Energy

GI member QME Develops EV Kits for Mining Equipment ;

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QME , a member of Geoscience Ireland, is proud to offer new EV “plug and play” battery kits for all medium and light underground Mining equipment.

With more than 35 years of experience of both operating, maintaining and rebuilding of used Mining equipment, QME have aligned with 2 EV companies  to offer direct replacement EV kits for all types of medium and light underground Mining equipment including the world-renowned Toyota Landcruiser. This EV transformation represents a huge advance towards reducing the carbon footprint traditionally associated with mining. The concept behind the  offering is to retain as much value as possible from existing resources, products, parts and materials to create a system that allows for long life, optimal reuse, refurbishment, re- manufacturing and recycling.

QME EV has collaborated with Xerotech, an Irish battery company and Swiss company Motics whose ePowerone system leads the way in electro-mobility systems.  Successful field trails of the reconfigured Land Cruiser have been undertaken at Boliden Tara Mines in Navan Co Meath in Ireland as seen in video link below..

QME EV Solutions can be contacted directly at EV@qme.ie
#mining #supplychain #electricvehicles #recycling #technology #design #management #experience #development #development #safety #environment #sustainable #transformation #EV #evsolutions #batterytechnology

https://lnkd.in/e6cnhuZK

Advancing the Geothermal Energy Sector

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Geoscience Ireland (GI) has been deeply engaged in understanding, researching and promoting the Geothermal Energy Sector in recent  years. Geothermal Energy is a renewable and sustainable resource for district heating , and at sufficient temperatures, a source for electricity generation.

Reflecting the high temperatures found in the earth’s core, earth temperatures increase with depth, usually at a rate of 25°C per km.  Geothermal Energy  utilises the geothermal gradient to harvest hot water, either by extraction or by injection and recovery.

Geothermal Energy is generally considered under two headings-; power generation   and district heating. Power generation is provided by waters with temperatures of c +130°C, while district heating is provided by waters at lesser temperatures of 50-100°C.

At present, development  is largely confined to areas where the geothermal gradient is high i.e., where the cover rocks are thinner above the hottest areas of the subsurface. Areas of lower geothermal gradients can also be developed; they require access by deeper drilling.

The European Union (EU) recognises the potential of GE by supporting research and analysis of commercial aspects of the sector. GI has been a partner  in  the EU’s COSME  funded projects – Geo Energy Europe GEE 1 & 2. These projects bring together European know how , technologies and experience from eight business clusters in  seven countries  comprising over 600 members. The GEE 2 project is designed to evaluate opportunities for participating companies in exporting expertise and creating business collaborations with a focus on Market Study Visits to four markets- Chile, Canada, Kenya and Costa Rica.

Joe Mongan of GI has co- led  these Market Study Visits which have yielded valuable information on the scale and opportunities in these markets. While the  GEE2 project was adversely impacted by Covid travel restrictions,    member companies  have developed business agreements and revenues in these markets, as well as establishing an effective network among GEE2 members.

In Ireland, the potential of Geothermal Energy is being investigated and promoted by Geological Survey Ireland, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, iCRAG  and the Geothermal Association of Ireland.

The absence of a regulatory framework has hindered geothermal energy  development. In contrast to the EU average of 23%, Ireland relies on only 6.3% of renewables for its final energy consumption for heating and cooling while Sweden leads at 66%.

Climate Action initiatives have refocused attention on the sector and has seen the inclusion of GE for District Heating in the Climate Action Plan 2021. A number of policy documents have been published in recent years including a GSI Assessment of Geothermal Energy for District Heating in Ireland; a 2020 Non-Technical Roadmap for a Policy and Regulatory Framework and a Draft Action Plan and Draft Policy Statement in 2021. Legislation is planned under a Geoscience Bill by the end of 2023 to deal inter alia with legal, planning and regulatory issues for the sector.

Geological Survey Ireland has dedicated geothermal energy  staff and provides technical support to government on technical and regulatory issues. GSI is developing a National Geothermal Database– an important element in de-risking projects. It also engages in public information and engagement. The Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geoscience (iCRAG) also conducts research in the area and supports GSI’s public engagement activities.

Promising projects in Ireland include heating at NUIG, a higher than expected geothermal gradient of 38C at TU Dublin’s Grangegoeman campus and two demonstrator projects in Northern Ireland.

Celtic Interconnector; Onshore Investigation by Rubicon

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Project Celtic Interconnector Project; Onshore Cable Route
Date

 

 2019-2022
Location

 

 County Cork, Ireland
Client

 

 Eirgrid & Mott MacDonald Ireland Ltd
Business Sectors

 

 Energy Infrastructure
Services (Technical Disciplines)

 

 Provide archaeological and cultural heritage consultancy input for the Design Team as part of the planning process, to support the completion of assessments for the onshore underground cable route.
Project Objectives/ Outcomes

 

 

 The overall project is a c. 500Km subsea cable linking Ireland to France which will allow the exchange of electricity between the electrical transmission grids in Ireland and France. From the landing point south of Youghal the cable route traverses much of east Cork to the converter station at Knockraha, a distance of c. 35km.

Consideration of the cultural landscape is a statutory requirement of the planning process. Developers and archaeological consultants must meet preservation and conservation obligations, observing best practice, while contributing to the efficient delivery of development and infrastructure.

 

Objectives:

·       Provide a high-level understanding of the key likely significant constraints within each study area. This information, when considered in parallel with all other environmental constraints, assisted in the decision-making process and informed the design and planning for the proposed scheme.

·       Identify and assess the baseline archaeology and cultural heritage environment, evaluate the likely significant impacts that the proposed development will have on this environment and to provide mitigation measures

 

Outcomes

Our expert consultancy team undertook a detailed study of the cartographic and documentary sources for both the cable route and convertor station locations. This study identified all known cultural heritage receptors within and the cable corridor study area, as well as any areas of archaeological potential crossed by the cable route. Additional and supporting field data was collected and collated by our field teams and consultancy staff that examined the scheme environment. When combined, this data informed an assessment of the potential impacts of the scheme on the cultural heritage landscape, which helped to determine the appropriate mitigation measures against significant adverse impacts, assisting our clients in  the selection of an optimum route.
Our Role

 
  • The identification of Cultural Heritage Assets within the scheme landscape
  • The identification of any potential impacts to those assets (i.e Cultural Heritage Receptors)
  • The assessment of the significance of effects resulting from these impacts, and
  • The formulation of mitigation measures for significant adverse effects.
  • Compiling the Cultural Heritage Constraints Study of the cable route and convertor stations
  • Compiling the Cultural Heritage Chapter for EIAR
  • Photo shows Lisglasheen Ring Fort; Lidar & Air Photo
Geoscience Ireland Contact

 

 Colm.Moloney@rubiconheritage.com>

Rubicon Heritage Services ltd

 

GDGeo – EUROPEAN PORT FUNDING STUDY

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Project

GDGeo to undertake an EU-wide study to determine potential funding models to improve Irish port infrastructure to the scale required to achieve the Government target of 7 GW of offshore wind in Irish waters by 2030.

 

Location

13 Irish Major Ports

Client

Wind Energy Ireland

Business Sectors

Wind Energy

Services (Multidisciplinary)

  • Study

Our Role: 

  • Port investigations

Project Objectives/ Outcomes

GDG to undertake an EU-wide study to determine potential funding models to improve Irish port infrastructure to the scale required to achieve the Government target of 7 GW of offshore wind in Irish waters by 2030.

The study highlighted that only one port on the island of Ireland (Belfast) out of 13 major ports has the required infrastructure to support offshore wind.

A key recommendation of the study was for the Irish Government to provide additional support for ports seeking to develop their infrastructure to serve the offshore renewables sector, potentially including state funding

 

 

 

Geoscience Ireland Contact |

Michelle Kelleher, Marketing Manager, Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions +353 87 278 5107 or mkelleher@gdgeo.com

See Wind Energy Report

J.B. Barry & Partners Irish Water Solar PV Programme

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Project

Irish Water Solar PV Programme

Location

Athlone Wastewater Treatment Plant, East Midlands, Ireland

Client

Irish Water

Business Sectors

Renewable Energy

Services (Multidisciplinary)

  • Civil
  • Energy
  • Electrical
  • Structural
  • Environmental

Our Role: 

JBB project deliverables included site assessment and solar array modelling and design, feasibility report, cost benefit analysis, glint & glare assessment, environmental reports and full planning application for a 130kW solar PV array. The proposed 130kW array is estimated to generate 104,000kWh/year which equates to 20% of the electrical energy consumed by the WwTP during the daytime period per year and will reduce CO₂ emissions from the site by 35 tonnes/year.

 

Project Objectives/ Outcomes

The main project objective is for Irish Water as a service provider to contribute to Ireland’s national energy efficiency targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy usage and carbon impacts in line with targets set by the Government for public bodies. As a public sector body, Irish Water is obliged to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2eq emissions and be 50% more energy efficient in the delivery of Water Services by 2030. Irish water has committed to being net zero carbon by 2040.  One of the measures to achieve this Irish Water intend to install solar pv arrays at a large number of their sites in order to reduce dependency on the national grid which will reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The sites assessed range in size from 50kW up to 1.5MW arrays.

Geoscience Ireland Contact | Anne Marie Conibear <aconibear@jbbarry.ie>

ByrneLooby – Hawar Island Submarine Cable

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Project

Hawar Island Submarine Cable, Bahrain

Location

Hawar Island. Bahrain

Client

The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Business Sectors

Marine

Environment

Services (Technical Disciplines)

  • Detailed Analysis

Our Role:

The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain is planning to develop sections of Hawar Island, in line with Bahrain’s National Economic Strategy for 2030. This includes developing the island into a world class tourism destination. In order to support the development of the Island, the electricity supply needs to be upgraded to meet the expected demand.

It is proposed to use three 66kV submarine power cables and one fibre optic cable to connect Hawar to mainland Bahrain. In order to determine the most economical and environmentally feasible route for these cables and to obtain authority approvals.

Results:

ByrneLooby provided consultancy services that included a Feasibility Study, a Marine Cable Route Survey and an Environmental Impact Assessment. We also provided ongoing environmental support during construction.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes

 

Geoscience Ireland Contact | Michael Looby  (mlooby@byrnelooby.com)

Review of Irish Offshore Renewable Energy Sector’s Data & Information Requirements | GDG

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Project Title: 

Review of Irish Offshore Renewable Energy Sector’s Data & Information Requirements |GDG

Location:

Ireland

Client:

Geological Survey Ireland

Date:

2021

Business Sectors: 

Energy

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

Specialist offshore engineering consultancy, Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions (GDG), has published a review of data requirements, in the context of achieving 30 GW installed capacity of offshore renewable energy.

The report finds that achieving this ambitious target, as set out in the Program for Government 2020, will require key enabling process changes and bespoke data collection projects.

Our Role:

The report, which was commissioned by Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) – a Division of The Department of the Environment Climate and Communications (DECC) – follows a two-year study funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) into researching the implications for offshore wind energy developments along the east coast of Ireland. GDG’s input was to analyse the seabed conditions by interrogating different geophysical datasets as well as by collecting new geotechnical information.

The report, which is available to download from INFOMAR website, reviews INFOMAR’s current outputs and capabilities highlighting areas where additional value may be added to programme activities to support the development of ORE in Ireland, in particular offshore wind but also other relevant technologies and associated activities.

The document is aimed at INFOMAR funding and delivery bodies (Geological Survey Ireland [GSI], the Marine Institute, the Department of the Environment Climate and Communications [DECC]) and the ORE industry (developers, consultants, etc.), with a view to improving the understanding of how current INFOMAR programme deliverables can best be used by the Irish ORE sector, how they could be used in the near-term and long-term.

From a history of the INFOMAR programme, survey methods used, and near- and long-term ORE Sector data needs assessment (to 2030), through to G&G Data Gap analysis, industry responsibilities, case study and industry engagement recommendations, the 80-page fully reference document will be an extremely useful resource for any stakeholder involved in the development of renewable wind energy.

The document is available for download here: https://tinyurl.com/8szrvtdz

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Jack Walsh (jwalsh@gdgeo.com)

Ballinrea Solar Farm | Rubicon Heritage

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Project Title: 

Ballinrea Solar Farm | Rubicon Heritage

Date:

2017-2018

Location:

Co. Cork, Ireland

Client: 

Terra Solar II

Business Sectors: 

Energy

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Rubicon Heritage provided consultancy services to the design team for the proposed 34 Ha solar farm project in relation to archaeology, architectural heritage and cultural heritage. This included the preparation of a detailed archaeological impact assessment, commissioning of geophysical survey and liaison with the County archaeologist.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

The development site incorporates three Recorded Monuments (RMPs) which are protected sites. These needed to be precisely located and any related risks in relation to archaeology, architectural heritage and cultural heritage identified and characterised.

A comprehensive mitigation strategy was developed for the site. This included the identification and buffering out of the significant protected sites (to avoid any direct impacts) as well as the identification of actions to be carried out at construction phase to minimise the development impact. These included archaeological monitoring of groundworks and the designation of ‘no dig’ zones within the array layout where above-ground supports only would be used.

This contributed to the successful grant of planning permission for the project.

Our Role: 

  • Provision of advice to the design team in relation to archaeology, architectural heritage and cultural heritage issues and constraints
  • Baseline research
  • Field survey
  • Commission of specialist surveys (such as geophysical survey)
  • Liaison with key stakeholders such as the County archaeologist
  • Preparation of impact assessment and development of mitigation measures for archaeology, architectural heritage and cultural heritage

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Colm Moloney (colm.moloney@rubiconheritage.com)

Kakono 87 MW Hydropower Project | SLR Consulting

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Project Title: 

Kakono 87 MW Hydropower Project | SLR Consulting

Date:

2019 – ongoing

Location:

Tanzania

Client: 

Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

Business Sectors: 

Power, Renewables, Environmental & Social Governance

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Key issues that SLR is addressing:

  • Aquatic ecology;
  • Terrestrial fauna & flora;
  • Critical habitat;
  • Physical & economic displacement;
  • Downstream impacts;
  • Community health and safety;
  • Climate.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

Key deliverables by SLR:

  • ESIA;
  • ESMP;
  • Stakeholder Engagement Plan;
  • Resettlement Action Plan;
  • Eflow Assessment.

Our Role: 

SLR are preparing complementary studies to the existing ESIA prepared by TANESCO, to ensure compliance with World Bank and AfDB protocols and policies.

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Dr. Deirdre Lewis (dlewis@slrconsulting.com)

Jubilee Pool Geothermal Well Drilling | Meehan Drilling, United Kingdom

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Project Title: Jubilee Pool Geothermal Well Drilling

Date: 2019

Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom

Client: Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL)

Business Sectors: Geothermal, Drilling

Services (Technical Disciplines): Dual rotary surface casing installation and down the hole hammer drilling with high pressure compressed air.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes: Meehan Drilling Ltd. was awarded the project to drill and complete a geothermal well. The Jubilee pool is one the of last surviving art deco lidos in the UK and is located on Penzance seafront, Cornwall.

Our Role:  Meehan drilled a 410m-deep geothermal well which will provide enough renewable energy to heat a section of the pool to 35°c. This will mean, for the first time, that the pool will have heated water, transforming it into an all-year-round attraction, which will bring enormous benefits both for the pool and the economy of Penzance, Cornwall.

Geoscience Ireland Contact: jeff@meehandrilling.com

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