
Alternative Energy in Ireland
The Irish are currently pursuing energy independence and the further growth of their robust economy through the execution of research and development into alternative energy sources. At the time of this writing, nearly 90% of Ireland's energy needs are met through importation— the very best of foreign product dependence in the nation's entire history. This is a very precarious predicament to be in, and the need for developing substitute energy sources in Ireland is sharply perceived. Ireland also seeks to conserve and regenerate its naturally beautiful environment and to clean up its atmosphere through the implementation of secondary energy supplies. The European Union has mandated a reduction in sulphuric and nitric oxide emissions for all member nations. Green energy is required to meet these objectives. Hydroelectric power has been utilized in Ireland in some areas since the 1930s and has been very efficient; still, more of it must be installed. Ireland also needs to harness the wave power of the Atlantic Ocean, which on its west coast is a potential energy supply that the nation has in great outlet.
Ireland actually has the possibility to become an energy exporter, instead of a country so heavily contingent upon energy importation. This energy potential lives in Ireland's substantial wind, ocean wave, and biomass-producing alternative energy potentials. Ireland could become a supplier of ocean wave-produced electricity and biomass-fueled energy to continental Europe and, as they say, "make a killing". At this moment, Ireland is most closely focused on reaching the stage where it can produce 15% of the nation's electricity through wind farms, which the government has set as a national objective to be arrived at the country by 2010. But universities, research institutes, and government personnel in Ireland have been saying that the increase in ocean wave energy technology would be a true ambition for the nation's economy and one which would greatly help to make Ireland energy independent. A test site for developing wave ocean energy has been established in Ireland, less than two miles off the coast of An Spideal in County Galway Bay. This experimental ocean wave harnessing site is recognized as "Wavebob". The most energetic waves internationally are found off the West coast of Ireland, says Ireland's Marine Institute chief executive officer Dr. Peter Heffernan. The technology to harness the power of the ocean is only just emerging and Ireland has the chance to become a market leader in this sector. David Taylor, CEO of the Supportable Energy Initiative,or SEI, tells us that SEI is committed to innovation in the renewable energy sector. Wave energy is a promising new renewable energy resource which may one day make a significant contribution to Ireland's electricity generation mix thereby further reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Padraig Walshe, the president of the Irish Farmers Association, informs us that with the closure of the sugar beet industry, an increasing sum of Irish land resources will become available for alternative uses, including bioenergy production. Today, renewable energy sources meet only 2% of Ireland's total energy consumption. From a farming perspective, growing energy crops will only have a viable future if they supply an economic return on investment and labour, and if the outlook of this return is secure into the future. Currently the return from energy crops is marginal and is hampering the increase in the industry. Biomass energies must be further researched by Ireland.
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