Alternative fuels are the hot topic at bioenergy day

Over 5,000 people are expected to travel to the free 'Bioenergy '07' event at Oak Park, Carlow, tomorrow.

Over 5,000 people are expected to travel to the free 'Bioenergy '07' event at Oak Park, Carlow, tomorrow.

The event will also feature new boilers and stoves to handle the miscanthus, willow, grain, wood chip, briquettes, sawdust pellets and recycled wood to which people are looking to provide alternatives to fossil fuels.

Ireland's leading product suppliers, installers, manufacturers, information providers, service technology providers and fuel experts will be available to share their expertise and experiences.

Jointly organised by Sustainable Energy Ireland, Coford, the forestry research organisation and Teagasc, there will be workshops, study tours, practical field demonstrations and product launches.

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Over 70 exhibitors will present the latest innovation and products in bioenergy and biomass and heating systems. The event will take place on the research farm which has been carrying out work into this area for decades.

Teagasc researchers grew Ireland's first crops of miscanthus at the farm. Some of the grass will be harvested and processed as part of the open day.

Increasing energy from renewable energy resources and in particular bioenergy is national policy.

A recent Government White Paper and the introduction of financial incentives reflect the Government's commitment to safe and secure energy supplies.

The area has the potential to redirect cash into the economy and, according to a recent report, sustain over 4,000 new full-time jobs in fuel supply.

Ireland's dependence on imported energy has grown to 90 per cent and imported oil remains the dominant energy source, with power generation and industrial production critically dependent on gas and oil.