Rural Renewables Seminar Generates Discussion

24/10/2011

The Rural Network for Northern Ireland held a very well attended seminar focusing on ‘Rural Renewables’ on October 20th.  The event was held in South West College, Omagh.

The proposal for a focused Renewable Energy event arose as many of the Local Action Groups are now open for applications for Renewable Energy projects under the Rural Life measures of the Rural Development Programme.
 
The seminar brought together specialists from Northern Ireland Electricity, which has responsibility for the electricity network in Northern Ireland, and  Power NI, which purchases exported electricity and Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) from customers, and expert lecturers from South West College Innotech Centre, a perceived Centre of Excellence on Renewable Energy, who gave presentations on Wind, Hydro and Solar technologies.

The seminar began with an introduction from Stuart Morrow on Wind Turbines. Stuart, a lecturer in Technology and Engineering specialising in wind and hydrogen power, is also involved in researching, designing and product testing both domestic and industrial wind turbines and hydrogen systems. Stuart was followed by his colleague Neil Freeburn who discussed Hydro Technologies. Neil, an Industrial Technology and Training Associate with the InnoTech Centre Sustainability team, has undertaken extensive research into the feasibility and application of Water Turbine Technology in Northern Ireland. Mark McGuigan, a full-time lecturer in the Technology Department of South West College then presented on Solar Technologies. Mark specialises in Renewable Energy Applications, particularly Biomass and Wind Turbine Technology.

NIE representatives Sinead Ferris and Stephen Thompson then spoke on Grid Connections while Power NI staff Gwyneth Compston and Catriona Butcher gave an overview of Options on Selling Electricity and the Generation Tariff.

All speakers, joined by Gerard O’ Neill of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, then sat on a panel which took questions from the floor.

To view the presentations please click here.

View Factsheet No 9 focusing on Renewable Energy

Send To A Friend »