RASLRES – the Regional Approaches to Stimulating Local Renewable Energy Solutions project – brings together partners from Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Sweden. The project aims to increase the use of renewable energy technologies in rural economies in the NPP region. Initial focus will be on the bio-energy sector. To do this,... More...

RASLRES – the Regional Approaches to Stimulating Local Renewable Energy Solutions project – brings together partners from Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Sweden. The project aims to increase the use of renewable energy technologies in rural economies in the NPP region. Initial focus will be on the bio-energy sector.

To do this, RASLRES will design, pilot and market the best support products and services for creating and sustaining local renewable bio- energy markets in rural areas. In this way, the project will help markets provide sustainable economic growth for local employment, businesses and revenue.

RASLRES will design and deliver a number of pilot projects that will be used to inform an overall NPP model to stimulate  renewable bio-energy use in rural areas. The project will focus on bio-energy fuels – such as energy from wood, energy from crops (specifically reed canary grass) and energy from marine biomass technologies.

Using the pilot projects as trial areas, RASLRES will also incorporate measurement tools that can be used for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. In this way it is intended to investigate how to support  rural energy businesses in lowering CO2 emissions and also reducing business costs through realising the offset value of these efforts.

Finally, the project will establish a network for transnational exchange of knowledge, policy initiatives, technology and methodologies, which can later be used across the entire NPP area.

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The main objective of the project is to increase the deployment and uptake of locally produced renewable energy solutions in the NPP area, through the development and implementation of targeted Market Stimulation Models (MSM's). This will be addressed through several sub-objectives: Increase market awareness and information across the supply... More...

The main objective of the project is to increase the deployment and uptake of locally produced renewable energy solutions in the NPP area, through the development and implementation of targeted Market Stimulation Models (MSM's). This will be addressed through several sub-objectives:

• Increase market awareness and information across the supply chain e.g. regional market profiles, information campaign addressing needs of fuel producer to end user
• Increasing market deployment e.g. advice on installations, feasibility studies for end users.
• Developing integrated fuel supply chains e.g. set-up of private forestry producer groups in identified resource cluster areas, dynamic database of regional fuel supply. (Pilot and demonstration actions)
• Providing supportive policy and regulation framework, and working to identify gaps and innovations within local, regional and national levels.
• Identify technology transfer between regions and implement this in the pilot renewable energy business models
• Create detailed resource profiles that help define the parameters of sustainable and commercial renewable energy business and supply chain models
• Define and implement the most appropriate public and private sector framework including its role and engagement
• Define the economic, social and environmental impact on host communities
• Contribute to policy planning and learning regarding the promotion and deployment of renewable energy models in rural areas including the role of public procurement of renewable energies.
• Dissemination of learning and results to a wide audience in the NPP region and beyond and production of a step by step handbook for business model development and implementation.
• Create a number of self sustaining renewable energy supply chain and business models that will be commercially viable, innovative and sustainable enterprises in rural areas.
• Development of a model for monitoring and calculation of Green house gas emissions and reductions as a result of the implementation of the project actions.
• Develop and promote sustainable, innovative and competitive rural based enterprise models in emerging renewable energy sectors that will be transferable to other regions of Europe.
• Develop the operational and policy incentive environment for renewable energy deployment in rural areas by undertaking a comprehensive review of current policies, best practice and developing models for more favourable policy initiatives, relevant to the project theme.
• Strengthen the co-operation between different interest groups and stakeholders (SMEs, research institutions, public bodies, trade representative associations, third level colleges, local communities and education sector). This will include the establishment of regional / national networks of stakeholders who build best practice, participate in knowledge exchange and continue to function beyond the NPP period. 

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Main Expected Results Establish wood fuels and marine biomass as viable alternative to fossil fuels, by making them a real cost competitive alternative in the NPP area and raising the awareness along the whole supply chain. Establish target levels of economical production and usage for small and medium scale deployment projects, based on market... More...

Main Expected Results

• Establish wood fuels and marine biomass as viable alternative to fossil fuels, by making them a real cost competitive alternative in the NPP area and raising the awareness along the whole supply chain.
• Establish target levels of economical production and usage for small and medium scale deployment projects, based on market profiles and fuel resource assessments
• Implementation of strategies for overcoming the barriers to deployment of renewable energy systems in the NPP rural areas, based on the results from pilot actions of novel production / end user relationships carried out in the project.
• Transnational exchange of knowledge, expertise, technology and methodologies.
• Extensive information, awareness and promotional campaign in the NPP region and beyond.
• Develop MSM products for renewable fuel sources to enable policy makers to viably grow such value chains in their jurisdictions.

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Since starting the RASLRES project in late 2009 significant progress has been made against the planned actions in terms of launching an effective transnational partnership and initiating key actions to enable programme outputs to be achieved in the regional renewable bio energy sector. In terms of communications, RASLRES has received widespread PR... More...

Since starting the RASLRES project in late 2009 significant progress has been made against the planned actions in terms of launching an effective transnational partnership and initiating key actions to enable programme outputs to be achieved in the regional renewable bio energy sector.

In terms of communications, RASLRES has received widespread PR and media coverage, through key events such as the Ministerial Launch of the Wood Energy Pilot Programme in Ireland in April 2010, and the subsequent International Launch of the RASLRES project that was held in September 2010. RASLRES continues its information sharing though its high quality project website for the project www.raslres.eu and various social media.

With regard to the policy element of the project, Action Renewables designed and distributed a template for National Bio-Energy Policy Analysis, as well as a completed draft for Northern Ireland. Norsjö Municipality have also completed their policy template. Work has commenced on the review of relevant EU policy in relation to the development, stimulus and support of renewable energy deployment.

In terms of practical support to regional businesses, following the receipt of 125 enquiries of interest in engaging with the RASLRES wood energy pilots, 7 pilot projects were chosen in the Western Region of Ireland and engagement with the 7 pilot projects began in April 2010. They potentially represent over 23 MW’s of new bio-energy in the region, which if realised fully would increase significantly the total sector in the region. Various levels of support were provided to each of the pilots during the period from by the appointed support services team (Steve Luker and Associates), depending on their level of requirement. Furthermore, the wider wood energy market in West Ireland was engaged with through the Wood Energy Support Services workshop that took place in Claremorris in November 2010.

Action Renewables and Western Development Commission delivered a design workshop for the Market Stimulation Model, in which led to the development of an outline of the MSM. Feedback from the partners was incorporated, which led to the development and issue of a tender for the development of a Generic Bio-Energy Market Stimulation model (Web Based Tool).

With regard to emissions, the CO2 domestic offset pilot is in the early design phase with ERI. The majority of work to date has focused on the reviewing measurement and forecasting methods and their application within a rural context. The formation of particulates during biomass burning and the impacts associated with these are also being reviewed.

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