The Scottish Government has launched guidance designed to make planning applications for wind energy developments run more smoothly for developers, planning authorities and the communities affected.

The guidance is a result of the GP Wind Project, a Scottish-Government led EU project which looked at the barriers to development of wind energy and ways of reconciling renewable energy objectives with environmental concerns, and actively involving communities in the planning process.

The guidelines were developed in partnership with a wide range of interested parties, including  the RSPB, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, SSE and Scottish Power Renewables.

The Scottish Government also announced an “onshore wind taskforce”, which will look at ways to improve the planning consent process for onshore wind while keeping communities involved, consulted and informed, by bringing key players in the planning system  including the Scottish Government, developers and statutory consultees (including Scottish Natural Heritage, SEPA, and planning authorities) together to critically examine current procedures.

“The Scottish Government wants to see the right developments in the right places, and this guidance will help to ensure that – while also making sure there are fewer unsuitable applications and that communities are properly consulted and informed,” says Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. “We have set an ambitious, but achievable, renewable energy target and we are determined to ensure that communities all over Scotland benefit from our renewable energy revolution, which is already bringing jobs and investment. But we are determined that this should be done in an sustainable way, sympathetic to the needs of communities and protecting the environment and our fantastic natural heritage.”

David Gardner, Director of SSE Renewables (onshore), says: “Many other countries across Europe will benefit from Scotland demonstrating a leading role in delivering good practice in renewable energy development, but we can always learn to do better, and sharing good practice across the industry in this way is a very positive step.”

Wind energy company Simple Power and Northern Ireland’s biggest electricity retailer Power NI have announced a powerful working partnership which sees the electricity company purchase power generated by Simple Power’s single wind turbines across Northern Ireland. The contract term extends for fifteen years.

Signing a first-of-its-kind partnership for a medium wind energy company inNorthern Irelandsees Simple Power committing to generate 50 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity for distribution by Power NI – enough to power the equivalent of around 50,000 homes.

The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) framework covers all of Simple Power’s 200 medium scale single wind turbines which it is installing across Northern Ireland over the next five years and represents a major milestone for wind energy in the region.

“Our power purchase agreement with Power NI helps towards Northern Ireland’s renewable energy target of 40% by 2020,” says Paul Carson, chief executive of Simple Power. “Our partnership with Power NI not only meets demands for Northern Ireland’s renewable energy generation now and in the future, it is also benefitting the local economy by creating a strong local workforce to support this new green economy. Medium scale wind development, in the form of the single wind turbines we develop, also supports the rural economy by enabling farmers and landowners to participate in renewable generation. The agreement with Power NI offered the best commerical terms for Simple Power providing access to the wholesale electricity market.”

CAPTION:

Pictured are: Stephen McCully, managing director of Power NI, and Paul Carson, founder and chief executive of Simple Power.

A delegation fromWashington State’s Department of Commerce recently visited the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) as part of a trade mission to Ireland and Englandto develop business linkages. The visit presents an exciting opportunity for Irish clean-tech companies to make meaningful collaborations with international markets, including the US and Far East which can be easily accessed via Washington.

The delegation included leaders from industry, academia, state utilities and public enterprise organisations who were visiting with the intention of growing foreign exports and encouraging direct investment particularly in key growth areas, such as sustainable technology and ocean energy. The delegation was also keen to learn from Ireland’s experience in relation to renewable energy and carbon reduction policies.

SEAI chief executive, Dr Brian Motherway, comments: “Ireland has developed significant expertise in sustainable energy which now presents global commercial opportunities. As foreign markets increasingly recognise our knowledge and experience, and look to link with us, Irish businesses can expand to wider international markets and create real enterprise benefits.”

As part of the visit to SEAI, the delegation met with leading Irish ocean energy experts who briefed them on the latest Irish developments in wave and tidal energy. Ireland is one of the global leaders in the development of ocean energy technology and, through SEAI, will host a major international conference on ocean energy, ICOE2012, in October this year.

Fullabrook Wind Farm in Devon, England’s largest onshore wind farm and ESB Wind Development’s first wind farm construction project in Great Britain, has been shortlisted for the Large Project Award at the Inaugural Renewables UK Energy Awards 2012. The 66MW wind farm was constructed within 13 months using a multi-contract model managed by ESB International. The project comprises 22 Vestas V90 3MW turbines with a connection into the Western Power Distribution (WPD) 132kV grid system. The main electrical works were provided by Gaeltec-KTL and the site civil works by John Sisk & Sons.

The project involved the full roll out of ESB Wind Development’s revised Safety Management Strategy, which requires each of the main contractors to commit to a shared Project Safety Vision. “This, combined with visible leadership, focused safety audits and a commitment to ‘near miss/good catch’ reporting and analysis, resulted in over 147,000 contractor hours being delivered with no lost time injuries, and only one minor injury.” explains Sean Hegarty, Engineering Manager, ESB International.

The project also received a gold award at the recently held ‘Considerate Constructors’ award.

The RenewableUK Awards 2012, which recognise achievement and excellence in renewable energy, will take place on 27 June in the Intercontinental London Park Lane. Fullabrook is one of six finalists in the Large Company category.

ESB International is a leading international engineering consultancy which provides effective client solutions relating to the planning, development, construction and operations of electricity asset portfolios. It is wholly owned by ESB, the Irish State-owned, vertically integrated electricity utility established in 1927

RenewableUK (formerly BWEA) is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with 644 corporate members, RenewableUK is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK.

RBS was by far the biggest lender to renewable energy projects in the UK last year, lending more than double the amount of its nearest competitor, according to independent research. The bank says it expects the sector to grow further in the next few years.

Figures from Infrastructure Journal show RBS loaned more than $366 million to UK renewable projects last year. The journal also calculates that across the sector, lending increased by nearly 200% on the previous year. In 2010 deals worth $464 million were completed, which increased to $1.37 billion in 2011 (figures from Infrastructure Journal).

Jamieson Thrower, senior director in RBS’s structured finance division says: “RBS is playing its part in financing the transition to a greener economy. We have built up an impressive level of expertise in this area, which shows in the growing number of transactions we completed last year. With EU members committed to sourcing 20% of their energy from renewables by 2020, the sector is likely to remain busy over the next few years.”

One driver behind the increase in activity in the sector is the surge in biomass developments after the UK reviewed its Renewables Obligation banding in October 2011. This was encouraging for onshore wind and proposed greater subsidies for enhanced biomass generators while leaving incentives for other forms of biomass power mostly unchanged, easing uncertainty across the industry for continued future development. Biomass plants generate power from organic materials such as woodchips, municipal waste and straw.

Having just officially opened its first developed wind farm, Bord Gais Energy (BGE) plans to bring a second facility on stream in 2012 as part of a €400 million investment programme to create a further 250MWs of wind energy over the next three years. Bord Gáis Energy’s first developed wind farm, Ballymartin Wind Farm, is located at Mullinavat, County Kilkenny. The second windfarm to become operational in 2012 will be Garracummer Wind Farm in County Tipperary, which will bring an additional 42MW of wind energy online.

Bord Gais Energy is a key player in the Irish wind energy market and has 15% of the installed wind capacity in Ireland at present. The company owns and operates 132 turbines on 13 wind farms in eight counties – Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Donegal and Tyrone. The company’s long-term investment in renewable energy reflects and supports the Government’s target of having 40% of electricity produced by renewables by 2020. It is envisaged that wind energy will provide the largest source of renewable energy to achieve these targets.

John Mullins, chief executive of Bord Gais, comments: “The launch of Ballymartin Wind Farm is a significant milestone in Bord Gais’ renewable energy agenda. At present, our windfarms can provide energy to 150,000 homes across this country, and by the end of 2012, this will increase to 180,000 homes. We are committed to providing a sustainable energy product for our customers and we are actively pursuing a portfolio that reduces the carbon footprint associated with providing this energy. Long-term investment in the development of Irish wind is a cornerstone of our investment strategy and we will ensure Ireland maximises the benefit of one of its most precious indigenous resources – the wind.” In the past five years alone Bord Gais has invested Eur2 billion in the Irish economy.”

The upgraded national grid which is being put in place will provide a platform for Irish economic recovery and inward investment, according to EirGrid. During 2011, EirGrid completed approximately 80 km of new circuits as part of its Grid25 strategy and over 300 km of existing circuits were upgraded. A further 160 km of new circuits are at an advanced construction stage and are expected to be completed in 2012.

Implementation of the Grid25 programme is expected to create major benefits for all regions of Ireland. In addition, this coming September will see the completion of the East West Interconnector, which will electrically connect Ireland to the UK and beyond into Europe and will enable Ireland to participate in those electricity markets.

Dermot Byrne, chief executive of EirGrid, comments: “Business and job creation will benefit in a number of ways as we know that competition drives down prices, and that is attractive to new and existing investors. The first auction for capacity on the East West Interconnector will take place this summer, and this will enable Ireland to develop a new and indigenous sector – the energy export market. We have plenty of potential to develop our renewable energy resources here.”

He adds: “EirGrid recently announced a Eur500 million investment in a new electricity link between Munster and Leinster, and this, alongside other current or planned projects, will enable Ireland to have a 21st century grid, modern enough and flexible enough to cater for the requirements of future generations.”

The East West Interconnector project continues to progress on time for delivery in September 2012. This will bring an additional capacity of 500 MW (megawatts) of power to be traded in both directions. Benefits will include increased competitiveness, enhanced security of supply and the facilitation of renewable energy.

In the financial year ended 30th September 2011, EirGrid increased revenue to Eur470.7 million, from €443.8 million the previous year, and operating profit rose to €30.3 million, compared to €15.7 million in 2010. This increase in statutory profit largely reflects actual outturns in costs and revenues different to the assumptions made in setting EirGrid’s regulated tariffs, giving rise in this instance to an over-recovery. In accordance with normal regulatory practice, this will be corrected in future tariffs.

Renewable energy currently accounts for about 17% of total customer demand across the island or Ireland. The target in both jurisdictions is to reach 40% by 2020.

Public consultation has started on the Grid Link Project, an estimated Eur500 million development planned by EirGrid to upgrade the electricity grid. The development will involve the construction of a new power line linking Leinster and Munster. The Grid Link Project is a key element of EirGrid’s Grid25 strategy – a Eur3.2 billion investment in developing and upgrading Ireland’s electricity transmission grid.

EirGrid carried out a detailed analysis of the national transmission grid to identify the level of reinforcement required to ensure a secure electricity supply and to enable the country achieve its renewable energy targets. This analysis identified a capacity shortfall in the south and east of the country.

Dermot Byrne, chief executive of EirGrid, says: “This is a vital development strengthening the electricity grid across the south and east of the country that will help empower economic growth and enable Ireland to meet its renewable energy targets. The project will help enable Ireland to shift from a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels to more sustainable sources of energy. It will also help ensure that the most efficient electricity generators in the south and east are utilised in the most effective way.”

EirGrid has established a dedicated project team that has identified a proposed study area within which the project will be located. The project team will undertake detailed studies and extensive public consultation over the coming years to determine constraints that will influence the siting and route selection.

The initial proposed project study area, spanning counties Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow, is now the subject of non-statutory public consultation. This first stage of consultation will run for an eight-week period from Thursday 12th April 2012 to Friday 8th June 2012. For more information visit www.eirgridprojects.com/gridlink

Based on assessments to date, EirGrid has determined that the optimum solution is the construction of a 400 kV alternating current (AC) overhead line linking Cork and Kildare via Wexford. EirGrid will review its technology analysis at key stages throughout the project to ensure it remains valid.

EirGrid has established a comprehensive information service to inform people about the project, answer their questions, provide access to maps and technical documentation and hear their views. Information offices will open in New Ross, Carlow, Carrick-on-Suir and Midleton from Monday, 16th April. A lo-call information line, 1890-422 122, is operated during office hours and public open days will be held in May. People may also email the project to gridlink@eirgrid.com.

Ireland has passed a key renewable milestone as installed wind capacity now exceeds 2GW. That is enough power capacity to supply the needs of up to 1.3 million households on the island, depending on weather conditions. This is compared to just a quarter of that capacity connected a decade ago.

Fintan Slye, director of operations at EirGrid, the company responsible for planning and operating the transmission system, comments: “Ireland and Northern Ireland have huge renewable energy potential and EirGrid is committed to ensuring this potential is developed throughout the island as a whole. We now have over 2GW of installed wind and are at times operating with wind supplying 50% of the total demand on the island, one of the highest percentage renewable energy penetration levels of wind on any power system. Meeting our 2020 targets will mean that, at times, the amount of wind energy being generated in Ireland and Northern Ireland will be up to 75% of total demand. This increase of wind on our system has required extensive innovation and planning and further changes will be required to meet the challenges that 75% of wind penetration brings in areas such as system stability, resource flexibility and altered power flows.”

EirGrid is responding to these challenges in a number of ways; though the planning and development of transmission infrastructure, increased interconnection and the development of smart grid technology.

The power sector is the one of the world’s biggest consumers of water, but one source – wind power – uses very little water to produce electricity. All fossil fuels and nuclear need significant quantities of water to pump crude oil out of the ground, remove pollutants from power plant exhausts, flush residues after fossil fuels are burned and cool power plants.

Coal uses up to 3.2 cubic metres of water per megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity produced, gas uses up to 1.7 m3 per MWh and nuclear around 2.7 m3 per MWh, but wind power uses only a fraction of these amounts.

In the US, the Department of Energy estimates that with a 20% share of wind power in the power system by 2030, as much as 15 trillion litres of water could be saved. That is the equivalent to the annual consumption of more than 9 million US citizens.

“Water scarcity is becoming a global challenge exacerbated by population growth and climate change. Wind energy is key to preserving our water resources and fighting climate change,” argues Remi Gruet, EWEA senior regulatory affairs advisor for environment and climate change. “Governments should therefore take a much more holistic approach to energy policy and promote investments in wind energy with ambitious targets for renewable energy.”
Global water demand is expected to outstrip supply by 2030 as world population grows and demand for power rises, according to the 2030 water resources group.

The European Parliament has voted for the first time in favour of setting a binding renewable energy target for 2030. “The Parliament’s vote sends a strong message to the European Council as it prepares its response to the European Commission’s Energy Roadmap 2050,” comments Stephane Bourgeois, head of regulatory affairs at the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). “Ministers should take heed of the European Parliament and endorse a binding renewables target for 2030. Binding targets for renewables are proven to be effective, and targets for 2030 would continue to drive European industry, boost energy security and are key in tackling climate change.”

A 2030 renewable energy target is supported by Climate Action Commissioner Hedegaard, and Energy Commissioner Oettinger has called for a decision on such a target by 2014. The Parliament’s vote was part of the Davies report on the 2050 low carbon economy roadmap.

The European Parliament has also voted in favour of calling on the Commission to correct the failings of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), possibly through a set-aside of allowances.

“MEPs have voted to take the urgent action which is needed to boost carbon prices in order to help the carbon market recover and fix the ETS,” says Remi Gruet, senior regulatory affairs advisor for climate and environment at EWEA. “The simplest way to do this is to remove surplus allowances from the market. The Commission now needs to propose measures to do this.”

There has been a marked improvement in environmental awareness in Ireland over the past decade reveals the ConsEnSus Lifestyle Survey just published today by NUI Galway and funded under the EPA’s STRIVE Research programme. The same survey reports that approximately one fifth of all survey respondents had changed their energy supplier to a renewable energy supplier in the past five years and a large percentage (almost 70%) of respondents stated that the re-introduction of water charges would lead to a change in water usage.

The ConsEnSus (Consumption, Environment and Sustainability) Lifestyle Survey was carried out by researchers in the School of Geography and Archaeology at NUI Galway with 1,500 households nationwide between 2010 and 2011. The aim of this survey was to obtain an understanding of people’s attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable household consumption and sustainable lifestyles. The survey explored respondents’ household behaviours in the areas of mobility, food, water and energy use. The questionnaire also examined attitudes towards the environment, towards environmental responsibility as well as attitudes towards perceived levels of environmental control and perceptions of quality of life.

According to the project manager Dr Frances Fahy, lecturer in Geography at NUI Galway: “The survey is the first of its kind in the island of Ireland and the results have produced a huge database on public attitudes and actions towards consumption and sustainable lifestyles. The respondents were asked questions that went further than how and when they undertook certain everyday activities – for example transport to work choices, water or energy conservation activities – focusing on why they undertake these activities. The results provide extremely useful data revealing underlying motivations for many consumption activities and lifestyle choices.”

Environmental Concern

The study found encouragingly high levels of reported environmental concern (86% or 1,289 respondents stated that they were concern about the environment). Similar levels of environmental concern were recorded across all age cohorts; with slightly higher levels of concern noted amongst respondents in the 50-65 age category (88%) and also in the 65-79 age group (88%), in comparison to respondents in the younger 18-33 age categories (83%).

Over half of the respondents (58%) felt that they needed ‘to behave in a more environmentally friendly way’ and 82% believed that their personal behaviour could make a difference to the environment.

In the Lifestyle Survey approximately two-thirds of all respondents agreed with the statement, ‘I trust eco-labels’. 66% of survey respondents stated that they pay attention to where and how the food they buy is produced.

Food Waste

Within the sustainable food movement, a particular concern is the large amount of waste occurring at every stage of the food chain. Many factors contribute to food waste and recent reports estimate that wasted food costs each Irish household approximately €700 annually (EPA, 2011). The findings highlight public attitudes and behaviour towards food waste in Irish households. A significant majority of respondents (89%) agreed with the statement ‘I try to reduce the amount of food waste my household produces’. The most common reasons for throwing food away are: ‘Too much is bought and it expires’ and ‘Food goes off because of a change in plans’. Just over a third of all participants claimed to never throw food away.

With the cost of providing clean drinking water escalating, and with the proposed re-introduction of water charges for domestic dwellings, water and water conservation in particular, has become a very important issue for policy makers, businesses and consumers alike. The Lifestyle Survey found that a substantial number of respondents to the survey (40%) stated that they do not pay attention to the amount of water they use in their homes. Over one third of all respondents (34%) reported drinking bottled water on a daily basis.

80% of all respondents surveyed across the island stated that there is ‘a need to save water’ with just 10% of respondents believing that there was no need to conserve water.

Finally, 68% of survey respondents stated that the re-introduction of a water charge would change their water usage.

Changeover to Renewable Energy Suppliers

Just over one fifth of respondents (21%) had changed to a renewable energy supplier in the past five years. Of these respondents; 65% stated ‘financial reasons’ as their rationale for this behaviour and only 9% reported ‘solely environmental reasons’. Respondents in the 34-49 age group were most likely to have changed to a renewable energy supplier.

The Lifestyle Survey found that although almost three quarters of all respondents (73%) stated that they would be willing to install insulation in their homes, less than one quarter of respondents (23%) had actually done so in the past five years.

Transport

71% of respondents who reported commuting to work, school or college stated that they usually drive a car. When respondents were asked what would encourage people to reduce their car journeys, 53% of the sample stated ‘improved, more affordable public transport’, 12% of the people reported ‘financial incentives to encourage walking and cycling’ and a further 12% citied ‘improved bike lanes, footpaths and pedestrian crossings’.

Respondents who failed to use available public transport viewed it as ‘too restrictive’ (42%), ‘too unreliable’ (11%) and ‘too expensive’ (7%). 27% of urban dwellers who participated in the survey stated that there was no public transport available at all for their commute to work, school or college. The survey indicates that rural Ireland is particularly affected by gaps in public transport provision. Almost half of all rural respondents reported that there is no public transport for their commute to work, school or college.