The 13th OECD Rural Development Conference was held in Cavan, Ireland on 28-30 September 2022 under the theme "Building Sustainable, Resilient and Thriving Rural Places". These are the presentations from the Conference parallel session "Local Strategies for Sustainable Rural Energy Communities: Transforming Emission-Intensive Activities into Environmentally Friendly and Net-Zero Alternatives". For more information visit https://www.oecd.org/rural/rural-development-conference/.

1. Rialtas na
hÉireann OECD
OECD RURAL CONFERENCE September 28– 30th 2022 Slieve Russell Hotel, Co. Cavan
Workshop Sept. 29th 10.15 – 11.45

2. Comharchumann
Fuinnimh
Oileáin Árann
Teoranta
Dara Ó Maoildhia
Aran Islands Community
Energy Cooperative
CFOAT

3. THE
ARAN
ISLANDS
Population 1200

4. Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann
Aran Islands Energy Cooperative

5. Unique Limestone Landscape
Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann
Aran Islands Energy Cooperative

6. Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann
Aran Islands Energy Cooperative
RICH
CULTURE
AND
HERITAGE

7. History of Self-
Sufficiency
Aran Sweater Aran Currach
Aran Cottage Aran Food and Fertiliser

8. • The Curse of St Colmcille in the 6th century.
• Aran Islands totally dependent on imported fuel
• Higher Price on our islands for Oil, Coal, and Gas
Importing Turf in 1910 Importing Oil in 2022

9. IF WE
OWN OUR
OWN
CLEAN
ENERGY
We can control our energy prices
We will have a continuous stream of income
We can create jobs outside of tourism
We can improve infrastructure and services on the
islands
We can make the islands a more attractive place to
live and visit.

10. Why Did We Start
The Co-op?
• Future Energy Security of the Islands
• Future Economic Security of the Islands
• Protect Unique Environment
• Protect Language and Culture
• Protect Heritage and Island Traditions
• Community Self-Determination
Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann
Aran Islands Energy Cooperative

11. CO-OP
STRUCTURE
Community Co-operative
Non-Profit
One Share Per Member €100
Share is for Life
Membership Open Only To Residents of 3 Aran
Islands
Encouraging all residents to become members

12. Steps to achieving our ambitions
To reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and
decrease our carbon footprint:
 Retrofittingof older Housing Stock
 Electrificationof Transport & Heat
 Generationof Renewable Energy
Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann
Aran Islands Energy Cooperative

13. PROGRESS TO DATE
• 300 of total 500 homes have had some retrofit done (60%)
• 20 out of 200 cars are now fully electric (10%)
• 70 buildings now have Photovoltaic panels (Approx. 160 Kw)
• 50 buildings now have Heat Pumps (10%)
Heat Pumps Solar PV Electric Car

14. Fossil Fuel
Reduction
Steady
decrease since
2012
Imports are
easily
monitored

15. Energy Generation Plans
Early stages of public consultation for a wind turbine on
the Aran Islands. Very positive support so far.
Considering
Onshore Wind
Offshore Wind
Solar
Wave
Hydrogen
Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann
Aran Islands Energy Cooperative

16. Completed & Ongoing Projects
DEMAND RESPONSE Solution - SMART METERING IN HOMES
HYDROGEN FUEL FOR ISLANDS IN EUROPE
GEOTHERMAL RETROFIT RESEARCH AND INSTALLATION
COMMUNITY VIRTUAL POWER PLANT
Community Power utility
DATA CELLAR
Creating A Public Energy Dataspace
PILOT MICRO-GRID ON ARAN
LEAP Creating Local Energy Agencies
O4DCP Offshore For Direct Citizen Participation
Innovation and Experimentation in the Energy Transition

17. Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann Teoranta
CFOAT
Aran Islands Renewable Energy Ltd
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ON OUR WEBSITE
www.aranislandsenergycoop.ie
Contact me directly
Dara Ó Maoildhia
+353–87 2795 642
dara@aranislandsenergycoop.ie