Why are renewable energies important?
The use of renewable energy is growing annually - this is due to environmental and security of supply issues.
The world currently gets its energy from the burning of fossil fuels. These are responsible for the release of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compounds(VOCs). These contribute to acid rain, photochemical smogs, and the greenhous effect which causes global warming.
Renewable energy is a clean green way of producing electricity without the harmful by-products.
The second issue is security of supply. In Ireland we import almost 90% of our energy needs. As has happened in the recent and distant past oil and gas prices are prone to flucation and dramatic price increase.
Wind Energy
Mayo has an excellent wind energy resurce. Ireland's first commerical wind farm was built in Bellacorrick Co. Mayo in 1992. The wind farm consists of 21 turbines with a total installed capacity of 6.45MW, and produces enough electricity to supply 4,500 households. There are further wind farm developments for the County in the pipeline. Deregulation of the Irish electricity market has opened up new oppurtuinites and now "green " electricity produced can be sold directly to consumers .
Hydro Energy
Utilising the energy of our rivers and streams is one of the oldest forms of power generation. Using turbines the power of flowing water can be used to produce electricity. To-day hydropower supplies almost 20% of world electricity . Mayo has an extensive hydro resource only a small fraction of which is currently utilised.
Biomass Energy
Because they are regenerated through natural cycles, agricultural waste, wood from conventional forestry, short rotation coppiced willow etc. can be regarded as Renewable Resources. They contain carbon and so by various methods can be used as alternatives to fossil fuels to produce heat or electricity.
By various methods these sources can be used to produce heat or electricity and can be linked to farming and improve sustainable development. Of all the renewable technologies bioenergy has the greatest potential for long term job creation.
Solar Energy
Solar energy can be utilsed to produce either electricity or heat. In Ireland its most useful application is in the production of hot water. A solar panel can be mounted the south facing roof and be plumbed into your exisiting hot water cylinder.
Solar water heating systems typically have a pay back period (the length of time need to produce energy to the value of the cost of installation) of between five to eight years.