Heating accounts for one third of Ireland‘s total energy demand, with 90% of this demand still met by fossil fuels, new data from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has revealed.
According to the SEAI’s National Comprehensive Heating and Cooling Assessment (HCA), heating is responsible for close to a quarter of Ireland’s national greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the country’s ‘biggest climate and energy security challenges’.
In addition, around 80% of heating in Ireland is dependent on imported energy sources, raising energy security concerns.
The assessment found that a ‘rapid transition’ to low-carbon technologies including electrification, district heating, renewable gases and waste heat recovery could significantly reduce heating emissions under a high-ambition decarbonisation scenario.
‘Timely insight’
“Providing a comprehensive overview of the potential for efficient heating and cooling in Ireland, this report also gives us a timely insight into how Ireland can reduce its import dependency on fossil fuels for heating,” commented Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien T.D.
“The report highlights how this can be achieved through energy efficiency measures, electrification, district heating and incentivising indigenous renewable fuels for heat such as biomethane.
“We have made major strides in decarbonising many areas of our society and our economy, including in particular the electricity sector. While we are making progress in decarbonising our built environment, more is needed. This report sets out pathways to achieve this.”
The report identifies electrification as the “backbone” of Ireland’s future heat infrastructure, with electricity and ambient heat projected to supply up to 72% of final heat demand by 2055.
Elsewhere, renewable fuels such as biomethane, hydrogen and bioliquids are expected to play more targeted roles in sectors that are difficult to electrify.
The report also identifies district heating as a ‘major opportunity’ for Ireland, particularly in urban areas and across commercial and public buildings. According to modelling, around 4.6 TWh of building heat demand could be delivered more cost-effectively through district heating networks than through individual heat pumps.
Energy independence
“We need a clear, long-term heat strategy, which puts Ireland on a path to energy independence and recognises areas for investment,” added William Walsh, CEO of SEAI. “District heating for example, a central component of many energy systems in other countries, is a major strategic opportunity for Ireland.
“It will require a big effort, and we must do it in a way that protects our most vulnerable, but this assessment helps provide insights to how it can be done.” Read more here.
