Michael Pearson's presentation at Ireland's Energy Challenge seminar, Cashel, March 6th

1. Gurteen College 2009Gurteen College 2009
Electricity cost €60 000Electricity cost €60 000
Heating cost from Peat €60 000Heating cost from Peat €60 000
Projected cost from Oil €100 000Projected cost from Oil €100 000
College expanding and costs risingCollege expanding and costs rising

2. Electricity SolutionsElectricity Solutions
 Use Less where Possible!Use Less where Possible!
 Lighting changed for energy efficientLighting changed for energy efficient
 Bulbs removedBulbs removed
 Installed 50kwWind TurbineInstalled 50kwWind Turbine
 Produces 80 000kw annuallyProduces 80 000kw annually
 All used – Nothing to GridAll used – Nothing to Grid
 Cost - €200 000 less grant of €60 000Cost - €200 000 less grant of €60 000
 Payback 10 yearsPayback 10 years

3. Heat SolutionsHeat Solutions
 Insulate, Insulate, Insulate!!!Insulate, Insulate, Insulate!!!
 Energy Efficient BoilersEnergy Efficient Boilers
 Control Heat EverywhereControl Heat Everywhere
 Find fuel at a sustainable price long termFind fuel at a sustainable price long term

4. Gurteen Heat SolutionsGurteen Heat Solutions
 Install two 300kw KWB biomass boilers toInstall two 300kw KWB biomass boilers to
supply heatsupply heat
 Install computer control system for each of 30Install computer control system for each of 30
heat circuits and 5 hot water systemsheat circuits and 5 hot water systems
 Plant 32 ha (80 acres) of willow biomass toPlant 32 ha (80 acres) of willow biomass to
supply total energy needsupply total energy need
 Insulate where economically possibleInsulate where economically possible

5. Money!!!Money!!!
 Total project cost was €500 000 with grants ofTotal project cost was €500 000 with grants of
half this. Net cost €250 000half this. Net cost €250 000
 Heating cost now €20 000 per annum, a savingHeating cost now €20 000 per annum, a saving
of €80 000 over oil.of €80 000 over oil.
 Payback period? 3 to 5 yearsPayback period? 3 to 5 years
 Boiler alone cost €200 000 and bought chipBoiler alone cost €200 000 and bought chip
would cost €40 000pa, saving €60 000would cost €40 000pa, saving €60 000

6. Willow Biomass economicsWillow Biomass economics
 Planting cost of €1000 per acre with grant ofPlanting cost of €1000 per acre with grant of
€500. Net cost €500 per acre€500. Net cost €500 per acre
 Annual production of 8 tonnes wet chip per acreAnnual production of 8 tonnes wet chip per acre
per year at a value of €40 per tonne at 55%per year at a value of €40 per tonne at 55%
moisture. Harvest every 3 yearsmoisture. Harvest every 3 years
 Harvest cost €160 per acreHarvest cost €160 per acre
 Return per 3 years is 8x3x40 =960 – 160 =800Return per 3 years is 8x3x40 =960 – 160 =800
 Return per year 800/3=€267/acre =€660/haReturn per year 800/3=€267/acre =€660/ha

7. Willow Biomass economicsWillow Biomass economics
 Planting cost of €1000 per acre with grant ofPlanting cost of €1000 per acre with grant of
€500. Net cost €500 per acre€500. Net cost €500 per acre
 Annual production of 8 tonnes wet chip per acreAnnual production of 8 tonnes wet chip per acre
per year at a value of €40 per tonne at 55%per year at a value of €40 per tonne at 55%
moisture. Harvest every 3 yearsmoisture. Harvest every 3 years
 Harvest cost €160 per acreHarvest cost €160 per acre
 Return per 3 years is 8x3x40 =960 – 160 =800Return per 3 years is 8x3x40 =960 – 160 =800
 Return per year 800/3=€267/acre =€660/haReturn per year 800/3=€267/acre =€660/ha