NEWS & EVENTS : FORUMS CLIMATLANTIC
Free site visit and Seminar: Bioenergy Cooperatives in Ireland and Experiences from within the EU
04.09.2014
Dunhill Eco Park, Dunhill, Co Watrford
Wednesday 9th April 2014
climatlantic //
The South - East Regional Authority, in conjunction with Waterford Energy Bureau, Waterford County Council and the REScoop 20-20-20 project are hosting a FREE site visit and seminar on Wednesday 9th April at Dunhill Eco Park, County Waterford on Bioenergy Cooperatives in Ireland and Experiences from Within the EU
People who register for the event are asked to meet at Dunh ill Eco Park at 11.15am and proceed from there to visit a ‘Carbon Neutral Farm’ belonging to Eddie Murphy, Dunhill House, Tramore, Co. Waterford located a couple of miles from the Eco Park. Innovative features to be seen at his farm include a 10Kw wind turbine, a 50Kw wood chip boiler, a wood chip supply business, willow energy crops, constructed wetlands and rain water conservation measures.
After the site visit, participants are invited to lunch in Dunhill Eco Park. Registration for the seminar to be held in the Multi Education Centre will commence at 2.00pm. The seminar will be chaired by Brian Connor, Chairman of Waterford Renewable Energy Cooperative and Committee Member of Waterford Forestry Group. The afternoon promises to be informative and enlightening for any wood producers or renewable energy suppliers interested in setting up a Bioenergy Cooperative.
There is an interesting line up of Irish speakers who have extensive knowledge and experience in this area including; Tom Kent, Waterford Institute of Technology who will speak about solid biofuel supply chains from Irish forestry; John Casey, Teagasc will discuss the development of forest owner groups facilitated by Teagasc; Liam Fleming, Waterford Energy Bureau will talk about Waterford renewable energy cooperative and the uses of forestry resources for generation of heat/electricity and Alex Kelly, Irish Wood Producers Limited will outline the steps involved in setting up a wood producers group.
The EU experiences in the sphere of Bioenergy Cooperatives will be showcased by Erik Christiansen, Middelgrunden who will discuss the Danish experience of getting involved in new renewable technology and will present the example of ‘biogasification of wood’. Dirk Vansintjan, Ecopower, Belguim will discuss the use of wood pellets as a 100% green and cooperative heat source. Lynda Mitchell, ALlenergy, Scotland, will give an overview of community and cooperative woodfuel developments in Argyll, Scotland.
There will be plenty of opportunity for questions during the day which is shaping up to be a very worthwhile networking opportunity not to be missed if you have an interest in the area of bioenergy and setting up or being part of an effective cooperative.
Targets for bioenergy deployment in the South - East Region have been set for 2020 and are outlined in the South - East Bioenergy Implementation Plan 2013 - 2020 prepared and launched by the South - East Regional Authority in 2013 (http://www.sera.ie/media/S_EBioenergyPlan2013.pdf). “By developing the bioenergy sector the South - East Region will become more self-sufficient in its energy supply and will create opportunities to support employment creation and regional development as well as providing an alternative source of income for farmers” said Cllr. Jack Crowe, Cathaoirleach of the South - East Regional Authority. “The region will also reduce its reliance on imported finite fossil fuels and will benefit from reduced carbon emissions.” continued Cllr. Crowe.
This event is co-funded by the South - East Regional Authority under the INTERREG IVB CLIMATLANTIC project (www.climatlanticproject.eu), Waterford Energy Bureau, Waterford County Council and REScoop 20-20-20
As this is a FREE event, places are limited.
Please register with:
Sheevaun Thompson, South-East Regional Authority
Sheevaun.thompson@tipperarycoco.ie or 052 – 6126 200
or
Liam Fleming, Waterford Energy Bureau
lfleming@waterfordcoco.ie or 086 – 1742 449
