1. Dissertation Abstract – A comparison of wind energy and biomass
for reaching Ireland’s renewable energy electricity target for 2020
This study compared two options for reaching Ireland’s renewable energy (RE)
electricity target for 2020: adding more wind energy; or converting Moneypoint power
station – Ireland’s largest coal-fired station and largest CO2 emitter – into a biomass
electricity plant. It was estimated that the options would have to add an extra 17% of
RE electricity to the grid by 2020 in order for Ireland to meet its 40% target. Using
the three criteria of emissions, costs, and energy security, it was found that the
additional wind strategy currently being implemented by the Irish government and
the government-owned grid network was by far the preferable of the two options.
Wind was found to be a relatively cheap, low-emitting, and secure indigenous
resource. The main risks associated with wind were linked to its intermittent nature
and dependence on natural gas for back up; but these risks were considered
manageable.
Biomass, on the other hand, was found to be costly, loss making, and hugely
insecure due to lack of indigenous supply and almost total dependence – at least
initially – on potentially insufficient foreign supply. Serious questions also emerged
regarding the sustainability of using forest-based biomass for electricity generation.
Ultimately, it was found that Ireland should continue to roll out extra wind capacity
but that the potential for using other complementary measures in the electricity
sector – including solar PV, biomethane from grass, and increased interconnection
with other electricity markets – should also be further explored.