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 Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland, 2002 Renewables 14% Gas 37% Peat 49%

5. Area and Types of Peat Area (ha) % of Total Land Area Total Peatland Area 1,177,00018% Raised Bogs306,0004.7% Blanket Bog776,80012% Fen94,0001.5%

6. Area and Types of Peat Area (ha) % of Total Land Area Total Peatland Area 1,177,00018% Raised Bog306,0004.7% Blanket Bog776,80012% Fen94,0001.5%

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

8. Peat Map

9. Peat for Energy Small scale mechanical harvesting Hand cut for domestic heating 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. Modern Fuel Supply Ditching Harrowing Ridging Harvesting Pictures courtesy of Bord na Mona

12. Modern Fuel Supply Tippler MoundingLoading Generating 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. Agriculture Carly Green: Successful No demand Deep ploughing mixing technique Carly Green: Successful No demand Deep ploughing mixing technique

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 Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland, 2002 Proportion by sector of Renewable contribution (2001)

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 Irelands Kyoto Target is 13% above 1990 emissions –Current estimates indicate 37% above 1990 Promotes renewables and foresees them being responsible for reducing 1MtCO 2 eq of the 13MtCO 2 eq required National Climate Change Strategy Department of Environment and Local Government, 2000

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 ResourcePractical Potential in 2000 (MW) Short rotation forestry2119 Wood Industry Residues159 Forestry Residues43 Agricultural Solid Waste38 Landfill gas18 Agricultural waste biogas7 Sewerage sludge biogas1 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) ResourcePrice (c/kWh) Biomass7 (11.6) Hydro7 (11.6) Landfill Gas6.4 (10.6) Wind5.5 (9.1) Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland, 2002

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

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. 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 Whats Needed

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

36. FERG Director Prof. Edward P. Farrellted.farrell@ucd.ie Peatland Forestry Florence Renouflorence.renou@ucd.ie BOGFOR Project Manager Minna Pollanenminna.pollenen@ucd.ie Wetland Ecosystems David Wilsondavid.g.wilson@ucd.ie Bioenergy and Carbon Accounting Dr Kenneth A. Byrnekbyrne@ucc.ie Carly Greencarly.green@ucd.ie Gustavio Saizgustavio.saiz@ucd.ie CONTACTS www.ucd.ie/ferg