobic Digestion to sell surplus power to the national grid.
“In many ways this is only the start of our work to progress bio-energy in Ireland”, the Minister continued. “The Bio-energy Working Group report is currently being worked on in the Department of Energy and is currently consulting with a range of other Government Departments. This report, which will be published shortly, will make a number of further recommendations on the development of bio-energy. I look forward to the completion of this important report”.
The Tariffs are as follows:
AD CHP ≤500 kW 15c/kWh
AD CHP >500 kW 13c/kWh
AD (non CHP) ≤500kW 11c/kWh
AD (non CHP) >500kW 10c/kWh
Biomass CHP ≤1500kW 14c/kWh
Biomass CHP >1500kW 12c/kWh
Biomass Combustion (including existing plant):
For using energy crops 9.5c/kWh
For all other biomass 8.5c/kWh
(limited to 30% of the maximum rated capacity co-firing in any plant until 2017, 40% between 2017 and 2019, and 50% thereafter)
These tariffs to be indexed and offered on a 15 year basis.
CHP utilising biomethane, displaced from the source of biomethane, will qualify for REFIT on that portion of the fuel mix deriving from bioenergy.
Limits per technology:
Anaerobic Digestion 50MW
Biomass CHP 100MW
Biomass Combustion (including co-firing):
Until 31st December 2015 160MW
From 1st January 2016 Unlimited
