Biogas Production Considered at Enniskillen Renewable Energy Event

Rising energy costs and the opportunity to diversify their farm business has led Blakiston Houston Estates to develop a biogas plant at their Reynolds Farm in Dundonald. The inputs to the plant will be slurry from their own livestock enterprises and a range of silages grown on their own farm. The plant has recently been commissioned and is generating electricity round the clock.

The experiences of those involved on the ground in bringing the project to completion and the difficulties faced will be shared at the ‘Practical On-farm Renewable Energy’ event which will be held at CAFRE’s Enniskillen Campus on 22 February 2012.  

In addition to biogas production, there will be a series of seminars throughout the day on each of the other main renewable energy technologies; wind power, biomass production and utilisation, solar hot water, micro-hydro, and heat pumps. A second series of seminars will deal with many of the issues facing those considering a green energy source.

Topics covered will include the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), grid connection, planning, NI Renewable Obligation Certificates (NIROC’s), business planning, taxation, as well as finance and funding options. In addition there will be a Trade Exhibition and the tours of the biomass installation at the Campus. The event will run from 1.30pm until 10.00pm. For further details contact Connor Maguire at 028 6634 4853 or connor.maguire@dardni.gov.uk

Ivor Lowry and Jim Torney of Blakiston Houston Estates with Nigel Moore, CAFRE (centre) at the new on-farm biogas plant which they will discuss at the renewable energy event at Enniskillen Campus on 22 February.