Killowen Primary School, Lisburn and St Catherine’s College, Armagh have both been revealed as Northern Ireland’s ‘Tesco Green Schools of the Year’ through an initiative ran by Tesco and Action Renewables. Fighting off stiff competition from over 400 entries, Killowen and St Catherine’s impressed judges with their green credentials and both schools each received prizes of 6,000 Tesco school vouchers to spend on essential school equipment. Killowen, who were also winners last year, managed to stay on top of their game and the judges were impressed that the whole school was involved in their entry. The judges said, “Excellent evidence of green education throughout the school. The school has an eco committee, a green flag and pupils welcome visits from a number of outside environmental companies and organisations. Pupils have also made individual pledges to help reduce their energy consumption.”
	Left to right: Melanie Hamill, Andy Ewing, Anne Broome, Tesco Lisburn, Chloe Mitchell Zak Clements, Courtney Cree, Mrs F Crory, Principal Killowen PS, Nicola Chang, New Business Developer, Action Renewables, Bethany Boyd and Lee Harthrone.
Left to right: Nicola Chang, New Business Developer, Action Renewables, Mrs F Crory, Principal Killowen PS, Anne Broome, Tesco Lisburn with pupils Lee Harthrone, Courtney Cree.	Winning pupils of Tesco Greens Primary School of the Year 2010, Courtney Cree, and Lee Harthrone from Killowen PS, Lisburn
	St Catherine’s College also impressed judges with their eco-club, energy motto / project called ‘Back to Basics and their environmental code of conduct. The judges said, “The eco club builds on previous projects and the pupils evaluate how they can improve these for the future. The pupils also aim to educate their peers about becoming eco-friendly and were aware of local produce and the benefits of growing their own.”   ‘Tesco Green Schools of the Year’ competition aims to encourage pupils from primary and post primary schools throughout Northern Ireland to take responsibility for the environment and in turn raise awareness of green initiatives, which schools can and do undertake to be more environmentally friendly and set an example in their local community.
Susan Hughs, Rachael Devlin, Michael Doran, Action Renewables, Alice McConville and Jeanette Fitzpatrick, Tesco Charity Champion
“Taking care of the environment is a key priority and this competition is all about rewarding local schools for the efforts they are making to take this responsibility seriously. We were very impressed with the quality of entries this year and the wonderful initiatives being implemented by local schools and would like to congratulate all the winners” said Caoimhe Mannion, Tesco NI marketing manager. Michael Doran, director, Action Renewables, adds, “We had a great response to the competition this year and it is clear how motivated schools are to play an important role in helping the environment. The standard of the entries was outstanding, which further demonstrates the great work that schools across Northern Ireland are doing, and the examples they are setting within their local communities.”
	Rachel Devlin and Alice McConville
	Six runners up also received 2,000 Tesco school vouchers, which included; Edennderry Primary School (Portadown), Limavady Central Primary School (Limavady) and St Ninnidh’s Primary School (Fermanagh), Shimna Integrated College (Newcastle), St Columb’s College (Derry), Larne Grammar School (Larne).
Michael Doran, Action Renewables, Rachel Devlin, Alice McConville and Jeanette Fitzpatrick, Tesco Charity Champion

Belfast Harbour and Action Renewables have launched the search for the ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2010’. Designed to reward primary school teachers from across Northern Ireland for showing leadership and taking responsibility for the environment, the competition is set to engage hundreds of pupils and encourage them to put forward their teachers to win this year. Over 800 primary schools are being given the opportunity to tell Action Renewables in no more than 100 words, why their teachers should be crowned ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2010’. Judges will be looking for a teacher who works hard to look after the environment and to educate children about environmental issues.
	To be considered all entries should reach Action Renewables by 22nd October and will be judged by a panel of experts including David Knott, Environmental Manger, Belfast Harbour, and Laura Coey, Primary School climate change teacher, Action Renewables. Six finalists and their classes will be invited to take part in a fun challenge day at W5 on Wednesday 24th November, where they will meet Webster, Belfast Harbour’s Port ‘monster’, invent wind-powered racing machines and enjoy an interactive ‘Talking Rubbish Show’. The day will conclude with one teacher being awarded the coveted ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2010’ title plus tickets for their class at the Waterfront Hall’s Christmas pantomime.  Two runners up will also receive a prize and there’ll be a Webster goodie bag for all participating children.
Left to Right: Webster the Port Monster, Nicola Chang, Action Renewables, Mrs Crosbie, Donemana Primary School, Roy Adair, Belfast Harbour, Minister Poots, Department of Environment with Pupils from Donemana Primary School
Last year’s winner, Mrs. Jill Crosbie, Donemana Primary School, commented: “I was overwhelmed to have won the competition last year and it was great to be nominated by my class and be recognised for my work. In addition, the children have benefited so much from the prizes we received; not only did we have a great day of fun and learning at W5 and the Christmas Panto at the Odyssey but we were also privileged enough to be invited to this year’s launch with Minister Poots at Stormont. Having had such a great experience, I would encourage all Key Stage 2 pupils to get into the spirit and enter the competition this year as the benefits of the competition extend way beyond the class-room and will hopefully stay with the kids for life!!.” Roy Adair, CEO, Belfast Harbour, said: “Belfast Harbour is strongly committed to creating a greener
	Mrs Crosbie, Donemana Primary School with pupils Jonathan Gamble and Shannon Leslie
Click on the image above to download a competition poster	environment. As the first Harbour Authority in the world to be accredited as CarbonNeutral in 2008, our commitment to the environment has continued with an environmental programme for schools, supported by Zoe Salmon and Webster, the Port ‘monster’, which is helping children learn about the Harbour and green issues. “The Green Teacher of the Year award offers an ideal opportunity for teachers to show leadership with fun and informative activities that encourage children to become more environmentally aware, about both waste and energy.  We were delighted to receive over 100 entries last year and are keen to support teachers who go the extra mile to promote the benefits of reducing energy consumption and waste. We hope to increase the number of entries received this year and encourage even more teachers to do more for the environment”.
Nicola Chang, New Business Developer, Action Renewables, adds: “Action Renewables is delighted to work with Belfast Harbour on the awards again this year. It is a great opportunity for Primary School teachers to be recognised for their continued commitment to environmental projects. Creating a greener environment in the school helps educate children who will in turn use the skills at home and hopefully throughout their life.” If you think your teacher works particularly hard to look after the environment and should be crowned ‘Webster’s Green Teacher of the Year 2010’, send your entry to ‘Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2010’, Action Renewables, The Innovation Centre, NI Science Park, Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9DT or e-mail education@actionrenewables.co.uk by 22nd October to ensure your teacher doesn’t miss out. To download a competition poster click here or on the poster above.
	Mrs Crosbie, Donemana Primary School and Webster the Port Monster
Remember the more entries submitted from pupils at your school, the more chance your teacher has of winning!

        

Tesco and Action Renewables have once again joined forces to launch their annual search for Northern Ireland’s ‘Green Schools of the Year’. Following last year’s overwhelming response, which saw over 300 individual entries from local schools, the competition will once again encourage pupils from primary and post primary schools throughout Northern Ireland to take responsibility for the environment and in turn raise awareness of green initiatives, which schools can undertake to be more environmentally friendly.
Over 1,000 primary and post primary schools across the province are being given the opportunity to enter this exciting competition and are invited to explain in no more that 100 words (Primary School) and 250 words (Post Primary) why their school is deserving of the coveted titles of ‘Tesco Green Primary and Post Primary Schools of the Year 2010’. All entries will be judged by a panel at Action Renewables and need to be received by 23rd April 2010 to be considered. The two winning schools will receive an increased prize fund of 10,000 Tesco school vouchers to spend on essential school equipment plus there are many more prizes including 2,000 Tesco school vouchers for the six runner ups.
	Last year’s winners Killowen Primary School, Lisburn and Grosvenor Grammar School in Belfast purchased useful environmentally friendly items with their 5,000 Tesco school vouchers to help keep them at the top of their game. Killowen purchased an interactive white board while Grosvenor added to their gardening equipment; a trowel and fork set, folding wheelbarrow, insect habitat, ladybird house, bird box with camera and a water butt. “Looking after the environment is a top priority and these awards are great at motivating local schools to take a more responsible approach to their school environment. As a company who is committed to green initiatives, we were really impressed with the wonderful initiatives being implemented by local schools last year and we look forward to seeing many more, new and exciting ones this year,” said Greg Crummy, Tesco Knocknagoney.
Nicola Chang, New Business Developer, Action Renewables, adds, “With such a fantastic response last year, we are really excited to be launching this competition again. It provides a great opportunity for pupils and teachers to work together to help create a greener school environment. Going green has many benefits for schools including cutting costs, creating better lighting, temperature control, improved ventilation, and in-door air quality which together contribute to improved health, reducing absenteeism and of course helping to improve learning and exam results.”	From left: Mrs Crookshanks, Principal, Holywood Primary School, Greg Crummy, Tesco, Adrian McLaughlin, Action Renewables, Jean Cardie, Tesco, Mrs Wallace and pupils from Holywood Primary School
Jean Cardie, and Greg Crummy from Tesco with pupils from Holywood Primary School	If you think your school has what it takes to be crowned ‘Tesco Green Primary’ or ‘Post Primary School of the Year 2010’ for information on how to enter our fabulous competition click here or on the poster above. Email your completed entry to education@actionrenewables.org by Friday 23rd April 2010 for your school to be considered.
Remember the more entries submitted from pupils at your school, the greater chance you have of winning these amazing prizes for your school!

Following the closure of the LCBP Stream 1 funding programme for renewable electricity generating technologies in early February 2010, the NIE SMART programme is going to offer support to householders for solar PV and wind in an attempt to maintain a level of momentum in the Northern Ireland market.

Offshore wind is creating some of the largest infrastructure projects in the world with a potential market investment of over £100 billion. With this comes tens of thousands of jobs.

The Crown Estate have awarded the Round 3 Wind Farms contracts and the successful developers need companies able to feed into their supply chains. The supply chain is in the broadest sense, all the elements that will contribute to offshore wind energy deployment including: components; skilled workforce; infrastructure; also the political and economic environment. It is essential for supporting the deployment of offshore wind to deliver ambitious UK renewable energy targets.

The Department of Enterprice Trade and Investment (DETI) has formed a Heat Oversight Group, to contribute to the study currently being done by AECOM and Poyry on Renewable Heat. The study is due to be complete by April 2010. The aim of the work is to gather an evidence base for renewable heat which will help inform a heat target to 2020 and an accompanying longer term strategy. The work will include:

• Establish up to date and accurate statistics on the current heat and renewable heat usage in NI;
  Produce a base heat map using GIS;
• Benchmark the potential for renewable heat in NI against renewable heat markets in GB, RoI and two other European regions;
• Present options on how the renewable heat market in NI could be encouraged;
• Assess the need for an interim measure in NI in light of the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive in GB; and
• Make projections as to an evidence based target for renewable heat to 2020, setting out clearly the potential impact of any target on other existing energy markets.

Bord Gáis (BGE), parent company of Northern Ireland gas and electricity supplier firmus energy, announced today that they have completed the purchase of Cork based SWS Natural Resources, one of the largest wind portfolios in Ireland in a transaction worth over £450m. Over the next five years Bord Gáis will invest almost £630m in the construction of the wind projects and in the process create 250 sustainable jobs across the island of Ireland.  Click here for the full press release.

South Eastern Regional College is running a course in Sustainable Homes and Energy Systems in January, February and March of 2010.  There are limited free places for each of the three courses. For further information and contact details, click here.

NIE is offering a variety of energy saving light fittings with a subsidy of up to 25% off the normal retail price.  Funded by the NIE energy efficiency programme the offer is limited to non-domestic energy users.  Click here for more information.

As announced in the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, published on 15 July 2009, £6 million in capital grant funding is being made available over the next two financial tears to explore the potential for deep geothermal power in the UK, helping companies carry out exploratory work needed to identify viable sites.  For more information click here.

ESB Independent Energy (ESBIE) and Action Renewables have challenged students to consider the important issues involved in future energy supply during a special workshop at W5.  Entitled ‘Wind farm or no wind farm’, sixth form students from across Northern Ireland were required to assume the role of various stakeholders, such as community groups, environmentalists and windfarm representatives, to consider if the Isle of Lewis should have the largest onshore wind farm in Europe.

Pictured (above) at the event are Jenny Williams and Aaron Duff from Dalriada alongside John Conlon from event sponsors ESBIE, who provided guidance to the students on the issues involved in green energy supply.   The exercise was based on a real-life planning issue and students used actual information, facts and expert advice from the proposal to formulate their decisions.    Pictured (left) at the event are 6th form students from  Our Lady & St Patricks College, Knock.

Michael Doran Director of AR recently visited SERC, Newtownards campus to view the renewable technology equipment which they are using for training students through their current renewable energy courses.

L-R Paul Henry, John Mohan, Michael Doran &  John Ross at the renewable energy labs in Ards Campus.	Stephen McGreevy &Michael Donnelly in SouthEastern Regional College	Michael Doran & John Ross at the Renewable Energy Labs in the Ards Campus.

Ballymena Borough Council (“the Council”) and GT Energy, an Irish company engaged in the development of deep geothermal energy, today announced the formation of a strategic alliance to develop a geothermal-led renewable district heating energy system for the town. Under the agreement, GT Energy and the Council will closely collaborate on developing a new integrated district heating network throughout the town of Ballymena, which will supply heat sourced from geothermal energy. The project will also see the construction of biomass systems to supplement the network heat demand during peak load periods and for back up purposes.

Commenting on behalf of the Council, Maurice Watterson Director of Building Control Services said, “This project will provide greater access to clean energy and has potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the Borough while reducing energy costs. Employment will also be created in the area during construction phase. Having examined a similar project in Germany we believe this initiative will position Ballymena as one of the first towns in Ireland to harness this sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source.” Leo Crawford, CEO of GT Energy, said: “Since we first highlighted Ballymena’s potential for geothermal development to the Council we have been very impressed with its vision and active interest in partnering with us in developing this renewable energy project. We have been equally encouraged by the positive reaction of some of the town’s existing large commercial and industrial heat users who potentially would be interested in connecting to the network. Longer term the intention would be to rollout the network to smaller commercial heat users and residential customers throughout the town.”   Geothermal energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source generated from the heat in the earth’s core. It is harnessed by extracting hot water from deep underground and distributing it through a district heating network to heat users. Although already widely used around the world in countries such as Iceland, the US, Italy, France and Germany, to date no deep geothermal projects have been completed in Ireland.   About GT Energy Established in 2006, GT Energy is an Irish company engaged in the development of deep geothermal led district heating networks in Ireland and the UK. It was the first company in Ireland to initiate private exploration into geothermal resources. Since establishment, GT Energy has concentrated on the development of deep geothermal systems and peak load heat plants to provide heat energy via district heating networks in all of the key urban locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Action Renewables will be organising a fact finding trip to Austria in August 2009.  Dates are yet to be confirmed, however if you would like to register your interest please email nicola.chang@actionrenewables.co.uk

  
 ULSTER energy
 Jul 6, 2009 2:20:43 PM
 By Michael McHugh, Press Association
 (Ireland special)
 
 Around 40% of Northern Ireland's electricity should come from renewable  sources by 2020, the Energy Minister said today.
 
 It will add an extra GBP99 a year to customers' bills but reflects the  need for effective action against climate change and securing  sustainable supplies, Arlene Foster added.
 
 She launched her consultation on a Strategic Energy Framework for Northern Ireland today.
 
 Ms Foster said: "However there is no silver bullet solution. We face  many challenges in balancing competing environmental and cost issues, in  order to create a sustainable energy infrastructure that will support  economic growth and provide for reliable and competitive energy markets  for Northern Ireland."
 
The Executive has agreed to go out for consultation.
 
The document said: "Our dependence on imported gas and coal for almost  100% of our power generation leaves us very vulnerable to price  volatility and failures in the supply chain for such fuels.
 
"Increased emphasis on renewable power generation would provide Northern  Ireland with additional security of supply, and environmental benefits  in terms of reduced greenhouse gases and lower levels of CO2 in  particular."
 
However it will cost close to GBP1 billion to upgrade the all-Ireland  electricity grid to cope with renewable energy and it may not be  completed until 2020. Building a second north/south electricity  interconnector would cost GBP160 million and would be recovered from  usage charges over a 40-year period.
 
Natural gas storage in east Antrim, will be dependent on confirmation of  the geology in the area and private sector investment, with costs likely  to be in the region of GBP200 million.
 
A 40% renewable electricity target is estimated to add an average of  around GBP99 a year to consumer bills, the framework added.
 
"There will, however, be benefits to Northern Ireland as a whole in  terms of increased security of supply, economic development and carbon  savings - taken together for a 40% target, these are likely to give an  annual benefit to Northern Ireland of approximately GBP50 million."
 
Fossil fuel burning continues to dominate the local market and Northern  Ireland is suffering from the volatility of worldwide shifts in the cost  of oil, gas and coal.
 
Ms Foster added: "It is therefore vital that government encourages  increased levels of renewable power generation and provision of the  associated new infrastructure which is necessary to improve security and  diversity of our energy supply."
 

Over 50 exhibitors of renewable energy products were represented at the fair, displaying renewable energy equipment such as solar panels and heat pumps. During the visit, Arlene Foster met with exhibitors and attendees, to see the wide range of technology on offer to help householders and businesses improve their energy efficiency.  The fair also included seminars throughout the day, during which expert speakers, such as Professor Neill Hewitt, University of Ulster, discussed energy management and renewable technologies.

Speaking at the event at Belfast’s Ramada Hotel, Arlene Foster said: “In Northern Ireland, we are almost wholly dependent on the import of fossil fuels, and therefore need to plan for a sustainable energy future that will also deliver on government targets. “I am pleased to see over 50 exhibitors here today - evidence that there is a growing interest and knowledge of energy efficiency and renewable energy technology. Today’s event is a valuable resource for both individuals and businesses seeking information about renewable energy. This is more important that ever in the current economic recession, as local businesses seek to reduce operating costs, where possible.

Above: Minister Foster with Ken Webb Principal of South Easter Regional College.

"It is clear from what I have seen at today's exhibition, that renewables energy, energy efficiency and energy management, offer significant opportunities in terms of economic development and the potential for skills development.  Indeed my Department currently chairs a Sustainable Energy-Interdepartmental Working Group (SEIDWG) which is setting up a sub group to examine the potential for green job development in Northern Ireland"    Right: Minister Foster with Alan Hogan, Sales Director (Ireland), Kinspan Renewables and Terry Waugh, Action Renewbables.

John Ross, South Eastern Regional College, said: “At the College, we are committed to working closely with businesses to deliver courses that accommodate the rigours of the changing face of energy. Businesses are being challenged like never before, with demands on energy cost, efficiencies and performance, and new legislation demanding compliance across many areas. This requires a pro-active education system to advise, communicate, train and consult with business and industry as these changes are so far reaching. Left: John Ross, lecturer with SERC, Nicola Chang, Business Developer with Action Renewables and RTE presenter and architect Duncan Stewart.