IRISH FOCUS
Northern Ireland Energy Strategy – An Update
WE CATCH UP WITH DAVID BLEVINGS , OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND OIL FEDERATION , FOR AN UPDATE ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ENERGY STRATEGY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND ..
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As a devolved matter , our local politicians will be deciding on a future Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland in early 2021 . To my mind this is a good thing .“ David explains .
“ Locally elected MLAs making decisions that will affect local people . OK , so they have not always got it right in the past but , given the difference in our fuel mix compared to GB ( over 60 % of homes here use a liquid fuel ) and the ‘ rural ’ nature of our homes , it is likely that we will see a different policy compared to GB .”
David feels that the liquid fuel sector is ably represented as OFTEC has a seat on the NI Heat Strategy Group . This was set up by the Department of Economy to advise the Minister on the proposed new strategy . This group brings together the major fuel groups , consumer interest groups , scholars , and energy
18 Fuel Oil News | November 2020 specialists .
“ Talks continue and , to date , we have developed positive discussion around the potential inclusion of biofuels in the future strategy .” David continues . ” Most participants agree that , due to the relatively low thermal efficiency of our housing stock and the rural nature of our dwellings , heat pumps are not the panacea to our carbon reduction dilemma . ( 70 % of bungalows , 44 % of terraces , 50 % of SDV and 53 % of detached houses in Northern Ireland are SAP band D-F and in OFTEC ’ s opinion , not readily suitable for air source heat pumps without significant cost and disruption ).”
A multi-faceted solution The group ’ s view is that a ‘ range ’ of fuels will make up the new strategy and promotion of a technology-neutral approach is starting to develop with different ‘ options ’ for on-grid ( heat pump and biogas ) and off-grid ( biofuels and heat pumps where feasible ) appearing .
“ The group has discussed , and will recommend , not setting a date for phasing out fossil fuels and is concentrating on delivering cost-effective solutions at lowest cost to the consumer .” David says .
Explaining the potential solutions David elaborates ;
“ We have advised local government that current oil consumers can reduce their carbon emissions from their home-heating by up to 91 % by using hydro-treated vegetable oil ( HVO ) whilst retaining existing equipment . This is great news and means consumers can reduce their carbon-footprint significantly and with no capital cost compared to the large sums of money required to retro-fit a house to make it suitable for an air source heat pump .
Glen Fuel Services talks net zero for Ireland
In an issue where we are looking at the
changes made by an industry challenged to reinvent itself to meet future energy demands , content editor Stephanie Samuel caught up with Alan Keyes , managing director of Glen Fuel Services Ltd , on the adaptations the company has itself made to help drive the energy transition in Ireland .
Alan began by taking us back to the start with the company ’ s decision to get involved in the renewable energy market four years ago ;
“ In conjunction with a few experienced renewable energy experts , we set up a sister company – Glenergy . We offer renewable energy solutions to the residential , commercial , industrial and agricultural sectors . These products and services would include CHP , hot water heat pumps , PV , heat pumps , EV and design amongst others .”
When asked about his exeperince of the increase in renewable offerings from refiners , Alan replied ;
“ The bio content in fuels over the last few years has obviously been increased substantially . We are aware of product testing by the likes of Neste , but a commercially viable bio heating oil would appear to be some time away . “
A series of stepping stones Focusing more on home turf , Alan shares his outlook for achieving net zero in Ireland , and the contribution from Glen Fuel Services to help reach this aim ;
“ There will be a series of stepping stones , both in Ireland and globally , for the ambition of zero carbon energy to be achieved . The stated aim to have 1m EVs in Ireland by 2030 will not happen , similarly with converting 700k OFCH houses to heat pumps over a similar short period of time will not happen . There are many issues that have to be resolved for this to happen least of all the big question as to where all of the power will come from to charge those EVs and heat those houses .
“ There are concerns in Ireland though about using condensing boilers as part of a solution presumably as it locks in the use of fossil fuels . This then opens the door for gas as it has the potential to be totally renewable using hydrogen .
“ We will be concentrating our efforts on “ greening ” our customer base with a combination of condensing boilers , hot water heat pumps and PV . This offering will result in an immediate reduction in carbon emissions of 50 % at a fraction of the cost of the current retrofitting / heat pump scheme