The challenge of sustainable transport in Ireland

The following is an abridged version of a presentation given by John Campion, Executive Director, Sustainability, to a recent joint ESB/SEI conference on Electric Vehicles. One of the major challenges facing Ireland is in meeting our CO2 reduction commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. In 2005, Ireland produced 70 million tonnes of CO2.

ESB and other large industries accounted for 22 million tonnes. This is managed under an EU-wide scheme called the Emissions Trading System (ETS). Under this scheme, the EU gives carbon permits to industries, but reduces them year-on-year to ensure the 2020 target is met (this is called Cap and Trade).

The other 48 million tonnes of carbon are accounted for by:

• Transport – 13 million tonnes
• Agriculture – 19 million tonnes
• Other (mainly buildings) – 16million tonnes

Ireland has been given a target to reduce the 48m tonnes to 38m tonnes by 2020, but because of recent economic and population growth, the current forecast, even with supporting policies, will leave us with a gap of 7m tonnes.

It is very diffi cult to achieve savings in agricultural, but buildings are already heavily targeted for carbon reductions, which means we must give an even greater emphasis to transport. In fact, we need radical solutions.

ESB’s strategic framework, announced last year, clearly sets out our targets for carbon reduction both in our power station emissions (ETS) and in our day-to-day business (non-ETS). In addition, ESB is specifi cally taking a leading role in addressing the critical issue of CO2 from transport both within the company and at a national level.

Company bio-fuel initiative
ESB has developed a partnership with the University of Limerick in a pilot project which introduces the use of bio-fuels to ESB’s commercial vehicles, which form one of the largest fl eets in the country. This initial phase involves almost 100 biodiesel-powered vehicles, ranging from small vans to large four-wheel drive hoists. The biodiesel used by these vehicles is provided by Munster-based Eco Ola and is sourced from rape seed grown as a rotation crop by Irish farmers.

The biodiesel is being trialled at various mix levels, ranging between 30% and 100%, to ascertain the best mix for widespread use in the future. The University of Limerick will monitor and analyse the performance and maintenance of the bio-fuel vehicles over an 18-month period. When rolled out across the fl eet of 2,600 vehicles, the biodiesel will substantially reduce carbon emissions helping Ireland achieve its Kyoto protocol targets. While recognising that bio-fuels alone will not solve Ireland’s transport emission problems, it is an important step.

Electric vehicles for ESB Fleet
The Government has set a target of 10% of the national fl eet to be electrifi ed by 2010 and ESB is taking a lead role in working to meet this target through research, developments and partnership arrangements. The technology of electric vehicles is developing all the time and the following table summaries those developments in comparison with conventional vehicles.

The ongoing development of battery technology and the provision of a charging point infrastructure are key elements in the roll out of electric vehicles for Ireland. ESB recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government and with Renault-Nissan that will facilitate developments in electric vehicles, enabling more detailed and precise planning around infrastructure, support mechanisms and the potential benefi ts accruing.

For ESB specifi cally, there are issues that need to be explored and solutions developed around the provision of a charging infrastructure, implications on load requirements and the economic impact of electric vehicles on electricity generation. The potential for night/off-peak charging greatly improves the utilisation of generation and network assets and facilitates greater wind contribution on the system.

In ESB, we have already taken delivery of a number of electric vehicles for trials, demonstration and promotion with more, including plugin hybrids, to be delivered during 2009.

Electric ESB Van
The roll-out of the infrastructure which allow electric vehicles to be recharged throughout Ireland is just one component of the recently announced job creation programme with an estimated 600 jobs planned for this initiative.

It is clear that the issue of transport emissions needs to be tackled if Ireland is to achieve the targets set under the Kyoto Protocol. ESB is playing its part both through short-term initiatives and in partnership with Government and others in mapping out a strategy to create a more sustainable future for us all.