ASSOCIATION NEWS
BIOFUELSAREASOLUTION
Ireland Executive will seek to introduce heat pump technology for new build and homes that are thermally efficient. Biogas could play a role in the gas network and we believe they will be open to alternative solutions for off grid homes that are less thermally efficient. A separate solution for on grid and off grid would give the Assembly options and a fuel mix that brings its own security of supply benefits. The reality is that post Covid-19 both governments in Ireland will be focusing on the economy, rebuilding businesses and getting new jobs on the ground. The Republic is under more pressure than NI in terms of carbon reductions as the new coalition has embraced the 7% annual reduction target and could be subject to the ‘New Green Deal’ which is aiming for a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). Cracks are starting to appear in the Republic’s energy strategy. In May, Robert Watt, from the
Department of Public Expenditure raised serious concerns about the plan’s credibility, saying, “One major element of the plan to retrofit 500,000 homes to a high energy standard and install 600,000 heat pumps instead of oil and gas boilers was simply not affordable”.
the largest reductions (87-96%) in emissions compared to kerosene. When the overall costs are considered the research revealed that, of the options compared, a 100% liquid biofuel (B100) reduced carbon at the lowest annualised overall cost (£122 per tonne compared to £321 for air source heat pumps and £411 for ground source). That is a fact and something we will be putting to both governments over the summer months to offer them a simple but effective solution to reducing emissions in the off grid sector. Our proposals will prove far less costly and less disruptive for the consumer and don’t require millions in capital up front spend – a win, win in our book! *www.superhomes.ie. The average cost of a full scale deep retrofit to BER A3 standard in 2019 was €60,000 before grants.
SOWHAT IS THE ANSWER?
OFTEC firmly believes that biofuels are a solution and will play a major role in the heating requirements for off grid homes in both NI and the Republic. We have proven that B30K (FAME) works and trials of a 100% liquid fuel made from waste are commencing. Biofuels offer serious reductions in carbon emissions and research to date has shown that biogenic options from waste steams offer
“Biofuels offer serious reductions in carbon emissions… research to date has shown that biogenic options offer the largest reductions (87-96%) in emissions compared to kerosene.”
David Blevings, OFTEC Ireland Manager on T: +44 (0)28 9186 2916 Sean McBride, Ireland Representative on T: +44 (0)7540 502 304 (NI) or +353 (0)87 241 7041 (RoI) www.oftec.org
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