Tappaghan Mountain’s windmill
The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 requires all UK local authorities with housing responsibilities to prepare, publish and submit to the Secretary of State an energy conservation report identifying energy conservation measures, which it considers practicable, cost-effective and likely to result in a significant improvement in the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation in its area. Based on the information provided by local authorities in England, an improvement in energy efficiency of just under 30% in all residential accommodation is achievable by 2008.
There is now a growing body of opinion in Northern Ireland supporting the view that farmers can actively incorporate alternative energy production and land use systems into their future business plans! Issues such as biomass and the growing of arable crops for energy should now start to take centre stage from a commercial point of view. Models can be developed that are either centred on the generation of electricity to sell or on the basis of small farmer groups coming together and acting co-operatively to meet their own energy needs German livestock producers are already producing biogas from animal slurries. The methane made available can then be burned to produce on-farm heat and power with the excess used sold to the German national grid
From an arable perspective, oilseed rape can be grown and then crushed, either on-farm, or on a cooperative basis to meet the growing-demand for bio diesel. Car and tractor engines can be modified to run on rape oil. As a means of further encouraging the use of this carbon neutral fuel, agri cooperatives set up in the Netherlands and Belgium over the past decade also carry out the required the engine alteration for customers.
'Clear Skies'is a new renewable energy grant scheme from BRE (Building Research Establishment) and the DTI launched in Jan 2003. Application forms are available online, or on request from the dedicated helpline at 0870 2430930. Grants are available for a number of renewable energy technologies including solar water heating, wind power, micro-hydro, heat-pumps and wood burning stoves and boilers. Currently grants are only available for installed systems. Clear Skies aims to give householders and communities a chance to realise the benefits of renewable energy by providing grants and access to sources of advice.
WREANis a local Energy Agency formed by Fermanagh District Council with assistance from the Department of Economic Development and the European Commission Directorate General for Energy, DGXVII under the "Regional and Urban Energy Management in the European Union" initiative. Objectives of WREAN:
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To promote the rational use of energy
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To promote renewable energy
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To produce energy information
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To disseminate energy information
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To protect the enviroment