MEMBER PRESS RELEASE – HRS optimistic about Irish Biomethane Strategy

MEMBER PRESS RELEASE – HRS optimistic about Irish Biomethane Strategy

By Matt Hale. International Sales & Marketing Director, HRS Heat Exchangers

Despite recent reports that the Irish Government’s Biomethane Strategy has been delayed until the end of the year¹, HRS Heat Exchangers remain hopeful that this important policy document will provide the impetus needed to make Ireland a leader in the use of anaerobic digestion (AD) for the generation of renewable energy and management of organic wastes and livestock manures.

The strategy, which was initially expected to be published at the end of October, is anticipated to underpin the development of up to 200 AD plants by 2030. While any delay in publication is understandably frustrating, if it ensures that the resulting strategy is robust and delivers the numerous benefits that the biogas industry is capable of, then the wait will have been worthwhile.

We are particularly pleased to hear Redmond McEvoy, Bioenergy Principal Officer at the Department of Agriculture acknowledge that digestate (a renewable biofertiliser produced by the AD process) can help Irish agriculture reduce its use of chemical nitrogen, contributing to more climate-friendly farming. He is absolutely correct when he says, “Without farmers, this industry won’t work.”

Paddy Phelan, Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) President, is equally correct when he states: “We need all renewable technologies and renewable fuels to be deployed as part of a broad renewable energy policy in Ireland… Together, we can overcome challenges and seize the opportunities presented by bioenergy to create a greener, more sustainable, and resilient Ireland for future generations.”²

Whatever policy support is given to the biogas sector, it is imperative that AD plants maximise efficiency at every stage of the process, for both economic and environmental reasons. Approaches such as heat regeneration, and the use of bespoke systems such as the HRS BDS (Biogas Dehumidification System), DCS (Digestate Concentration System) and DPS (Digestate Pasteurisation System) will all be required to maximise the opportunities that Paddy Phelan has identified.

¹ Robb, S., Biomethane strategy delayed until end of year in Irish Farmers Journal at https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/biomethane-strategy-delayed-until-end-of-year-788320

² Sapp, M., IrBEA calling for bioenergy’s integration in Irish policy and tech development in Biofuels Digest at https://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2023/10/17/irbea-calling-for-bioenergys-integration-in-irish-policy-and-tech-development/

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About HRS Heat Exchangers
Located in the UK, HRS Heat Exchangers is part of the EIL Group (Exchanger Industries Limited) which operates at the forefront of thermal technology. HRS offers innovative heat transfer solutions worldwide across a diverse range of industries. With more than 40 years’ experience in the food, environmental, energy, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors, specialising in the design and manufacture of an extensive range of turnkey systems and components, incorporating our corrugated tubular and scraped surface heat exchanger technology, HRS products are compliant with global design and industry standards. HRS has a network of offices throughout the world: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Spain, USA, Malaysia and India; with manufacturing plants in India, Spain and Canada. www.hrs-heatexchangers.com

For UK media enquiries about HRS Heat Exchangers please contact:
Yenni Maelianawati, Senior Marketing Manager, 3 Abloy House, Hatters Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 8AJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 232 335
Direct Email: yenni@uk.hrs-he.com
Email for publication: info@uk.hrs-he.com

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