Burning of fossil fuels is believed by a large number o f scientists to be a major causeudof the increases in greenhouse gas emissions and to the change in the Earth’s climateudsystem.udFossil fuels especially oil and natural gas are rapidly depleting resources. Worldudprices of natural gas and oil have risen sharply in the last number of years. Ireland isudheavy dependent on imported fuel especially oil, natural gas and coal for its energyudrequirements. Renewable energy can play an important role in relieving thisuddependency. By examining Irish government policy and programmes this study showsudthat renewable energy is an underdeveloped sector and that renewable energy policyudhas focused largely on the production of electricity with little attention to heatudproduction. One o f renewable energy options available in this country is short rotationudcoppice willow grown for energy purposes. The willow wood chip produced is usedudas a fuel in heating systems.udThis study investigated the economics of growing willow coppice in Ireland. Thisudenterprise is at present at a pioneering stage with high establishment and harvestingudcosts. Government financial assistance is required to encourage farmers to grow thisudcrop. The application of sewage sludge to willow cropland with an associated gate feeudoffers additional revenue to this enterprise. In a cost comparison o f a lOOkw heatingudinstallation, wood chip heating systems were shown to have lower heating costs perudyear than wood pellet, oil and natural gas heating systems.udCodes o f practice and publications on all health and safety aspects of growing,udharvesting and storing short rotation coppice willow are not available in this country.udA check list o f the main health and safety issues associated with this crop wasuddeveloped to aid those involved in the industry.
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