Feasibility study to examine Birr green energy project

Birr 2020 group has signalled its intention to undertake a feasibility study into the provision of green energy by anaerobic digestion (AD).

According to Teagasc, anaerobic digestion generally works when manure and other possible biomass feedstocks are inserted into a large, sealed airless container, and in this oxygen-free environment, bacteria will produce biogas.

In most digesters, the contents will be heated to accelerate the process. The produced biogas can be used to generate heat or electricity or both.

Having successfully secured funding from the Just Transition Fund, the Birr 2020 group is now looking for a multidisciplinary team to carry out the research with tenders due in by February 5 next.

There are two key areas of focus for the study, according to the recently published tender documents, and these include providing an income-earning opportunity for part-time farmers being made redundant by Bord na Mona, as well as other interested farmers, through the growing of bio-energy crops.

The second is what's described as re-orientating of energy use from fossil fuels and carbon-creating sources to green energy sources in the Birr area, with in the first instance, public buildings in Birr being used.

Among the subjects to be covered in the report includes cost/benefit analysis of each AD system in the context of the needs/demand for each in the Birr Municipal District area, along with analysis of the key sources of raw material for use in AD and the greenhouse gas emissions involved in each stage of the process, from harvesting of raw materials to use of end product.

A project reference group (PRG) has been established to oversee the project, and their role is to oversee the feasibility study, to collaborate with a second reference group relating to a course in bioenergy crops in nearby Gurteen Agricultural College. The group will also propose how the recommendations of the study will be implemented in the future.

The study is due to be completed in four months with a final report delivered in the first week of July, and an interim report in the last week of May.