A conference will take place this week to discuss recent policy developments and the advancement of Ireland’s bioenergy sector.
The 23rd National Bioenergy Conference, being held at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin on Thursday (October 10), is the country’s the largest gathering of bioenergy stakeholders.
The event organised by the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) is co-sponsored by Bord na Móna and Gas Networks Ireland (GNI).
Bioenergy conference
Bioenergy is defined as any form of energy that is derived from living organisms, either plant or animal and encompasses a wide range of different types and origins.
It can take the form of solid, liquid or gaseous fuel and can be used to provide renewable energy across a variety of sectors including heating, electricity generation and transport.
According to IrBEA, the bioenergy sectors of solid biomass, liquid biofuels, biogas/biomethane, wood fuels, energy crops and biochar are “uniquely placed” to help Ireland with decarbonisation, emissions reduction and renewable energy transition.
This year’s conference will focus on the need to action and resource existing strategies and the rollout of new policies and supports to advance the development of the sector.
Seán Finan, IrBEA chief executive said that renewable technologies and fuels need to be deployed as part of a broad renewable energy policy in Ireland.
“The conference title is ‘Bioenergy delivering globally Ireland’s opportunity locally.’ The bioenergy sector is growing strongly across the EU and bioenergy remains the largest source of renewable energy at a European and global level.
“In Ireland, we have the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) for biomass and the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation scheme for liquid and gaseous fuels.
“For the biomethane/biogas sector, the recently published Biomethane Strategy is a welcome first step, but further policy intervention is required to drive market certainty and the target set out,” he said.
The conference will be addressed by Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) with responsibility for communications and circular economy, Ossian Smyth.
Redmond McEvoy, the bioenergy policy lead in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) will also discuss implementing the Irish biomethane strategy.
Among the other speakers are representatives from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), IrBEA, Bord na Móna, Gas Networks Ireland, ESB Networks, Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) and the Department of Transport.
“All those involved in this year’s conference are active in the promotion and deployment of solid, liquid or gaseous bioenergy.
“We look forward to welcoming a broad range of delegates to Dún Laoghaire for intensive engagement on many aspects associated with our industry including its potential and opportunity as well as hearing from experts in the sector,” Finan said.
Established in 1999, IrBEA is tasked with promoting and developing the bioenergy industry.
Its membership includes farmers and foresters, fuel suppliers, energy development companies, engineers, tax advisors, research organisations, local authorities, education and advisory bodies.