AgRE-Bio: Optimal integration of renewable energy systems & bioenergy production within the agricultural industry

Project Description

The Irish Government has targeted a climate neutral agri-sector by 2050. This target is challenging as the agrisector is Ireland’s largest GHG emitter (38.5% of national GHG emissions). While technologies such as solar PV will contribute towards on-farm renewable energy generation, they cannot reduce methane production, which is the largest GHG emitter on farms and accounts for 19% of Ireland’s total GHG emissions. The renewable technology with the greatest potential for reducing methane emissions is Anaerobic Digestion (AD). AD can capture emissions from slurry and silage and produce bioenergy and renewable fertiliser. A large-scale rollout of AD (integrated at farm, regional and national levels) will be required for Ireland to meet its climate targets. AgREBio will determine the best means of this rollout and what effects it will have on the agri-sector, rural economy, society and environment. Detailed production and energy data from farms will be used to accurately determine the extent of bioenergy generation that can be supplied by the agri-sector. This information will be used to identify sustainable scenarios for developing a farm-centric AD industry. Outputs will be used to inform policymakers, scientists and farmers regarding future strategies for AD on Irish farms to meet our climate targets.