Liquid Gas - Making the 'Just Transition' more sustainable for rural Ireland
Liquid Gas Ireland is delighted to launch 'Liquid Gas - Making the 'Just Transition' more sustainable for rural Ireland', which sets out how lower carbon renewable fuels like liquid gas (LPG) and BioLPG, offer significant potential to assist rural Ireland to decarbonise.
Urgent need to embrace a wider suite of options as part of a 'Just Transition' to decarbonise rural Ireland
A 'Just Transition' means a fair and inclusive transition towards climate neutrality, where no one is left behind. Choice and affordability of heating solutions will be key to delivering this. Considering a range of alternative energy sources, including LPG and BioLPG, along with improved energy efficiency measures, can offer an effective way to move rural homes and businesses away from oil and solid fuels to cleaner, lower carbon options, while improving local air quality.
The role of renewable ready gas boilers in a 'Just Transition' to drive greater energy efficiency and decarbonisation
The Government has set a target to retrofit 500,000 homes to achieve a BER of B2 or higher by the end of 2030. It also aims to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing premises to replace older, less efficient heating systems during the same period.
As part of its new report, LGI commissioned research into the alternative pathways available to a typical Irish property archetype using kerosene oil to transition to a BER B2 or higher. The findings showed that LPG and BioLPG can offer a more cost-competitive pathway compared with heat pumps in achieving an improved energy efficiency rating, whilst also delivering low annual carbon emissions.
The research looked at a D1 BER rated one-story bungalow operating on kerosene oil with pre-existing baseline renovations complete including roof insulation, floor insulation and double glazing. It showed that a BER uplift up to B1 was achievable by switching to a renewable ready gas boiler with additional fabric energy upgrades. This included cavity wall insulation and adding room thermostat temperature controls. The combined upfront cost was €11,331, before individual SEAI energy grants are applied.
Liquid Gas Ireland 'Just Transition' report launch event - Wednesday, 25th January 2023
To mark the launch of 'Liquid Gas - Making the 'Just Transition' more sustainable for rural Ireland', LGI hosted a breakfast briefing event on Wednesday, 25th January 2023. The briefing included an expert panel discussion on how a 'Just Transition' to decarbonisation in rural Ireland, can be done in a sustainable way. The discussion was chaired by Editor of Agriland, Stella Meehan, who was joined by:
- Muireann Lynch - Senior Research Officer (Energy Economics) at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
- Duncan Osborne - CEO of Calor Gas Ireland.
- John Rooney - Managing Director at Flogas Ireland.
- Deputy Barry Cowen TD - Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly.
The consumer experience of switching from oil to LPG & BioLPG
Consumer Case Study 1: Ronan & Mary Berry, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Switchover story - Oil to LPG with an option to switch to a BioLPG blend
Ronan and Mary’s home originally ran on an old oil-fired boiler system when they moved in three years ago. Coming from their previous house which had piped gas, they decided to research cleaner and more efficient options to switch from oil. As their new home was located off the national gas grid, they investigated switching to LPG after hearing an advertisement about it on the radio and took it from there.
Consumer Case Study 2: Liam Sheedy, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Switchover story - Oil to LPG and onto a BioLPG blend
Previously, Liam had an oil home heating system but wanted to change to a cleaner and more efficient fuel for his home and the environment. Liam and his family also found that their house was taking too long to heat and provide hot water. They wanted an alternative home heating system that would heat their home on demand. Liam started to consider alternative home heating options and researched LPG. After contacting an LPG provider, Liam assessed the benefits of switching from oil to LPG. Liam’s Registered Gas Installer (RGI) visited his home to discuss the best tank location and the necessary siting guidelines for their home.
Consumer Case Study 3: Nick & Tricia Southwell, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Switchover story - Oil to 100% BioLPG
After moving from the UK where they were used natural gas from the grid, Nick and Tricia were looking for an option to replace the oil-fired heating system in their home. After researching viable options available to them online, they decided a switch to BioLPG would be a good fit given their home is located off the national gas grid. The only other alternative option available to Nick and Trisha was a deep retrofit for heat pump installation which was economically and practically unviable for the age of their house and where they lived.
Consumer Case Study 4: Robert & Michelle Cannon, Loughrea, Co. Galway
Switchover story - Oil to LPG with eventual plans to make fabric energy upgrades to the house
Robert and Michelle recently purchased their first home which is an older home in need of some renovations. Upon moving into their new home, they unfortunately found that the old oil system was starting to break down. After conducting some research on other home heating options and seeing an advertisement on social media, they decided to find out more about LPG. Delighted to learn that LPG produces considerably less carbon emissions than oil, Robert and Michelle soon decided to switch their old oil-fired heating system to clean burning LPG as one of the first upgrades they would make to their new home.