RALSERES (Regional Approaches to Stimulating Local Renewable Energy Solutions) recently organised a ‘Wood Energy Support Service Workshop’ in Claremorris, Mayo.
Participants in the RASLRES pilot projects met with experts in the wood energy field to discuss the way forward for the west in developing local and regional solutions for wood energy from renewable resources.
This open industry workshop provided an opportunity to showcase the success to date of companies and individuals participating in the RASLRES pilot projects and to provide information and learning to those who have an interest in becoming part of the wood energy community, from fuel producers and processors to boiler installations and heat energy users.
The workshop covered topics including forestry fuel resources in the western region, the potential of energy crops, the bioenergy GIS and wood energy procurement for the public sector and issues for heat users. In addition, it provided an opportunity to learn from the experience of the wood energy market in Northern Ireland through the international RASLRES team.
RASLRES is a European bio-energy project led by the Western Development Commission. RASLRES goes to the heart of the local community by using local resources and local people to provide a complete solution for renewable energy in turn providing jobs and opportunities.
The project has already delivered 7 pilot models in the west from Donegal to Clare which provides the starting point for development of a sustainable wood energy supply chain delivered within the local region.