The IrBEA Bioenergy Webinar Series 2020 kicked off today, it was promising to see 65 participants registered for this event. Noel Gavigan and Eugene Hendrick had an information packed one hour talk on domestic and commercial renewable heating. They discussed the differences between wood pellet and woodchip boilers and stoves. This was followed by discussing the choice of appliances and the need to move toward efficient low carbon options such as eco-design stoves. Wood fuel was discussed in detail and the need for the fuel to be certified through the WFQA Scheme which insures below 20% moisture content which both increases efficiency of heating but also minimises emissions to air for the consumer. Finally there was a discussion on industrial use for wood fuel. It was emphasised that wood chip and wood pellets offer the only viable solution for renewable supply of heat or steam. It is has in fact got the lowest carbon footprint for heat of all the fuel options and we now have the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat available for commercial projects which gives grants for a 15 year period.
If you would like to see the webinar please view here
If you would like to view the presentation slides please view here

The members of the WFQA are very committed to promoting quality fuels, and striving to lift the standards of the entire industry. This document reports on the activities of the organisation over the last 12 months with updates on the committee and details on aims and ambitions of the members going forward. Read report here

PRESS RELEASE: Bioenergy a driving force to achieve renewable heat, transport and electricity targets - IrBEA
Bioenergy - Inspiring the industry with opportunity and vision is the theme of the Irish Bioenergy Association National Bioenergy conference which is sponsored by Bord an Móna and takes place in Croke Park, Dublin last month. The conference focused on the untapped potential that Bioenergy presents in the form of biomass, biogas, biofuels, energy crops and wood fuels to achieve renewable energy targets in heat, transport and electricity.
Speaking at the conference Seán Finan CEO of IrBEA said “Mobilising Irish indigenous biomass and brash is crucial to achieving our Renewable Energy targets in both the electricity and heating sector. Addressing the challenges of mobilisation of our private forestry estate will need to be overcome. Bord na Móna, our conference premium sponsors is pleased to be helping unlock the biomass opportunity in Ireland as an outlet for material while helping to decarbonise Ireland's electricity grid.
The Renewable Heat agenda will be served by improving access to Irish biomass supplies, enabled by improvements to the biomass supply chain infrastructure from mobilisation of the Private Forestry supply and also the promotion of Energy Crops.
Tom Egan Head of Bioenergy Operations and Power Generation at Bord na Móna said “ Bord na Móna are leaders in the Irish biomass industry, and on an exciting transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy at its Edenderry Power Station in Co, Offaly. Edenderry Power is on a course towards 100% renewable electricity generation by as soon as 2024. The biomass contribution at Edenderry makes it the biggest supplier of ‘on-demand’ renewable energy on the island of Ireland.  This means that when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine Edenderry can guarantee a supply of renewable energy to the grid; this adds flexibility to the grid to install more wind and solar generation. 
Tom Egan concluded “Edenderry Power continues to transition towards ever increasing levels of biomass, which is sustainable, and 80% of which is indigenous  from local Irish suppliers.  This helps Bord na Móna continue to drive the economic and growth agenda in rural Ireland, the midlands and beyond -supporting what are sustainable jobs, sourcing sustainable Irish biomass feedstocks over the ‘Just Transition’ period and beyond. Bord na Móna uses mainly residual forest material (brash). Bord na Móna wants to secure increasing indigenous biomass from the well documented availability from private forestry and also want to help realise the energy crop opportunity that exists for farmers.