New National Energy Efficiency Action Plan aims to achieve 20% reduction

Posted on | November 25, 2009 | No Comments

The Irish Government has committed to achieving a 20% reduction in energy demand across the whole of the economy through energy efficiency measures.  Recognising that Government must lead by example, they have committed to achieving a 33% reduction in public sector energy use.

“Improving Ireland’s energy efficiency is an essential part of Ireland’s sustainable energy policy, and will play a vital role in reducing our dependence of fossil fuels. The Government set out an energy policy framework in its White Paper: Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland - the Energy Policy Framework for 2007-2020.  This policy framework is designed to steer Ireland to a new and sustainable energy future; one that helps us reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. Efficient energy use directly contributes to security of energy supply, sustainable transport, affordable energy, competitiveness and environmental sustainability.”

Full report can be downloaded here

Oil raises towards $69 a barrel

Posted on | September 15, 2009 | No Comments

Oil rose towards $69 a barrel today, lifted by a weaker dollar. US crude for October delivery rose six cents to $68.92 a barrel this morning, off an intra-day high of $69.23, while Brent lost 34 cents to $67.10.

Analysts said that crude oil was generally taking its cue from the dollar and equities.

US : DOE plans $346 million for building energy efficiency programs

Posted on | July 2, 2009 | No Comments

Energy Secretary Steven Chu has pointed to buildings as a key target for saving energy. On Monday, the Department of Energy backed him up with about $346 million in stimulus package funding.

The 81 million or so buildings in the United States use about two-fifths of the country’s energy, more than manufacturing or transportation, the DOE says. About three-quarters were built before 1979, making them ripe for efficiency retrofits.

In the future, the DOE would like to see buildings built and operated as an “integrated system” with energy efficiency at the forefront, from design to day-to-day maintenance. Large savings can be make using smarter software for controlling building HVAC, lighting and other energy-using systems. A host of energy services companies, or ESCOs, provide such services, and startups are coming up with both new technologies and new business models to improve on their offerings.

Irish Government announce large-scale energy-saving refurbishment

Posted on | June 3, 2009 | 1 Comment

More than 1,000 large-scale public buildings are to be refurbished to reduce energy consumption by up to one third,the Government announce.

The targets, among some 90 separate measures aimed at creating a “greener Ireland”, are intended to save the State €1.6 billion annually in energy costs by 2020. This is to be achieved through a 20 per cent overall reduction in energy wastage, including a 33 per cent reduction from the public sector.

All public sector bodies are to be required to produce an annual report outlining their progress towards the 33 per cent target.

In addition, the State procurement spending of up to €10 billion per year will from 2009 be subject to new guidelines on purchasing energy efficient products and services.

Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan, said the cheapest way to achieve energy efficiency was to reduce waste.

Oil prices hold above $60 a barrel

Posted on | May 25, 2009 | No Comments

Oil held above $60 a barrel in Asian trade today ahead of a meeting this week of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

New York’s main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, was down 33 cents to $61.34 a barrel in morning trade. Brent North Sea crude for July delivery retreated 23 cents to $60.55.

Prices eased as investors cashed in on profits ahead of the OPEC meeting on Thursday.

Algerian oil minister Chakib Khelil was quoted over the weekend that he expected oil prices to hit $70 a barrel next year.

Miliband announces plans to reduce carbon footprint by 80% by 2050.

Posted on | May 19, 2009 | No Comments

UK government commits to cutting greenhouse-gas emissions by 80% by the middle of the century in a bid to tackle climate change.

Miliband told MPs that the tough economic conditions were not an excuse to “row back” on the commitment to tackle global warming.

He accepted the recommendations of the government-appointed Climate Change Committee, chaired by Lord Turner, which said last week that the UK ought to commit to an 80% reduction from 1990 levels for all greenhouse gases and covering all sectors.

Irish Energy Related CO2 Emissions Fell by 1.4% Between 2005 - 2007 (SEI)

Posted on | December 18, 2008 | No Comments

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has today published a new report, Energy in Ireland 1990 – 2007, which shows that since 2005*, energy-related CO₂ emissions have reduced by 1.4% (excluding international aviation), while the economy grew by 12% during the same period. The report also shows that Ireland is continuing to become more energy efficient with the primary energy intensity** of the economy falling by 42% between 1990 – 2007.

The report, published by SEI’s Energy Policy Statistical Support Unit (EPSSU), details key trends in Ireland’s energy use and CO₂ emissions. Some key highlights are detailed below:

Highlights:

• The primary energy intensity of the economy fell by 42% between 1990 – 2007 (3.1% per annum).  In 1990 the Irish economy required 150 kilograms of oil equivalent (kgoe) to produce one thousand euro of GDP (in constant 2006 values). By 2007 this had fallen to just 90 kgoe, demonstrating a long term trend towards greater energy efficiency.
• In 2007, all sectors of the economy, with the exception of transport which grew by 5.1%, experienced reductions in energy-related CO₂ emissions.
• Ireland’s import dependency, while falling from 91% in 2006, still remained high at 89% in 2007.
• Between July and October 2008, after the introduction of emission-linked VRT and road tax rates, the share of lower emission cars was 84% of total vehicle sales, compared with 41% in the same period of 2007.
• Renewable energy increased by 11% in 2007, including a 21% increase in wind energy.

Brian Motherway, Head of Industry, SEI said; “Today’s report reveals a long term trend of improving energy efficiency in the Irish economy. This gain was made over a period of sustained strong economic growth. However, while the analysis of 1990 to 2007 charts a period of considerable change, the coming years of lower economic growth and increasing targets will require much greater and more rapid change, in how we source and use energy.”

“The report also analyses how Ireland will meet its national energy and emissions targets. In the past week the EU has agreed increased targets in this regard which will require considerable effort on Ireland’s behalf in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements” continued Mr. Motherway.

The transport sector recorded the highest growth rates of any sector in 2007 in terms of primary energy consumption which grew at 5.3%. The report however also contains the latest data showing increased share in new car sales of lower emission vehicles since the introduction in July 2008 of emission-linked VRT and road tax rates. Between July and October 2008, after the change in car taxes, 84% of new cars sold were in VRT bands A, B and C (i.e. < 155 gCO₂/km),  up from 41% in the same period in 2007. The average CO₂ emissions of new cars in Ireland in 2007 was 164 gCO₂/km.

Energy in Ireland 1990 – 2007 examines energy trends in Ireland since 1990 with particular emphasis on 2007. It discusses the underlying causes and relates the trends to Government and EU targets for the purpose of informing the development of Government policies and measures to meet the targets.

*2005 is the base year upon which proposed new EU emissions targets are to be measured.

**Primary Energy Intensity is the energy used per unit of GDP generated

Renewable energy use up 20%

Posted on | November 12, 2008 | No Comments

Ireland’s use of renewable energy is growing by almost 20% a year.

A report from Sustainable Energy Ireland shows our use of renewables doubled over the four years to 2007.

As a result of a 12% increase last year, 2.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided.

Half of last year’s renewable energy contribution came from wind energy.

Minister Ryan publishes energy efficient equipment list to qualify under the Government’s Accelerated Capital Allowance scheme

Posted on | November 11, 2008 | No Comments

Energy Minister, Eamon Ryan, today made an Order adopting the first list of energy efficient products approved for tax relief under the Government’s Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) for Energy Efficient Equipment initiative.

The ACA, introduced by the Government under section 46 of the Finance Act 2008, offers a tax incentive for companies to purchase energy efficient equipment. The entire purchase cost of products on the list can be written off against corporation tax in the year of purchase.

By encouraging companies to purchase energy efficient equipment, the ACA aims to improve the energy efficiency of Irish companies and assist the Government in meeting its energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission targets,

The ACA offers an incentive to companies who are planning to purchase equipment in 5 specific categories:

• Building Energy Management Systems
• Lighting
• Lighting Controls
• Motors
• Variable Speed Drives

Speaking today, Minister Ryan said, ‘When I first introduced this scheme, my aim was to assist companies operating in Ireland to reduce their energy costs and their CO₂ emissions. That aim is even more relevant in the current economic climate, with Irish businesses facing many challenges, including cost-reduction in order to improve their competitiveness. I am delighted that, from today, companies can avail of the opportunity being provided by Government to do just that - reduce an element of their overheads while at the same time, reducing their carbon emissions. This is a win-win for Irish business.’

Brian Motherway, Head of Industry at SEI said, “The opportunity now exists for companies to begin to benefit from the ACA with the completed list of eligible products now available online. This enables companies to identify the specific technologies that qualify for the tax incentive under the ACA. The savings available through this scheme on the purchase cost of eligible equipment, along with the competitiveness and environmental gains achievable through their lower energy use, make a compelling business case for companies to avail of the scheme.”

SEI is responsible for compiling the ACA list of eligible products and will maintain and regularly propose updates to the list. The eligible product list is now available on SEI’s searchable online database at www.sei.ie/aca. Over 2,800 products have been approved to be published on this list.