‘SMALLEST’ (Solutions for Microgeneration that ALLow Energy Saving Technologies) is a European funded Interreg project offering free professional advice, training and support services to rural communities interested in undertaking renewable energy projects. The project runs until June 2012 across all Northern Periphery Programme (NPP) partner regions including; Northern Ireland, Finland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the Shetland Islands, Scotland and Sweden.

UCDL is currently participating in the ‘SMALLEST’ project which is run locally by Action Renewables and the University of Ulster (Coleraine). Together these organisations are helping UCDL to further develop their hydro-electric generation scheme, which has been running since 1999 and is one of a few community businesses which generate revenues in such a novel way. The money generated has also been used for social benefit including the creation of a community centre, business and retail units, a post office. In addition UCDL acts as a conduit for a range of government services aimed at those most at risk within the Upperlands community and have been able to set up a health and wellbeing club for senior citizens.

UCDL director, Eric Glasgow comments, “The ‘SMALLEST’ project has been great for us and has given us the opportunity to work with Action Renewables and the University of Ulster. They are helping us to develop our hydro-electric scheme by exploring the benefits of upgrading and improving the efficiency of our existing turbine and the feasibility of installing a second turbine. As a community we are committed to using renewable energy and we are confident that our hydro-electric project can produce much greater revenues which together with our rental earnings, can provide a very significant financial resource for the Upperlands community.

Terry Waugh, Deputy Director, Action Renewables adds: “The UCDL hydro-electric generation scheme was chosen to showcase to representatives from our ‘SMALLEST’ project partner regions because it is a good example of how a local rural community has significantly benefited from the implementation of renewable energy. We are delighted to be working with UCDL to give them guidance and assistance. In the past, organisations in rural communities have found it difficult to find the help needed to implement renewable energy generation projects but the ‘SMALLEST’ project is addressing these issues and providing training to help make renewable energy solutions more accessible to all parts of the community – no matter how remote” adds Terry.

As part of their trip to Northern Ireland the ‘SMALLEST’ project partners also visited Orchard Acre Farm in Irvinestown which has installed biomass and SWH systems and the combined heat and power (CHP) plant at Balcas in Enniskillen, which is used to manufacture ‘brites’ wood pellets.

For a full list of the award categories, click here. Entry to the awards has now closed.

The awards will take place in the new Titanic Belfast attraction on Tuesday 20^th March, 2012, one of a series of familiarisation events taking place ahead of the official opening on 31^st March, 2012. This has been agreed due to the environmental and sustainable nature of the awards which compliments the ethos of the new building. As part of the event guests will be given a personalised guided tour of the building’s green credentials, as well as the opportunity to meet and speak to the designer of the building Angus Waddington of Todd Architects and enjoy a 4 course lunch.

Action Renewables is offering an early bird ticket offer: book before 22nd December 2011 and receive 20% discount. Normal ticket price £55.00. Email awards@actionrenewables.co.uk for further information or click here for a booking form. 

Nine prestigious awards are up for grabs including: Best Energy Saving SME (sponsored by ESB IE Electric Ireland); Most Innovative Construction Project (sponsored by The Ardminnan Group); Most Innovative Renewables Installation (sponsored by Dimplex Renewables); Most Sustainable Travel Plan implemented by SME (sponsored by Travelwise NI); Renewable Energy Awareness Award (Best School) (sponsored by RES); Best Training Provider (sponsored by SummitSkills); Best Community Project (sponsored by brites); Best Planner: Renewable Energy Project (sponsored by Advent Wind), and Tughans will be presenting the Action Renewables Award for Outstanding Work in the Renewable Energy Sector in Northern Ireland.

Companies are required to submit their entries by 5 pm on Monday 30th January 2012 after which the experts at Action Renewables will shortlist the finalists along with judges Norman Aspley, CEO of Northern Ireland Science Park, Linda Stewart Environmental Correspondent at the Belfast Telegraph, and Dr Geraint Ellis and Dr Stephen McKay both Senior Lecturers at the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering in Queens University, Belfast.

Speaking at the launch Michael Doran, Director, Action Renewables said; “The Action Renewables Association Awards rewards exceptional projects and those people who are showing their commitment to the renewable energy and sustainability initiatives locally. The awards have grown from strength to strength each year, which demonstrates the dedication from local businesses to the development of the ‘green’ industry in Northern Ireland.

Andrew Ryan, Partner and Head of Energy, Environment and Planning at Tughans added: “Tughans is actively involved in the Renewable Energy sector, advising businesses on issues including funding and financial incentives for renewables projects, planning applications and consents for new installations and commercial agreements for start-up technology companies. These awards therefore provide an ideal opportunity for us to show our support to local companies that are showcasing excellence within the fast moving ‘green’ sector.

Andy Bready of DRD Travelwise NI added: “We are delighted to be supporting the Action Renewables Awards which recognise the measures that local companies are taking to reduce their negative effect on the environment. Travelwise works with businesses all around NI to help reduce over-dependence on the car for both commuter and business travel through its Workplace Travel Plans, supporting employers in encouraging sustainable travel alternatives to help relieve congestion, improve the environment and improve the health and wellbeing of staff. We hope that these awards will not only reward the excellence and innovation already existing in the public and private sectors, but also appeal to new companies to promote sustainable modes of transport.

Mr McAllister, from Fairview Primary School, Ballyclare, scooped the top prize in the Northern Ireland-wide search for the primary school teacher who showed most leadership and took most responsibility for the environment. Second prize was rewarded to Mr Black from Phoenix Integrated Primary School in Cookstown. Two Belfast schools reached the final stage with Mrs Phoenix from St Colman’s Primary School claiming third prize and Mr Moran from Holy Child Primary School receiving the runner-up award.

The unique competition, sponsored by Belfast Harbour and organised through Action Renewables, called on primary school pupils across Northern Ireland to help find the region’s ‘greenest teacher’ by nominating their teacher and explaining, in no more than 100 words, the hard work their teacher does to look after the environment and educate children about ‘eco’ issues.

The Green Teacher of the Year 2011 Awards came to an exciting finale at an environmental challenge day at W5 on Wednesday, during which the six shortlisted teachers and their classes enjoyed an interactive ‘Talking Rubbish’ show and designed, built and trialled their own wind-powered racing machines – as well as meeting Webster the Port Monster, Belfast Harbour’s Environmental Guardian.

Speaking at the Challenge Day at W5, The Mayor of Belfast said:

“I would like to congratulate every school, pupil and teacher who has participated in Belfast Harbour’s Green Teacher of the Year award. The huge number of entries this year is a testament to our schools’ commitment to teaching environmental knowledge and responsibility to our next generation of leaders.

“It is fantastic to hear about the environmental work local teachers are involved in, such as setting up eco clubs, reducing energy in school, and even creating wormeries at school. The environment is extremely important to everyone and Belfast City Council has a sustainable action plan to protect our environment. We are currently working on recycling, reducing our energy using and exploring sustainable travel methods?

The entries were judged by a panel of experts, including David Knott, Environmental Manager, Belfast Harbour, and Laura Coey, Primary School climate change teacher, Action Renewables, as well as sustainability representative, Jackie Gibson from Graham Construction.

Roy Adair, Belfast Harbour CEO, said:

“Belfast Harbour would like to congratulate all of the individual entries for this year’s award along with our skilled panel of judges – the competition was again so strong, that choosing the six finalists from over 320 entries was an extremely difficult job. We would like to extend particular praise to Mr McAllister for his success, along with the finalists who came from schools all over Northern Ireland.

“Belfast Harbour is actively committed to fulfilling our environmental responsibilities and highlighting the benefits of reducing waste and energy consumption to a wider audience. The Green Teacher initiative is a key element of our extensive engagement with schools as we believe it is important to educate children at a young age on green issues and actively reward those who bring the benefits of environmental responsibility to the forefront of education.?

As well as enjoying the Challenge Day, the successful teachers also won large hampers, goodie bags and tickets for their class to see the Ulster Orchestra perform the music to the Christmas classic ‘The Snowman’ at the Ulster Hall. The other finalists were Mr Black from Phoenix Integrated Primary School in Cookstown, Mrs McCann from Glengormley Integrated Primary School, and Mrs Griggs from Spires Primary School in Magherafelt. All other finalists received goodie bags in addition to a workshop with the Ulster Orchestra.

Nicola Murphy, Business Development Manager, Action Renewables, said:

“Action Renewables is delighted to have teamed up with Belfast Harbour for the third year of this extremely successful competition, recognising primary school teachers’ continued commitment to environmental projects while educating children about green issues. The Challenge Day is a great way to reward both pupils and their teachers while allowing children to learn about local and wider environmental issues in an innovative and exciting way, such as creating a wind-powered racing machine.

“It was tremendous to see so many school children interact with each other at the Challenge Day and be educated about the importance of caring for their environment in a fun-filled way. From speaking to teachers and pupils here today, it is encouraging to see so many Northern Ireland teachers and pupils with genuine enthusiasm about creating a greener environment.?

Azerbaijan, an independent republic in the Caucasus, intends to develop an energy strategy without oil. The project follows the organisation’s participation in an Invest Northern Ireland organised visit to a UN agency in Vienna, for local companies specialising in renewable energy.

Following the visit, in 2010, Action Renewables identified an opportunity from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to provide its expertise to authorities in Azerbaijan seeking to develop energy resources to reduce the nation’s dependence on oil.

The contract in Azerbaijan was announced by Michael Doran, Managing Director of Action Renewables, and welcomed by Tracy Meharg, Invest NI’s Managing Director of Innovation and Capability Development.

Tracy Meharg said: “Winning this important tender in Eurasia is an immensely encouraging development for Action Renewables, Invest NI’s focus on alternative energy technologies and the wider Northern Ireland economy. It shows that Northern Ireland has extensive knowledge and experience in renewables, a global industry of enormous potential and one in which we have been investing substantial resources to encourage and assist companies here to exploit the opportunities.

“Our technology and trade teams are working with a number of local companies, both large and small and across a broad range of industrial sectors, to enable them to harness the global business potential of renewable energy projects. Our support has already included participation in major exhibitions and visits such as the delegation to Austria in which Action Renewables participated.��?

Mr Doran said: “Following our UNIDO presentation we were alerted about a tender to provide expertise in renewables to Azerbaijan. We subsequently teamed up with Ekot, a non-governmental agency there with experience in renewable energies, to respond to the tender and were successful.

“We will be organising a series of workshops in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, for senior officials from the Energy and Education ministries, other organisations and businesses there on renewable sources that could be harnessed to meet future energy requirements. They are looking at other sources such as wave and tidal, solar and wind to replace locally produced oil, which is expected to be exhausted in around 15 years.

“The workshops we are planning will cover renewable technologies and policy development. Our research indicates that there are a number of energy options that the authorities should be evaluating, especially solar thermal for water heating and photovoltaic for electricity generation.

“Other opportunities include on-shore wind and off-shore wave and tidal resources along the Caspian Sea coastline. The work will equip them to develop a meaningful strategy and an implementation plan.

“I am planning to follow up the workshops with a series of meetings with policy advisers and others involved in both policy development and implementation. Invest NI’s initiative has been immensely important and has led to our first significant project outside the island of Ireland,��? added Mr Doran.

Eurotech Renewables Limited was awarded the inaugural Brecan Mooney domestic geothermal heating installation of the year award 2011, for the innovative geothermal heating system it installed in Sean and Mary McDonald’s home in county Louth, at a prize giving ceremony in Limerick on Saturday 15 October 2011.

Geothermal energy is a renewable form of energy that uses heat stored in the ground to heat or cool buildings. The system installed in Sean and Mary McDonald’s home by Eurotech Renewables Limited uses an open loop system comprising 2 wells. The first well takes water from the ground which then passes through a heat exchanger connected to 2 ‘Ochsner’ heatpumps. Thermal energy is extracted from the groundwater for the purposes of heating the house. A third heatpump extracts heat from the bathroom exhaust air to heat the domestic hot water. The cooled water is then recharged back into the ground through the second well.

The standard of installation in this project is exceptional. All heating plant and ground wells are easily accessible for maintenance and observation. The heating pipework systems are fully insulated and all equipment is clearly labelled. Operating instructions and installation manuals provide clear guidance on system use. The operation of the heating system is very efficient, resulting in a low energy, low cost system for the owners. The primary energy operational rating of this house is 88kWhrs/m² each year, placing it at B1 on a building energy rating scale. The installation is saving 8,053kgs of CO₂ emissions per annum when compared to a heating system that uses oil fired heating. Analysis of the system’s energy performance characteristics indicates that the cost of heating the house is at least one quarter of that which would have arisen from using an oil fired boiler.

The home owners are delighted with the clean, quiet and effective operation of their geothermal heating system. They are proud to be owners of a system that has low CO₂ emissions when compared to conventional systems. Sean and Mary McDonald both feel the comfort levels in this house are very much improved from any house they have ever lived in before. The family also feel the system has benefited the family’s health, as the relative humidity in the house is not affected by heating system.

Eurotech Renewables Ltd. is a sustainable heating solutions company focused on the effective use of renewable energy. Eurotech are dedicated to providing high quality renewable heating solutions, delivering lowest possible running costs to commercial, public and private sectors. Eurotech Renewables Ltd. are located at Rossullus Walk, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Email info@eurotech-heating.com, Tel 00353(0)429749479, Contact: Gerard Duffy.

The Geothermal Installation of the Year award is named in memory of Brecan Mooney, who was active in the research and promotion of Geothermal Energy in Ireland up to his loss in November 2009. This award aims to continue Brecan’s work by showcasing excellence in geothermal systems design and installation in Ireland. In this, the inaugural year of the competition, the award is being presented for the best domestic heating system in operation since before Jan 2010, submitted for assessment in 2011.

Certificates of merit were also awarded to the following companies and home owners for installations that were of comparable quality and performance to the winner and deemed to be worthy of recognition and promotion:

• Wind Water Solar Energy Systems Ltd. for Jochen Gerz and Laurence Vanpoulle of ‘DerryQuin’, Co. Kerry,
• Green Renewable Heating Ltd. for Anne Murphy of ‘Castlequin’, Co Kerry, and
• Alternative Heating & Cooling Ltd. for Nick & Anne Ross of ‘Brook Lodge’ Co. Cork

For more information in relation to the Brecan Mooney Geothermal Installation of the Year Awards, the Geothermal Association of Ireland and geothermal energy please visit www.geothermalassociation.ie, or contact the GAI Secretariat, c/o Groundwater Section, Geological Survey of Ireland, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, tel: 01 678 2780/2784.

The association has since been renamed and lobbies Government on a range of issues including industrial rating, energy costs, local business taxation and banking which together add to the cost of doing business in Northern Ireland. We offer advice to members on a range of issues and hold occasional seminars in a range of locations on topics such as sustainable technologies and skills training with a variety of partners such as Carbon Trust, Invest NI and DEL .