Minister Ryan announces incentives for micro-generation

Minister Ryan announces incentives for micro-generation

Farmers and householders to sell excess electricity back to national grid

First 4,000 will get guaranteed price of 19 cent a kWh

Plan will boost rural economy and reduce electricity costs

Dublin , 26th February 2009

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced measures to encourage the on-site generation of electricity in homes and farms across  Ireland .

Among the measures is a guaranteed price of 19 cent per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. This competitive feed-in tariff will apply to the first 4,000 micro-generation installations countrywide over the next three years. Eligible installations include small scale wind, photovoltaic, hydro and combined heat and power.

Traditionally, the electricity network was designed to accommodate the flow of electricity from large centralised plants to customers dispersed throughout the country. Micro-generation at local level now introduces two-way flows to the electricity system. Local generators will have the ability to be paid by the ESB for electricity that is surplus to their own requirements and export it back to the national grid.

The new support price is being introduced along with a number of other measures in the Government's micro-generation programme including:

* Connection:

An "Inform and Fit" connection policy to be introduced by ESB Networks to reduce the length of time and complexity of the connection process. Sustainable Energy Ireland also has clear information explaining the connection process.

* Grant assistance for R & D:

This pilot study includes grant assistance for 40% of the cost of 50 trial units (of up to 50kW) countrywide. Applications are being accepted by Sustainable Energy Ireland .

* Planning exemptions:

The Department of Environment has made small scale generation from low-carbon sources exempt from planning permission. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will continue to work with the Department of Environment on planning issues surrounding renewable energy installations.

Announcing the programme Minister Ryan said, "We are changing the rules and changing the nature of electricity generation in Ireland .

Before, you received your power from a central source and paid for it. Now you can generate for yourself and be paid for the excess you don't use.

This type of on-site electricity generation will boost the rural economy. It will put more money into consumers' pockets. This type of long-term investment with a guaranteed return, represents the best value for spending and lending.

All our farms and houses can be micro-generators. We can use our abundant natural resources to bolster the economy, create green-collar jobs and reduce carbon emissions at the same time.

Every year, we send €6 billion out of this country on fossil fuels. This type of generation will help reduce this dependence and this outflow of money. We do not want to be dependent on Russia :country-region or Saudi Arabia for our energy needs; we can supply our own."

ENDS

For further information:

Customers interested in installing microgeneration technologies and with technical queries contact ESB Networks at 1850 372 757. Further detail will be available from ESB Customer Supply https://www.esb.ie/esbcustomersupply/residential/ shortly

Those interested in the small and micro-scale pilot field trials, contact:  SEI at 01 8369080; www.sei.ie/grants/microgenpilot or email microgen@sei.ie

Customer Connection guide for micro generation are available at http://www.sei.ie/Publications/Renewables_Publications/consumer_microgen_brochure.pdf   and www.esb.ie/esbnetworks

A full guide to connecting renewable and CHP electricity generators of all sizes to the network is available at: http://www.sei.ie/Publications/Renewables_Publications/connecting_RE_and_chp_to_network.pdf

Note for editors:

The export price will be available for up to 4000 micro generation units for a period three years. This suite of measures will then inform the development of a long-term micro generation programme.

ESB Customer Supply and ESB Networks will contribute 9 cents and 10 cents respectively towards this tariff. Domestic electricity users registered with ESB will receive a full tariff of 19c/kWh within limits set out above. Non-ESB customers will receive a 10c/kWh tariff for any excess electricity sold back to the grid.

 

NCT Consultation opportunity

23 February 2009

Cuffe welcomes proposals to end noise nuisance from modified cars

Green Party Transport spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD has welcomed proposals by the Road Safety Authority to tackle noisy modified cars through the National Car Test (NCT).

Deputy Cuffe said: "I'm pleased to see the issue of noise pollution from car exhausts being addressed. I've spoken to many people suffering from sleepless nights because of noisy modified cars using roads near their homes. These proposals should go some way to reducing the stress caused by this noise nuisance.

"The Government is currently preparing wide-ranging noise pollution legislation that will comprehensively address other noise problems such as car alarms and construction noise."

 

Under proposals released by Road Safety Authority today, a suggestion has been put forward to check car exhaust sound levels during the NCT. The RSA states: 'The nuisance caused by excessive noise from vehicle exhausts is regularly the subject of comments and complaints received by the RSA.  A new test is proposed at NCT whereby sound levels will be checked in order to ensure acceptable sound levels are not exceeded.'

The RSA is currently seeking car owners' views on new items that may be added to the National Car Test including regulating tinted windows, improving tyre standards and compulsory annual testing for cars over ten years old. The public have until 27 March 2009 to have their views heard. Full details are available on the RSA website http://www.rsa.ie/NEWS/News/NCT_Consultation.html.

 

Social Economy recognised by European Parliament

This was just forwarded to me by Jose Ospina who has been on the CEF
committee in the past...

Dear Colleagues,

Further to our discussions on the definition and role of social
economy enterprises, you will no doubt be pleased to know that these
bodies have been officially recognised and given status by the
European Parliament in the recent Report passed by an overwhelming
majority of the EP.

This will no doubt make a difference to the role of the sector in future.

Kind regards

José Ospina

Carbery Housing Association

Tel 028 21890

Mobile 086 8224429

Dear members,

We are very glad that the Report on Social Economy introduced by MEP
Patrizia Toia was approved by the European Parliament with 580 votes
in favour, 22 against and 44 abstentions.

This large majority is a clear sign of the interest the European
Parliament takes in social economy.

>We are particularly happy to see that the proposals from REVES to >insert a strong and clear reference to the partnership with local authorities and the territorial dimension of social economy (see points 27, 37, 41 and 45) were retained.

This is due to the credibility we have gained during the years,
through Our common work since the creation of REVES in 1996.

We also want to thank the highly professional actions carried out by
the Brussels secretariat as well as the personal commitment of
Councillor Viviana Apolone in contacts with Mrs Toia.

Jan Olsson and Philippe Chesneau

Co-Presidents of REVES

Luigi Martignetti

Secretary General

Update on oil spill

This update is from the Department of Transport (lead department for the Coastguard).


17 Feb 09 : 19.02


This Press Release follows an update earlier this afternoon, from the Department of Transport regarding an oil pollution incident off Fastnet Rock.



* Further overflights of the pollution site took place today .

* The latest estimate this evening, is of 522 tonnes of fuel oil spreading out in a three distinct slicks that are now 39 miles south of the Old Head of Kinsale.

* The slick is breaking up, thinning and is naturally reducing and spreading over a larger area and moving eastwards paralleling the coast 30 - 40 miles off.

* LE Aisling and HMS Gloucester have taken samples of the oil from the scene, which were collected by the Coast Guard Helicopter and brought to Waterford for onward dispatch for testing by a specialist laboratory in Scotland.

* The Coast Guard contracted an Irish Shannon-based tug MV Celtic Isle this afternoon to proceed to the spill at 19:30 this evening and evaluate the efficacy of mechanical recovery at sea.

* The Coast Guard have also put EMSA's oil recovery vessel MT Galway Fisher on standby and recovery equipment will be loaded onboard in Cork. This vessel will be deployed dependant on the outcome of the trials by the tug, Celtic Isle, tomorrow.

* The Coast Guard has convened an inter-Governmental Group to monitor and advise on the current situation and potential impact to the coastline and marine environment.

* Physical recovery of pollution ashore is based on mechanical and manual recovery. This involves the use of specialist equipment, such as skimmers and bulldozers to clear heavy pollutant. Local authority personnel carry this out under the coordination of the Coast Guard.

* All local authorities should have oil pollution response plans.

* At this point it is too early to accurately predict what volumes may come ashore and therefore what environmental, commercial and visual impact is involved.

ENDS




17 Feb 09 : 13.32

Coastguard Press Release

Oil Spill fifty miles south of Fastnet

17 February 2009

The Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Dublin on Saturday 14 th of Feb received a satellite surveillance pollution report from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in Lisbon which is a specialist Agency of the EU. MRCC Dublin tasked an Air Corps Casa aircraft to investigate the report. Aerial surveillance from the Casa and the Coast Guard helicopter based in Waterford confirmed an oil spill covering approximately 4.5km x 5 km surrounding a Russian aircraft carrier and a refuelling tanker.

The Russian Naval Attaché confirmed on Monday 16 th that the carrier had been carrying out a fuel transfer at sea operation (called bunkering) from a Russian supply tanker at sea. The Attaché confirmed an internal investigation is being carried out into the cause of the incident and said that Russian aerial surveillance considered that approximately 300 tonnes of oil was on the sea surface but could not tell the Coast Guard how this happened or whether it was from their refuelling operations.

The aerial surveillance flights carried out by the UK Coastguard have indicated that in their opinion, using various specialist sensors onboard their aircraft indicate that the spill is up to 1000 tonnes of fuel oil. Estimates of oil quantity in water are highly difficult to estimate, as slick thickness can be variable over the length of the slick and therefore difficult to accurately gauge. Today’s over flight by the specialist UK aircraft is expected to further refine this estimate.

Vessels on scene at the moment include two refuelling tankers, one aircraft carrier, one Russian ocean-going tug, one Russian destroyer, one British destroyer and Irish Naval vessel L.E. Aisling. It is believed the Russian Task Group may leave the area tomorrow having completed refuelling operations.

The Irish Coast Guard in conjunction with the U.K. Coastguard is carrying out aerial pollution surveillance flight over the area today. Samples of the oil have been taken from the scene and will be analysed.

The Russian Embassy has been requested to supply samples of the oils carried onboard the Russian tankers and the aircraft carrier and for oil characteristic data sheets. The Coast Guard continue to monitor the slick with its own Helicopters and Air Corps Casa. The Irish Coast Guard tasked the Naval Vessel Aisling, which is on scene.

The Coast Guard has contracted an Irish Cork-based tug to proceed to the spill and evaluate the efficacy of mechanical at sea recovery. Coast Guard pollution equipment is being transferred to Cork today for loading onboard and will commence recovery operations tomorrow.

Outlook

The slick is breaking up and is spreading over a larger area and moving eastwards paralleling the coast 30 - 40 miles off. The oil spill is forecast to continue to disperse and to break up. Weather forecast for the area show continuing light winds over the coming days. Coast Guard computer modelling of the spill show that some of the oil is expected to evaporate or dissolve into the water column.

The majority of the oil is expected to remain on the surface. The residual oil remaining is expected to develop into tar balls. Depending on weather conditions these may end up on the Irish South east coast in approximately 16 days time and also impact on the Welsh coastline. At this point it is too early to predict accurate volumes.

The Coast Guard is briefing various Government Departments and Agencies today to outline the current situation and potential impact to the coastline and marine environment.

Oil coming ashore on the South east coast will be recovered mechanically by local authorities with assistance from the Coast Guard who will oversee the operation.

Bike Flea Market

BIKE FLEA MARKET

Saturday 21^ST March 2009, from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm

Unitarian Church, Princes Street, Cork City

 

As part of its promotional scheme to encourage the use of sustainable transport, Cork City Council organises a Bike Flea Market. This market will be free and open to the public. It is dedicated to people who want to buy or to sell a second-hand bike and cycling accessories.

 

I am pleased to invite you to take part in the event by bringing second-hand bikes and accessories to sell.

 

To book a place for the Bike Flea Market, please contact Gaelle Croisier, 021-4924657, gaelle_croisier@corkcity.ie, before the 27^th February. Early booking is highly recommended as the Unitarian Church is a small venue.

 

The Bike Flea Market is organised by Cork City Council and supported by the Trendy Travel European project and Intelligent Energy Europe.

Free 'Cycle in the City' Training Courses

As part of its promotional scheme to encourage the use of sustainable
transport, Cork City Council is organising free "Cycle in the city"
training courses. Theses courses are dedicated to people who wish to
cycle more often but do not feel confident in traffic. They will be
provided by professional trainers.

Saturday 28th February - Sunday 1st March 2009

Fitzgerald Park

§ Saturday February 28th , from 11.00 am to 12.30 am

§ Saturday February 28th, from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm

§ Sunday March 1st, from 11.00 am to 12.30 am

§ Sunday March 1st, from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm

Each course will last 90 minutes and be composed of three workshops:

- Preparation: guidelines on safety, gears and accessories

- Training: exercises on cycling in traffic

- Practice: cycling insertion in traffic

To book a place for a free "Cycle in the city" training course, please
contact Cycle Sense by email info@cycle-sense.com before the 23rd of
February. Early booking is highly recommended as there are only eight
places per course. Please, feel free to forward this invitation to
every person who might be interested.

The Cycle in the City Training courses will take place at the back of
the Fitzgerald Park. Please note that you should bring your own bike.

Book launch: "Get Rid of Your Bin and Save Money"

Erstwhile friend of CEF, Feidhlim Harty, has just had a book
published, called "Get Rid of Your Bin and Save Money".

There will be a launch in Hughes and Hughes bookshop, Bank Place,
Ennis on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 at 6.30pm. If you are free and anywhere in
the neighbourhood drop in for an hour. <br /><br />

In bookshops now, and on his website: www.WetlandSystems.ie

"Get Rid of Your Bin - and Save Money"

Cork City Local Transport Plan

The following email arrived from City Council this morning. CEF were
very involved in workshops to prepare the draft plan and would
encourage all interested parties to be involved with the next round of
consultation on this important policy document.

'I am writing to thank you for your contribution during the
consultation process to develop a Local Transport Plan for Cork City
and to keep you up to date with its progress.

The Council is currently in the process of writing the plan and it is
proposed that the second stage of the consultation will occur during
the summer of 2009. The second stage of consultation will be based
around the draft plan. Please do bring the outcomes of the first
report along to you to the meetings for further discussion and debate
(Report sent to you before Christmas).

I am leaving the Council on Friday so any future correspondence should
be sent to Niamh O'Brien who will be dealing with the plan
(niamh_obrien@corkcity.ie - 021 7924792).

Best wishes

Gill Weyman'

KADE Develops Education Photopack

KADE Develops Education Photopack

 

KADE (Kerry Action For Development Education) launched Development Photopack Volume 1 at IT Tralee on Tuesday November 25th, 2008. "KADE is delighted and proud to be part of this partnership with IT Tralee" declared KADE chairperson, Seán Lyons. Gratefully acknowledging students' contribution to the work and their consciousness of inequalities in our society, he continued "Students have certainly put the action into development in Kerry."

 

Lisa McElligott, a lecturer from the Interactive Multimedia course at IT Tralee addressed the responsibility of those working in creative fields to devote a portion of their energies to socially-minded tasks.

 

The KADE Development Education Photopack, Volume 1 has been developed to explore different themes of development in Ireland. The pack consists of 70 photographs, all were captured in Ireland and reflect today's society. The Photopack has been produced with the assistance of the Institute of Technology, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

 

Groups explore areas of economic, political & cultural interest across a broad latitude of themes: Children - Conflict - Elderly - Enterprise - Family/ Relationships- Inner City - Leisure- Nature/ Landscape - Politics - Processes Of Justice - Religion - Rural - Urban/City -Unemployment - Traditional Culture - Women - Youth The Photopack is supplied in PDF format on CD-ROM and costs €20. The images can be printed and laminated for use.

For further information contact KADE:

T 066 718 1358

e info@kade.ie

 

KERRY ACTION FOR DEVELOPMENT

KADE exists to create, through education, an understanding of development issues relating to world poverty. We wish to promote, in particular, the concept that every citizen of Ireland is also a global citizen with a responsibility to support the people of less developed countries to achieve their potential. We seek, as part of this educational task, to spread a greater understanding and support for the measures necessary to achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals set by the U.N.

 

______________________________________________________________

 

Kerry Action for Development Education is the trading name of Kerry Action for Development Education Limited, a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. 

 

Charitable Status Number CHY 16592

 

Registered in Ireland Number 343914

Registered Office: 11 Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry

 

KADE has signed the Dochas Code of Conduct on Images & Messages

 

 

 

Upcoming Workshops at Nano Nagle Centre

 

Course Title:       Commercial Organic Horticulture Course

(National Organic Training Skillnet FETAC course)

 

Venue:                 Nano Nagle Centre, Ballygriffin, Mallow, Co Cork

 

Beginning Tuesday 24 February and running Tuesdays fortnightly for 10 days

 

Time:`   10.00am – 5.00pm

 

Cost:      €350 for 10 days (includes lunch),

FAS assistance to those in receipt of Social Welfare Payment.

 

Course Tutor:  Jason Horner, experienced grower from Co Clare. Jason has been selling his own organic produce and eggs at a Farmer's Market for the last 16 years.

 

Practical FETAC certificated course on growing and producing organic vegetables and fruit. The course is suitable for new entrants and those who wish to learn how to grow more efficiently and effectively, with a view to growing on a commercial basis.

 

Places are limited so please book early. Contact Nano Nagle Centre:  022 26411

 

Also:

 

Course Title:       Create A Living Willow Tunnel

 

Venue:                 Nano Nagle Centre, Ballygriffin, Mallow, Co Cork

 

Date:                     Saturday, March 7th

 

Time:`   10.00am – 4.00pm

 

Cost: 75 euros (includes lunch, tea, coffee and materials (willow available to bring home )

 

Tutor:    Experienced artist, grower and willow sculptress, Angela Nolan

 

You will learn how to build a basic living willow structure and in the process find out everything you ever wanted to know about willow:  growing,   weaving,   maintaining, etc

 

Please bring secateurs,  gloves   and   outdoor   gear  -  rain or shine, the workshop will go on so bring

appropriate clothing!