Promoting Renewable Energy in Ireland. L. Staudt Centre for Renewable Energy at Dundalk Institute of Technology

Transcription

1 Promoting Renewable Energy in Ireland L. Staudt Centre for Renewable Energy at Dundalk Institute of Technology

2 Promoting Renewable Energy A Vision for Renewable Energy The Dundalk Wind Turbine The Dundalk 2020 project

3 A Vision for Renewable Energy The Fossil Fuel Era (fossil fuel consumption vs. time)

4 source: Economist magazine

5 A Vision for Renewable Energy Coal? Large coal reserves worldwide good from a supply security point of view, but ultimately not sustainable Coal is greenhouse gas intensive, and largescale sequestering of CO 2 is still in the concept stage Conclude: coal can only aid the transition toward energy sustainability in Ireland, along with oil and gas

6 A Vision for Renewable Energy Nuclear? Concerns about cost, grid integration, waste disposal, security, construction time, required Irish infrastructure, socially unacceptability The European Nuclear Society (euronuclear.org) states that all 439 world-wide operated nuclear power plants can be supplied for several decades with world uranium reserves, i.e. nuclear development is fuel supply limited just like fossil fuels Conclude: nuclear fission will not aid the transition toward energy sustainability in Ireland

7 A Vision for Renewable Energy Renewable energy? Concerns about resource magnitude, grid integration, cost Excellent sustainable indigenous resource, and virtually no greenhouse gas emissions (see next slide) Solves CO 2 emissions and supply security problems associated with fossil fuels Conclude: renewable energy presents the only known possibility for energy sustainability in Ireland, though there are challenges

8 A Vision for Renewable Energy resource practicable annual energy comments wind 2164 TWh e /y primarily onshore water 240 TWh e /y wave, tidal and hydro bioenergy 367 TWh th /y primarily wood the rest 2 TWh e /y PV 45 TWh th /y solar, waste Conclude: Ireland s primary energy resources will be wind, water and wood, and with these we can meet our energy demand* (185TWh/y in ROI) Sources: ESBI/ETSU, Total Renewable Energy Resource in Ireland, 1997 ESBI, Accessible Wave Energy Resource Atlas : Ireland : 2005 KMM, Marine Current Resource Study for Ireland, 2004 KMM, Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Resources, 2003 ESBI, Updating the Renewable Energy Resource in Ireland, 2004

9 A Vision for Renewable Energy Fossil fuel prices are volatile and increasing We are one of the world s highest contributors to global warming on a per capita basis ROI presently imports 90% of its energy Ireland has a massive indigenous RE resource, that is available at reasonable cost There is presently no other commercial technology that can ultimately replace fossil fuels Conclude: Based on present knowledge, our energy future will be based on renewable energy

10 A Vision for Renewable Energy We will use everything available, but wind, wave and wood will be our primary energy sources (with massive energy conservation!) For electricity: wind and wave For heat: bioenergy (wood) and heat pumps For transport: electric vehicles, with some biofuels

11 A Vision for Renewable Energy We need urgent actions, such as: Large-scale energy conservation Large-scale development of onshore and offshore wind energy Large-scale development of bioenergy Large-scale development of wave and tidal energy Interconnection with Britain and Europe

12 A Vision for Renewable Energy More actions: Inclusion of aeroderivative gas turbines in the generation mix Development of the grid to allow substantial generation in the west of the country Large-scale demand-side management Development of electricity storage facilities

13 The Dundalk Wind Turbine

14 The Dundalk Wind Turbine A Vestas V52-850kW wind turbine on a 60m tower was erected in August 2005 It is a Dundalk icon, around which we have been able to promote our green credentials and aspirations Suitable for e.g. sewage and water treatment plants

15 17 May

16 The Dundalk Wind Turbine Rated power of 850kW, average power output of about 200 kilowatts Total cost: 993,000 plus VAT Our simulations show that the turbine will pay for itself in about 7 years (without grant) This is comparable to projects at windier sites, because we are offsetting electricity purchase at the retail rate (vs. selling at a bulk rate)

17 The Dundalk Wind Turbine DkIT Electrical Compound Power to various college buildings Circuit breakers metering Power to and from ESB grid

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19 August 24

20 The Dundalk Wind Turbine Feasibility studies late 2002 Planning application March 2003 Planning permission granted June 2003 Bids sought and contract awarded 2004 Turbine installation August 2005 Turbine operation October 2005 Total cost: 1.127m, including 13.5%VAT

21 The Dundalk Wind Turbine The turbine has been performing with high availability since commissioning in late October 2005 We are unaware of any problems with noise, voltage flicker, TV interference, birds, etc. Public response has been positive Highly recommended as an iconic project around which to promote renewable energy in your town

22 Dundalk 2020 Goal: stimulate a paradigm shift in the use of energy within communities to more sustainable patterns It will showcase of some of the innovative technologies, policies and practices that will be needed in order to develop sustainable energy communities in Ireland The innovation is the integration

23 Dundalk 2020 Initiated and co-ordinated by Sustainable Energy Ireland, who are de-centralising to Dundalk Increased generation of renewable energy matched with significant improvements in the energy efficiency of buildings in a zone of sustainability Partner communities in N. Ireland and abroad Funding from EU CONCERTO programme Creating a success story for others to follow

24 Dundalk Sustainable Energy Zone

25 Dundalk 2020

26 Dundalk 2020 Project management

27 Dundalk 2020 CREDIT s role: Develop a carbon modelling tool and apply to each building in the zone to determine carbon footprint Determine the value and usefulness of electricity storage on the Dundalk IT campus Detailed monitoring of electricity usage/generation Development of a computer model for sizing and control of flow battery storage Assist in the development of a second wind turbine autoproducer in the zone Assist in the development of a wood-fired district heating system in the zone

28 Conclusions The threats of global warming and energy supply security create an opportunity for renewable energy, which offers the only known possibility for energy sustainability The market doesn t properly value either the environment or energy supply security, and is not flagging the urgent need for a transition to energy sustainability Substantial government action is required

29 Conclusions Having and promoting a vision for a sustainable, renewable energy-based future is a good starting point for action Practical actions: Dundalk 2020-like projects for energy efficiency and renewable energy Iconic projects such as the Dundalk wind turbine for consciousness-raising Benevolent planning conditions for RE projects Public awareness campaigns

30 Thank you questions?