Waterford Energy Bureau Submission to Draft National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 - FEBRUARY 22, 2019 - Document subtitle
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Waterford Energy Bureau Submission to Draft
National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030
[Document subtitle]
FEBRUARY 22, 2019
LIAM FLEMING
[Company address]Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Waterford Energy Bureau’s Submission ..................................................................................... 2
2.1 Community Projects ................................................................................................................ 2
2.4 Caro Offices ............................................................................................................................. 2
2.3 Housing ................................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Transport................................................................................................................................. 3
2.5 Electrical Generation & Infrastructure.................................................................................... 3
2.6 Heat Energy ............................................................................................................................. 3
1. Introduction
Waterford Energy Bureau (WEB) is the Local Energy agency for Waterford City and County and is
sub-section of the Waterford City and County Council Environment Department. WEB’s role follows
that of the model for Local Energy Agencies, whose creation has been funded by the EU. There are
400 Local Energy Agencies located throughout the EU and approximately 10 operational in Ireland
under a range of different structures. WEB’s role includes:
LA Energy Management.
Renewable energy / energy efficiency projects for WCCC and the community of Waterford.
Energy Policy development.
Source funding for RE / EE projects in Waterford.
Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation Projects.
12. Waterford Energy Bureau’s Submission
WEB’s submission is included under a range of the following headings:
2.1 Community Projects
WEB proposes the allocation of a funding resource direct to Local Authorities in the form of a
Climate Change Adaptation / Mitigation fund, that is funded centrally through the Department of
Communications, Climate Action and Environment. This fund can be used for Climate Change
Adaptation Projects within LA areas of influence and for Climate Change mitigation projects. LA’s
have a good record in delivering adaptation and mitigation projects. A resent City and County
Managers survey of climate change energy efficiency / renewable energy projects highlight the level
of projects delivered by Local Authorities, it is recognised that some LA’s have performed better than
others and in particular LA’s that have an attachment to an energy agency. It is noted that the
allocation of funding to LA’s via the SEAI programmes have had mixed results with the SEAI “Better
Energy Communities Scheme”, being structured for delivery by private third parties rather than LA’s
who have a constant direct link with communities. There is a direct role for LA’s in delivering
projects that contribute to a low carbon economy within their locality and areas of influence. The
allocation of funding under the 1st phase of the Climate Action fund was disappointing as the state
utilities were favoured, who have a mixed record in delivering energy efficiency and renewable
energy / carbon mitigation projects.
2.4 Caro Offices
WEB is supportive of the Climate Action Regional Offices (CARO) and propose that funding for
adaptation and mitigation projects could be channelled through the Caro offices directly and on to
LA’s for suitable projects.
2.3 Housing
It is proposed to merger the Department of Housing and Local Government and the SEAI housing
upgrades scheme. As both schemes now perform rather similar upgrades, it is recognised that the
Department Scheme includes insulation upgrades and the SEAI schemes includes insulation,
window/door and heating upgrades also. The investment in deep energy efficiency measures up to
an A3 energy rating represents significant value for money and would result in housing units
upgraded only requiring minor upgrade measures such as PV installations to comply with 2050
targets. There is significant resources required to upgrade housing units on a phased basis which
makes a deep retro fit scheme has a better resource value. There are also significant economies of
scale in retro fitting multiple housing units as part of an annual program which could be adopted and
implemented over a ten year period. This would provide contractors and suppliers confidence in the
retro fit market and would invest in new technology and upskill of construction personnel.
2The implementation of the NZEB Standards now makes it unviable to install and sustain a second
energy utility in the form of natural gas to a housing unit. The low energy consumption within NZEB
compliant housing units and the standing charges for a gas service makes gas an expensive option
per KWh consumed for housing units. The energy requirement for a house should be provided
exclusively from an electrical source via an air-water heat pump or wood pellet boilers. Any domestic
gas boiler installation are likely to be replaced within the next 10 years by heat pumps, this will be
partially due to depleting gas resources, as a means of meeting national housing upgrade energy
efficiency targets and a means of meeting health and safety requirements where gas will no longer
be an accepted utility within housing units due to its toxic risk.
2.2 Transport
The role out electrical vehicles charging points need to proceed with immediate effect, in particular
at rural town and villages many of which are a significant distance from a charging point. There may
be a role for Local Authorities for installing charging in rural areas as LA owned car parks. The
installation and management cost of such infrastructure which would be significant but would a
practical solution to the absence of charging points which, ESB Networks and E-Cars have not full
embraced. There is a significant absence of EV charging points in West Waterford. Having the state
electrical utility advertising the fact of achieving success in installing electrical vehicle charging points
in Coventry UK makes one query the role and management of the state electrical utility company
who are not delivering and maintaining such infrastructure in a credible manner in Ireland.
There is a significant requirement to increase the decarbonising of the electrical generation
infrastructure as currently EV vehicles are having a negative impact on the environment when
compared against the most efficient diesel and petrol hybrid vehicles. The closure of Moneypoint
generation plant and the non usage of peat in power generation and increased penetration of
renewable technologies will all contribute to making EV’s a low carbon transport solution.
2.5 Electrical Generation & Infrastructure
The adaption of a range of renewable energy technologies needs to follow best engineering practice
and RE technology needs to be utilised at strategic locations and distributed throughout Ireland,
which is close to the RE resource. The security of electrical energy generated and non-condition
specific from biomass in particular needs to be considered and rewarded during the auction process.
The role-out of smart meters is supported however the meters will have catered for the exporting of
electricity to the grid from on-site micro generation and be structured so that all utility companies
can offer power purchase agreements to customers that have smart meters installed.
2.6 Heat Energy
The banning of the sale of solid fuel primary heating systems (except wood pellet) including back
boilers for central heating should be banned. Oil and bottled gas for homes and buildings should be
phased out within the next three years and natural gas for non-domestic buildings should be phased
out. Resources need to be allocated for the promotion of the bio-energy and heat pump installation
schemes.
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