Energy Efficiency

National Energy Efficiency Action Plan

The purpose of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2009 – 2020 is to identify measures and policies that can contribute to a reduction of 20% in energy demand across the Irish economy by 2020. The Irish Government has committed itself to this goal to be achieved through energy efficiency measures. In particular, the Government is aiming for 33% reduction in public sector energy use by 2020. This plan of action ties in well with the National Climate Change Strategy 2007 – 2012. This is also in line with the findings of the International Energy Agency, who recognise that while some GHG emission reductions can be achieved through technological progress, the majority of emissions savings will be achieved through better energy efficiency and deployment of existing renewable energy resources. The action plan targets the public, business, transport, residential, energy supply and research and development sectors. The full report can be accessed here: www.dcenr.gov.ie

EU Energy Services Directive - Transposition in to Irish law

Regulations to transpose the EU Energy Services Directive into Irish law will be made by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in early 2009. The Directive places obligations on Member States in relation to energy efficiency and the activities of energy service providers.

The Renewable Heat (ReHeat) Deployment Programme

The Renewable Heat (ReHeat) Deployment Programme provides assistance for the deployment of renewable heating systems in industrial, commercial, public and community premises in Ireland. The programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and is an expansion of the previous Bioheat Boiler Deployment Programme which supported woodchip or pellet boilers only. 

The SEAI Combined Heat and Power ( CHP ) Deployment Programme

The SEAI CHP Deployment Programme will provide grant support to assist the deployment of small-scale (<1MWe) fossil fired CHP and biomass (anaerobic digestion and wood residue) CHP systems. At present the Programme includes feasibility studies, to assist investigation into the application of CHP across all size ranges and technologies and investment grant support for small-scale fossil fired CHP with a capacity ≥ 50kWe and < 1MWe.

ESB

The ESB is to spend €22 billion on energy infrastructure and aims to become a world leader in renewable energy. Amongst the commitments ESB have made in relation to this target is to generate one third of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. To read some highlights of ESB’s Sustainability Report 2009.

The Ocean Energy Development Unit

The Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) has been established to implement the Government’s policy decision to accelerate the development of Ocean Energy (Wave and Tidal) in Ireland. This has, as objectives:

• Targets for the connection of 75Mw of ocean energy by 2012 and 500Mw by 2020 (Programme for Government and White Paper)
• The creation, in Ireland, of a centre of excellence in Ocean Energy technology and the stimulation of a world-class industry cluster.

Renewable Energy Production in Ireland

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has set new power tariffs to promote renewable energy production in Ireland .

National Renewable Energy Action Plan

In   2007 the EU committed itself to new climate change and energy targets by 2020:

·          20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

·          20% of the EU’s energy consumption to be from renewable sources

·          20% energy efficiency

The National Renewable Energy Action Plan is Ireland’s response to that commitment. The plan targets three sectors of the energy infrastructure in Ireland ; transport, electricity and heating and sets targets for the share of energy from renewable sources to be consumed by these sectors in 2020. If implemented, the action plan will not only reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions but will go some way towards improving our energy security by reducing Ireland’s reliance on imported fuel sources.  

Transport: At present, imported oil fuels Ireland ’s transport sector. The Government has introduced the National Biofuel Obligation Scheme 2010. This scheme obliges road transport fuel suppliers to use a certain percentage of biofuel in oil and diesel so that their yearly sales of biofuel equal 4% of total sales of fuel. This amount will be increased over time.

The Government has also set a target of 10% electric vehicles by 2020. It is working with a number of motor manufacturers and with the ESB to develop and support electric car usage in Ireland. ESB Ecar is responsible for rolling out charge points nationwide and for the implementation of the supporting IT systems.  

In March 2010, Ireland’s first on-street charge point was installed in Dublin. The ESB’s goals for 2011 include:

·          installation of 2000 home charge points

·          availability of 1500 public charge posts across Ireland

Electricity: The Government’s target is 40% electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020. In 2009 14.4% of electricity generation was from renewable sources. This growth is largely due to onshore wind generation. The Government is also looking to develop an extensive micro-generation network in Ireland. This will enable householders to generate electricity domestically from renewable sources (e.g., photovoltaic cells, ground pumps, and wood chip boilers) and to sell any excess to the national grid.  

Heat: The Government target for renewable heat by 2020 is 12%. A framework for achieving this target is currently being developed with a focus on biomass and geothermal heating.

Energy Labelling

Energy labelling on electrical appliances is now in place.

Renewable Energy for industrial businesses and agriculture sectors

Regulations were published in July 2008 aimed at encouraging the uptake of cleaner and cheaper energy from renewable sources in the industrial business and agricultural sectors by providing exemptions facilities a greater penetration of renewable technologies in these sectors.

Biomass heating in schools

A programme of installing biomass heating in schools and implementation of a generic energy minimisation school design was commenced.