With transport fuels in Ireland the most expensive in Europe and pressures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our business community faces its biggest challenge yet: to find cost effective, energy efficient and sustainable alternative transport fuels. An accurate and reliable overview of the fuel market is crucial if we are to safeguard our long-term investments and fight the squeeze on margins.

This conference provides a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange and transfer with guest speakers from European markets delivering experiences on Alternative Transport in Europe, the Alternative Automobile Industry in Spain and Portugal.  There is also the prospect for delegates to join the Alternative Transport Fuels Association which will exist to provide support and a network base.

Who should attend?

• Fleet managers/Transport managers for Haulage, Cars and Van
• Energy managers
• Fuel suppliers
• Fuel manufacturers
• Environmental managers
• Vehicle suppliers
• Public transport operators
• Consultants and advisors in the energy and
• transport sectors
• Local government – officers and elected
  representatives
• Energy and transport policy-makers
• Researchers and academics

Please be advised that a limited number of spaces are available and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Click to view the Conference Agenda (Subject to change) and booking form. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Action Renewables by emailing conference@actionrenewables.co.uk or by telephoning 028 90 7277760.

The charity has been active in Northern Ireland since 1936 and from small beginning has grown a conservation movement which owns, protects and provides public access to 40 square miles of scenic countryside and around 120 miles of the magnificent Northern Ireland Coastline.  The iconic sites include some of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks such as the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Slieve Donard and Divis and the Black Mountain overlooking Belfast.  The Trust also cares for some of the finest mansions and gardens including Mount Stewart and Castle Ward in Co. Down, Castle Coole and Florence Court in Co. Fermanagh and Springhill and The Argory in mid-Ulster.   Our industrial past is reflected at Wellbrook Beetling Mill, Gray’s Printing Press, and Patterson’s Spade Mill, the only working spade mill in the British Isles, where you can still buy a made to order spade!
 
The core purpose of the Trust however is about more than iconic sites.  It protects places which are special and significant for local people and visitors because they reflect the rich diversity of our landscapes and built heritage and tell the story of man’s impact on this island over thousands of years.  A major focus of the Trust’s work is therefore to ensure that the coast, countryside, gardens and even buildings in our care offer the right kind of habitats to preserve Northern Ireland’s rich biodiversity.  This ensures that National Trust properties are not only great for people but wonderful for wildlife too.    

Without the generosity of supporters through membership subscriptions, donations, gifts and legacies and the immense contribution of volunteers the Trust could not continue to look after special places for ever, for everyone.

The National Trust has set a target to reduce consumption of fossil fuels for heat and electricity by 50% by 2020, i.e. by 2020 we plan to meet 50% of our energy requirements from renewable sources. We are well on the way with a number of our larger oil consumers already switched over to biomass.

The National Trust has also set a target to reduce consumption of fossil fuels for heat and electricity by 50% by 2020, i.e. by 2020 we plan to meet 50% of our energy requirements from renewable sources. We are well on the way with a number of our larger oil consumers already switched over to biomass.

• Best Energy Saving SME (sponsored by Electric Ireland)  – The Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown
• Runner up: The Mourne Lodge
• Most Innovative Construction Project (sponsored by The Ardminnan Group) – Todd Architects, Belfast
• 2nd Place: Paul McAllister Architects: 3rd Place, Oaklee Homes Group 
• Most Innovative Renewables Installation (sponsored by Dimplex Renewables) – BlueBuild Energy Ltd, Bangor 
• 2nd Place: South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, 3rd Place: Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• Most Sustainable Travel Plan implemented by SME (sponsored by Travelwise NI) – Queens University Belfast
• 2nd Place: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, 3rd Place: Northern Ireland Environment Agency
• Renewable Energy Awareness Award (Best School) (sponsored by RES) – Holy Child Primary School, Belfast
• Joint 2nd Place: Fairview Primary School and Groggan Primary School
• Best Training Provider (sponsored by SummitSkills) – South Eastern Regional College, Newtownards 
• Best Community Project (sponsored by brites) – Alternative Heat, Castlewellan 
• 2nd Place: The Linton Robinson Group, 3rd Place: Transition Town Whitehead
• Best Planner: Renewable Energy Project (sponsored by Action Renewables) – Joint winners: Diana Fitzsimons, Turley Associates and  Jenny Mawhinney, Belfast and Michael Burroughs Associates, Holywood

Michael Doran, Director of Action Renewables commented; “I would like to congratulate all of our winners, who together are making a significant contribution to the development of the renewable energy industry in Northern Ireland. This year we received double the amount of entries into our awards, which is very encouraging and demonstrates the growing commitment which local companies have to improving their ‘green’ credentials. These companies represent both the public and private sector, and together they are embracing alternative energy, new technologies, and are implementing sustainable initiatives. This is proving to be extremely beneficial to their business and helping them to invest for the future.

Andrew Ryan, Partner and Head of Energy, Environment and Planning at Tughans added: “These awards play an important role in helping to give local companies the recognition they deserve for the excellent work they are doing within the fast developing ‘green’ sector. Tughans are once again delighted to be involved and I would like to congratulate the winners and commend all the finalists.

Andy Bready of DRD Travelwise NI added: We would like to congratulate all those who entered the awards and encourage other organisations to follow their lead in adopting sustainable business practices. In particular we would like to acknowledge the winners of the ‘Most Sustainable Travel Plan’ category, Queen’s University, for their commitment to supporting sustainable travel alternatives to help relieve congestion, preserve the environment and improve the health and wellbeing of staff.

The Action Renewables Association Awards took place in the Titanic Belfast attraction as one of a series of familiarisation events taking place ahead of the official opening of Titanic Belfast.

To view photographs of the event, click here.

Michael Doran said “It was the best mission that we have attended. We think that we may have up to five projects to deliver in the Philippines as a direct result of this initiative.

Action Renewables is now active in 12 countries including, Finland, Sweden, The Faroes, Iceland, France, Spain, Portugal, and  Azerbaijan.

‘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.