IRISH UP THE NEW ENERGY

Ireland emitted 601 grams of CO2 /kilowatt-hour of energy use in 2006, down 5.6% from 2005. What else would you expect from the original green folks of the Emerald Isle?

Al Gore spoke in Dublin recently and described Ireland’s role as “key.” The small nation is an emerging European tech power.

The dilemma: As Ireland becomes more prosperous, more people own cars and the cars consume more energy and create more emissions. On the other hand, Wind is booming in Ireland.

Solution: Build more wind and sell plug-in hybrid electric cars. Run them on Irish breezes.

Irish renewable energy use up 15%
Ben Meggeson, 17 December 2007 (Environmental Data Interactive Exchange)
and
Ireland’s Energy Use and Related CO2 Emissions Show Small Increase in 2006
13 December 2007 (Sustainable Energy Ireland)

WHO
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), David Taylor, CEO

WHAT
Energy in Ireland 1990-2006 reports Ireland’s energy use up 15% over the period and up 1% in 2006. 2006 emissions were down 1.8%

click to enlarge

WHEN
- The statistics covered the 1990 to 2006 period but many of the most interesting findings were from the current year’s changes.
- 2006: Private car ownership was up 4.5%
- 1990 to 2006: Private car ownership was up 54%

WHERE
The report looked at Ireland’s performance by sector. All sectors except transport (up 7.1%) had reduced emissions. Transport sector energy use grew 167% from 1990 to 2006.

WHY
- Wind energy use jumped 46% and is now 5% of Ireland’s total electricity generation. This cut CO2 emissions by 2.2 tonnes.
- The industry sector had 0.6% higher emissions but efficiency was up 15% since the mid-1990s.
- Transport accounts for 35% of Ireland’s energy-related emissions.

From the report. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: “These statistics show us that reductions in energy-related carbon emissions are possible; that through concerted action by all sectors we can achieve our Programme for Government targets. Transport remains, however, an increasing area of energy use. Even without the spectre of climate change, we will have to alter how we travel and how we fuel that travel. With oil at record prices and the peak in global oil production on its way, we will have to change our ways. Inaction is not an option.”
- David Taylor, Chief Executive, SEI: “Embracing green sustainable energy is fundamental to Ireland’s economic development. The growth of transport related CO2 emissions is of clear concern and the initiatives taken by Government in last week’s Budget are an important step in addressing overall emissions targets…It should also be noted that Ireland is dependent on the international automotive industry to deliver energy efficiency gains through technology advancements, while at the consumer level well informed, transport use and purchase decisions are vitally important if we are to realise the benefits of these technological advances. Also of note is Ireland’s high dependency on oil which at 56% of total energy use should be of considerable concern and reinforce the requirement for continued investment in renewable energy.”