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Renewable Energy
What is Renewable Energy?
A renewable energy is an energy source which can be replenished naturally
and indefinitely and thus is not going to run out.
The benefits of such energy sources are obvious in terms of supply – but
another important benefit is that renewable energies are much better for the
environment than conventional fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. This
is because burning fossil fuels adds greenhouse gases, which have been
‘locked up’ within the Earth, back into the atmosphere. This is a major
cause of the phenomenon known as ‘Climate Change’.
Another benefit of using renewable energy is that while we import most of
our fossil fuel, there are abundant sources of RE available locally.
Renewable energy sources are all around us and many are as old as
civilization itself - yet we don't always appreciate them or use them as
much as we could. There are many different types of renewable energy, some
you may have heard of - like solar power, others may be new to you - like
biomass energy.
The Carlow Kilkenny Energy agency have information on the various renewable energy
resources and technologies available to you by clicking on the
Downloads
link to the left.
Direct benefits for users of renewable energy
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Almost every energy user
has at least one source of renewable energy available to them, from the
geothermal heat in back gardens to the solar energy falling on roofs.
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Modern renewable energy
systems can provide a high level of automation, reliability and
responsiveness, operate with high energy conversion efficiency and produce
very low or zero emissions.
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Many companies are now
offering a wide range of renewable energy services and equipment for
domestic, commercial and industrial energy users.
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Locally sourced renewable
energies can provide clean, sustainable, and cost effective sources of
heat, electricity, and transport fuel. Significant savings can be made by
using renewable energy in terms of both energy costs and Carbon dioxide
emissions reduction when compared to using fossil fuel.
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Renewable energies can
offer stable, predictable and long term energy prices.
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For certain renewable
energy developments, grant aid may be available to support projects.
Benefits to the economy and environment
There are many environmental benefits associated with using renewable
energy:
-
The main environmental
benefit of using renewable energy is the reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions. This will in turn reduce the fines resulting from not meeting our
Kyoto and EU targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions and renewable
energy implementation.
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Renewable energy technologies produce little or no pollution, whereas
energy from fossil fuels is a primary source of air, water, and soil
pollution. Pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide, and particulate matter all impact negatively on the local
environment.
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Using locally sourced renewable energies also reduces the harmful
emissions and pollution risks associated with the transport of fossil
fuels.
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Using the renewable energy sources available locally reduces fossil fuel
imports, thus improving the balance of payments for the exchequer and
keeping money within the local economy.
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Using renewable energy reduces exposure to fluctuations in fossil fuel
price and security of supply, especially oil.
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Renewable energy offers the opportunity to create new jobs in rural areas
as well as providing alternative land uses for farmers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Carlow and Kilkenny
There is a huge renewable energy resource waiting to be tapped into in Co.
Carlow and Co. Kilkenny. Full exploitation of the Accessible renewable
energy resources in the Counties would mean that we could meet 50% of our
primary energy requirements from local renewable energy resources.
The development of renewable energy sources is a priority at local,
regional, national and at a European level. It is an objective of the
existing County Development Plans of both counties to encourage and
facilitate the development of renewable energy developments where it is
consistent with the proper planning and development of the area.
The Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency carried out a survey in 2005 of the
potential and practical availability of the renewable energy resources in
Co. Carlow and Co. Kilkenny. All these resources have potential to be used
to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The Agency can offer support and advice to anyone wishing to utilise the
renewable energy resources in the Counties whether using wood, solar or
geothermal energy to heat homes and other premises, for the development of
wind and biogas projects, or for the use of biofuels for transport.
The renewable energy resource reports can be accessed from our
downloads page. |
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Carlow Kilkenny Energy
Agency
Castle Hill, Carlow. Phone:
059-9143871, Fax: 059-9143290,
info@ckea.ie
or
(c/o
CKLP),
8 Patricks Court,
Kilkenny. Phone: 056 7752111
Carlow County Council, Athy Road, Carlow. Phone: 059-9170300,
www.carlow.ie
Kilkenny County Council, John Street, Kilkenny, Phone: 056 7794000,
www.kilkennycoco.ie
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