An Assessment of the Renewable Energy Resource Potential of Dry Agricultural Residues in Ireland

Name of Contractor:  RPS - MCOS
Grant Award:  € 21,425
Category:  Public Good
Completion Date:  December 2003
Download Report:  Final Report

Introduction

The EU RES-E directive (2001/77/EC) sets a target of 13.2% of electricity supply in Ireland to come from renewable sources by 2010.  In this context and in order to identify the potential contribution of bioenergy to this target, an assessment of the biomass resources was necessary.  From a review of existing studies it was considered that dry agricultural residues (straw, poultry litter and spent mushroom compost) were not sufficiently well explored.  In consequence, SEI commissioned a resource study looking at these specific streams.

The goals of the study were to quantify the existing resources, including their geographical spread, and to assess the likely level of future supply for conversion to electricity, with due account taken of competing uses.

Outputs

The main finding of the study were as follows:

• The current and projected future “practical” energy potential for all three residue streams is limited.
• Straw production is concentrated in the east and south east of the country.  With due account taken of competing uses (animal bedding, mushroom compost) and availability of a sufficient quantity of excess material within a reasonably sized catchment area, the “practical” potential for straw in Ireland is estimated to be approximately 1.8 PJ per annum.
• Poultry litter production is concentrated in County Monaghan (and County Limerick to a lesser extent) and in Northern Ireland.  Having accounted for competing uses (mushroom compost and land spreading as a fertiliser) the “practical” resource is estimated to be approximately 0.3 PJ per annum.
• Spent mushroom compost (SMC) production is concentrated in Counties Monaghan and Cavan, and in Northern Ireland.  The only existing outlet for SMC is land spreading.  It is likely that SMC as an energy source could only be used in conjunction with other fuels (co-firing with poultry litter, etc.).  The “practical” potential of SMC for energy is estimated to be approximately 0.2 PJ per annum.

The three resources considered in this study have useful but limited potential as sources of renewable bioenergy.  In specific geographical locations sufficient quantities of these feedstocks are available to enable some renewable electricity from biomass projects to be developed.

The report has been printed, and posted on the SEI web site from where it can be downloaded by interested parties.  Dissemination of the study outputs was also carried out through a workshop held on the 31st March 2004.  Outputs from the report have also informed the work of the Bioenergy Strategy Group, which has been established by the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resource.

For further information contact:

Pearse Buckley
Sustainable Energy Ireland
Glasnevin
Dublin 9

Tel:  01 8082540
e-mail:  pearse.buckley@sei.ie