This report was produced by Conor. It is a compilation of the input from the many conversations held on the day. It includes output from the exercise that Chris started the day with - identifying what issues people have with our energy system and their administration. Table of Contents   Renewable Energy  – Production, Distribution & Conservation     Introduction 3   Flagging the Issues   4   Solutions to the Issues 4   Technologies 5   Duncan Stewarts Speech 6   Conservation 6   Distribution 7   Motivation 9  

1.
Renewable
Energy
–
Production,
Distribution
&
Conservation
Creating
a
People’s
Charter
for
Renewable
Energy

2. Table
of
Contents
Renewable
Energy
–
Production,
Distribution
&
Conservation
Introduction
Flagging
the
Issues
Solutions
to
the
Issues
Technologies
Duncan
Stewarts
Speech
Conservation
Distribution
Motivation
3
4
4
5
6
6
7
9

3. Introduction
Laois
Environmental
Action
Forum
(LEAF)
and
Claiming
Our
Future
(COF),
hosted
the
renewable
energy
event,
“Renewable
Energy
–
Production,
Distribution
and
Conservation”
on
November
9th.
It
was
designed
to
encourage
communities
to
participate
in
the
planning
of
our
transition
away
from
fossil
fuel.
The
event
was
based
on
four
simple
assumptions:
1. Communities
must
be
involved
2. Renewable
energy
needs
to
be
developed
to
reduce
our
dependency
on
fossil
fuels
3. Fuel
poverty
needs
to
be
addressed,
guided
by
the
principles
of
equality
4. Climate
change
must
be
addressed
Proposals
for
wind
farms,
fracking
and
drilling
for
oil
near
Irish
coasts
have
led
to
energy
becoming
a
contentious
and
divisive
issue
for
many.
Ideas
about
solar
power,
storage
and
transmission
abound.
So
many
people
have
ideas
about
what
we
must
do.
We
believe
it
is
possible
to
have
creative
conversations
on
these
subjects
while
focusing
on
the
four
assumptions
above.
The
day
was
broken
into
three
sessions
based
on
three
topics,
energy
generation,
distribution,
and
conservation.
Before
each
session
the
"experts"
introduced
themselves
briefly,
2
minutes
max,
and
let
people
know
their
area
of
expertise.
This
event
was
being
independently
facilitated.
Most
conversations
were
held
in
small
groups
to
ensure
full
participation
for
all
involved.
It
is
hoped
that
this
event
is
the
start
of
a
process
where
the
end
result
we
are
aiming
for
is
a
people’s
charter
to
deliver
to
our
government,
showing
what
the
people
want
and
giving
a
roadmap
for
how
progress
can
be
made,
collaboratively.

4.
Flagging
the
Issues
The
analogy
that
we
were
all
outsiders
was
used
in
order
to
have
people
exam
the
problems
from
a
detached
viewpoint.
For
this,
participants
imagined
themselves
as
aliens
orbiting
the
Earth,
observing
from
a
distance.
Outlined
below
are
issues
identified
by
each
group.
Many
tables
identified
greed
as
the
driving
force
behind
many
of
the
issues
we
face
today.
Businesses
are
driven
by
profit
and
see
the
environment
as
the
source
of
that
profit
without
understanding
the
long-­‐term
consequences.
This
shortsightedness
was
picked
up
a
number
of
other
groups.
People
identified
that
politics
have
a
short-­‐term
outlook
to
a
long-­‐term
problem.
There
is
no
holistic
vision
of
the
current
energy
system.
Communities
need
to
get
involved
and
air
their
grievances
and
be
listened
to.
There
needs
to
be
more
transparency
regarding
the
problems
associated
with
climate
change.
Simply
knowing
there
is
a
problem
is
not
enough.
Action
is
required!
There
is
a
lack
of
local
ownership,
which
may
stem
from
the
government
not
engaging
with
public
regarding
the
problems
and
options
available.
Commercial
interests
and
not
social
interests
drive
energy
development.
We
persist
with
the
use
of
fossil
fuels
rather
than
identifying
viable
options
that
are
sustainable
and
long
lasting.
Solutions
to
the
Issues
Once
the
issues
were
identified
or
“Flagged”,
viable
options
available
were
listed
by
each
table.
Some
of
these
options
or
ideas
are
outlined
below.
• Integrated
understanding
(Governance).
o At
a
local/national
and
EU.
• Bring
all
sides
together
starting
with
local
communities.
• Co-­‐ownership
of
energy
solutions
to
empower
local
communities.
• Communication
and
work
ethic.
• Carbon
budget
for
Ireland.
• Conserving
consumption.
• Global
solidarity
against
fossil
fuels.
• Listening
to
communities.
• Stop
fighting
and
work
together.
• Move
to
cooperatives.
• New
economy.
• Strive
for
energy
independence.
• Close
to
source
consumption.
• Projects
with
no
environmental
impact.

5. Technologies
Next
on
the
agenda,
we
discussed
various
technological
options.
Each
table
was
assigned
to
discuss
a
certain
topic/technology
and
people
were
free
to
join
and
leave
tables
as
they
pleased.
The
topics
discussed
at
each
table
were
the
following:
• Energy
Co-­‐Operatives
• Eirgrid
• Combined
Heat
and
Power
• Solar
Energy
• Wind
Energy
• Subsidies
and
Carbon
Tax
The
Energy
Co-­‐Operative
table
discussed
the
need
for
community
cooperatives
around
Ireland.
There
is
the
possibility
to
create
local
micro-­‐grids
to
supply
and
balance
energy
requirements.
Also
discussed
was
how
Ireland
is
following
the
UK’s
model,
which
was
identified
as
being
unsustainable
for
Ireland.
We
need
to
look
at
similar
economies,
such
as
Denmark
and
Austria.
Ireland’s
Eirgrid
pillons
were
also
discussed
and
it
was
noted
at
this
table
that
a
systems
thinking
approach
to
renewable
energy
and
other
resource
use.
The
table
debating
Combined
Heat
and
Power
identified
the
benefits
of
efficient
fuel
use
as
well
as
the
flexibility
of
Sterling
Engine
CHP’s
that
can
run
on
many
types
of
fuels.
The
cost
of
installation
became
an
issue
and
CHP
installations
were
not
recommended
for
retrofits.
With
accurate
sizing,
a
unit
can
be
paid
back
within
2-­‐3
years.
Solar
and
wind
energy
were
also
discussed
to
those
who
wished
to
learn
more.
Questions
around
Wind
energy’s
efficiency
and
how
the
industry
is
regulated
were
raised.
However
there
was
interest
in
community
owned
wind
farms
and
with
the
right
expertise,
funding
and
structures,
it
was
seen
as
a
viable
option
in
the
Laois
area.
Solar
energy
is
technically
feasibility
in
Ireland,
but
with
the
lake
of
policy
to
stimulate
the
deployment
of
this
technology
will
remain
low.
There
are
10,000
installations
in
Ireland
at
present
and
the
growth
will
continue
to
remain
slow
unless
there
is
an
access
to
capital.
Finally
the
last
table
discussed
subsidies
and
a
carbon
tax.
The
energy
subsidies
supporting
fossil
fuels
were
identified
as
inhibitors
to
the
deployment
of
renewable
energy
technologies.
These
subsidies
must
be
removed
if
we
are
to
move
away
from
dirty
fuels.
The
carbon
tax
was
also
debated
and
the
consensus
was
that
there
is
a
need
for
a
fair
carbon
tax
at
all
levels.
The
capital
gained
by
these
taxes
must
be
invested
in
a
mix
of
renewables,
as
it
will
not
be
one
technology
that
will
solve
Ireland’s
dependence
on
fossil
fuel
imports.
Participants
were
urged
to
become
more
active
and
realize
that
they
have
options.

6. Duncan
Stewarts
Speech
Duncan
Stewart
had
just
15
minutes
to
impart
some
words
of
wisdom
and
advice
to
all
at
the
event.
Duncan
made
it
clear
that
we
can
no
longer
wait
for
change
to
happen,
communities
need
to
be
the
drivers.
People
must
become
organized
and
actively
involved.
In
order
to
do
this
though,
citizens
need
options,
both
technological
and
financial.
Duncan
reiterated
the
importance
of
immediate
action
and
how
dependent
we
are
as
an
island
on
imported
fuels.
We
are
at
the
mercy
of
the
global
market
and
we
should
be
striving
for
energy
independence.
Duncan’s
rousing
speech
gave
hope
to
many
of
the
event’s
guest
and
gave
impotence
to
the
group
to
continue
the
discussion.
Conservation
Following
Duncan’s
speech,
we
were
again
divided
into
various
tables
to
discuss
a
number
of
topics
with
our
“Experts”.
The
table
topics
are
listed
below:
• Media’s
Role
• Aarhuis
• District
Heating
• Transition
Ireland
and
Northern
Ireland
• Energy
Monitoring
and
Management
• Air
Tightness
and
Heat
Recovery
• Finance
and
Co-­‐Ops
• Insulation
The
role
of
the
media
in
Energy
conservation
and
renewable
energy
deployment
was
assed
at
one
table.
This
group
identified
the
need
to
use
social
media
and
online
forums
to
communicate
and
open
dialogue
between
environmental
groups.
It
was
suggested
that
people
within
the
community
could
write
their
own
stories
and
submit
these
to
newspapers.
As
well
as
being
more
proactive
with
campaigning,
communities
should
examine
the
potential
for
district
heating
systems.
One
group
discussed
the
possibilities
of
such
a
system
and
how
certain
areas
have
the
criteria
needed
for
installing
such
a
system.
Another
group
discussed
energy
monitoring
and
management
as
a
way
to
conserve
consumption.
During
this
discussion
our
expert
outlined
how
through
active
monitoring
of
energy
use,
individuals
can
become
more
aware
of
wasted
energy.
As
well
as
this,
there
is
the
opportunity
to
provide
jobs
at
a
local
level.
The
airtightness
and
heat
recovery
table
discussed
methods
making
a
dwelling
more
airtight
and
thus
reduce
the
amount
of
heat
loss.
The
key
is
to
make
people
more
aware
of
how
they
can
make
small
improvements
to
their
building
envelope
and
save
on
energy
consumption
for
space
heating.
One
piece
of
advice
was
to
use
ceiling
tape
to
prevent
air
escaping.
This
can
be
easily
concealed
by
painting
over.
As
well
as
the
airtightness
of
a
building,
an
expert
on
insulation
formed
a
group
to
identify
the
options
and
potential
pitfalls
of
selecting
insulation.
Concerns
were
raised
over
petrochemical
materials
for
insulation
and
how
there
is
a
lack
of
funding
and
supply
for
Eco
materials,
such
as
hemp.

7. The
table
discussing
the
Aarhuis
convention
outlined
the
need
for
environmental
rights
in
the
constitution
and
how
there
should
be
an
environmental
court
to
prosecute
those
that
damage
the
Irish
environment
for
financial
gain.
The
need
for
up
skilling
within
the
public
sector
was
also
proposed
as
well
as
improved
public
awareness
and
education.
More
people
need
to
engage
with
the
Aarhuis
but
this
will
only
be
possible
through
improved
information
distribution
for
example
employing
information
officers
and
holding
Aarthuis
information
roadshows.
The
final
table
introduced
“Transition
Ireland
and
Northern
Ireland”
(TINI)
and
gave
an
introduction
into
the
movement
and
how
there
is
a
need
for
a
network
to
make
such
a
transition
possible.
Distribution
Our
next
session
divided
up
the
groups
again
to
discuss
aspects
of
distribution
and
any
other
topic
of
interest
to
participants.
The
topics
included:
• Energy
Democracy
• Co-­‐Operatives
and
Energy
• Eirgrid’s
Pylons
• Anaerobic
digestion
• European
Policy
• Smart
Micro-­‐Grids
The
group
discussing
Energy
democracy
examined
the
various
problems
existing
within
the
Irish
system
and
also
how
these
issues
could
be
resolved.
These
problems
and
solutions
are
outlined
below.
• Various
problems
were
identified
o Opaque
democracy
o Governance
not
government
o No
Leadership
o Pro
profit
ideology
o Pro
market
bias
is
senior
public
servants
o Semi-­‐state
“competition”
is
a
gravy
train
o Appointed
local
government
• Solutions
were
also
offered
o Use
existing
smart
grid
o Re-­‐politicizes
the
population
o Aarhuis
convention
–
use
it
o Upstream
participation
o Redefine
national
interests
when
it
comes
to
energy
o New
players
in
local
democracy
must
be
accountable
o Challenge
semi-­‐state
selfish
interest
o Semi
state
mandate
to
become
social
and
not
commercial
o Democratise
semi-­‐states

8. Once
again,
Co-­‐Operatives
were
discussed.
This
time,
barriers
related
to
the
establishment
of
energy
Co-­‐Operatives
were
identified.
Two
of
the
most
prominent
barriers
are
related
to
peoples
trust
in
such
projects.
People
need
instant
success
and
reward
otherwise
there
isn’t
much
interest.
People
tend
to
retrofit
their
existing
home,
without
thinking
of
the
benefits
of
energy
Co-­‐
Operatives.
There
is
a
need
to
communicate
with
like-­‐minded
people
and
establish
a
suitable
forum
to
communicate
and
share
ideas.
Eirgrid’s
Pylons
were
the
subject
of
our
next
group’s
discussion.
This
group
were
concerned
with
the
large
pylons
being
constructed
in
the
Laois
area.
Such
investment
into
Ireland’s
grid
is
dependent
on
continued
economic
growth
and
resource
consumption.
There
should
be
more
focus
on
improving
energy
efficiency
and
strategies
to
combat
the
forecasted
increase
in
consumption
should
be
aimed
at
local
renewable
energy
projects.
Anaerobic
digestion
(AD)
was
discussed
within
another
group
and
had
many
interested
participants.
Issues
such
as
investment
costs,
deployment
potential,
interest
and
legislation
were
discussed.
The
expert
at
the
table
made
it
aware
that
in
order
for
AD
to
be
successfully
deployed,
AD
needs
buy
in
from
all
the
community.
With
the
topics
based
around
the
distribution
of
energy,
Smart
micro
grids
was
yet
another
topic
people
found
interesting
and
applicable.
There
is
a
need
for
case
studies
to
show
the
authorities
it
is
possible.
An
energy
survey
is
a
good
way
to
start
and
such
works
will
drive
the
local
economy
by
supplying
badly
needed
employment.
The
group
outlined
the
need
for
a
fund
for
projects
that
payback
in
less
than
two
years.
The
expert
made
it
clear
that
moving
forward
there
is
a
need
for
a
community
plan
(3
year
plan
as
suggested)
and
a
forum
to
network
between
Co-­‐ops.
The
final
two
tables
examined
how
change
might
happen.
The
suggestions
are
briefly
outlined
below:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Taxes
and
sanctions
Need
for
a
carbon
budget
o Set
a
limit
o How
will
we
spend
it?
Social
justice
impact
assessment
Direct
action
o Even
in
the
absence
of
popular
support
Presentation
of
a
convincing
sustainable
alternative
o Climate
change
people
talk
about
problems
and
solutions
Next
generation
needs
to
be
born
with
a
conscience!
More
use
of
electronic
democracy
across
EU
• Use
petitions?

9. Motivation
With
such
a
large
amount
of
information
having
to
be
consumed
and
the
most
dizzying
amount
of
problems
we
face
we
decided
to
end
the
event
by
focusing
on
motivation.
Groups
were
asked
to
write
a
few
points
about
what
motivates
them
and
how
to
get
motivated
for
the
future.
There
were
a
diverse
number
of
points
made
and
participants
want
communities
to
lead
the
way
with
sustainable
community
led
projects.
In
order
for
this
to
be
achieved,
there
is
a
need
for
energy
policies
to
facilitate
neighbourhood
projects
and
enable
local
cooperatives
to
form.
Communities
need
to
become
empowered
and
need
to
become
more
involved
in
shaping
their
local
energy
future.
Other
groups
focused
on
the
energy
options
discussed
by
the
experts
as
their
motivation
for
the
future.
We
need
to
monitor
our
electricity
use,
chop
wood,
set
up
of
cooperatives,
and
apply
pressure
to
bring
about
a
change
in
our
climate
future.
We
need
to
seize
the
day
and
get
behind
sustainable
projects.
One
individual
alone
cannot
achieve
an
energy
secure
future,
it
will
take
a
group
focused
on
a
common
goal.
But
the
options
are
out
available,
there
just
needs
to
be
enough
voices
behind
each
project.