UK AD and Bio Gas Exhibition

Had a very informative trip to the NEC in Birmingham last Thursday to visit the UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bio Gas exhibition.  Most of the major players in the industry Europe wide were represented and I have to say if we can embrace the technology here in Ireland, with the help and expertise that's out there, we can be assured of a very bright future.

I know I keep saying it, but the rest of Europe is so far ahead of us in this field.  Its frustrating that an agricultural country like Ireland is not more advanced in our use of the technology.  There is no re-inventing the wheel, its all there, in bucket loads.  One of the things which most impressed me was the presence at the exhibition of UK local and central governmental agencies, providing help and back up to those in the industry.  I spoke to some people on a few of the stands and they were just so accommodating.  Even though we are operating in another jurisdiction, they took the time to explain UK renewable feed in tariff arrangements, the process of obtain planning and the process for getting a grid connection, very impressive people indeed.  As I mentioned in a tweet last week, the Scottish government are also encouraging the use of fertilisers produced in the AD process, (cleaner, significantly less odorous and more environmentally beneficial), to be used by farmers.  They estimate that in a short space of time, the use of this fertiliser could replace up to 25% of conventional chemically manufactured fertilisers.

The feed in tariff arrangements throughout the UK are substantially better than in Eire and the difference a couple of hundred feet on either side of the border between Northern and Southern Ireland can be the difference in 2 to 3 years payback on capital costs, even though those capital cost are for the most part similar.  Agencies such as the IrBEA, (Irish Bio Energy Association), have been lobbying for some time to try to get the Irish Government see sense.  That renewables are the way forward but only if the playing field between taxpayer subsidised semi state energy companies and renewable energy producers is leveled.

Anyway folks, the struggle goes on, remember to tune in regularly for more updates.