The Government has been called on to commit significant funding to alternative fuels and find ways to curb the use of SUVs.
Dr Mike Hopkins
International and Irish scientists will address the conference over the next two days and will discuss alternative fuels. DCU is already involved in a wide variety of biofuels research and the use of wind and wave electricity generation.
Dr Mike Hopkins, who is leading the development of sustainable energy in the university said greater attention needs to be paid to the energy consumption of SUVs.
"If one out of 10 people buys an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) rather than a standard 1800cc car then the extra oil required to run them is more than wind power and hydro-electricity together can save," he said.
"All the government departments must work together to develop a coherent and well planned reduction in our oil dependency."
Dr Hopkins said "The impending release of the Green paper from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources must reflect the importance of research and the role of Universities in changing our dangerous habit of burning fossil fuels."
Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan has called on more farmers to consider diversifying into energy crops.
She told the 50th Bansha Agricultural and Industrial Show in Co Tipperary that there had only been 250 applications for the EU Energy Crop Scheme payment of €45 so far this year. She acknowledged that the current payment was insufficient.
"Farmers have shown that they are interested in this area but it is equally clear that farmers will require an adequate return if this interest is to be translated into action," she said. "At present, production of energy crops in Ireland is relatively small as currently the economics of energy crops are marginal compared to conventional crop tillage.
"As this is still a relatively new field and requires adaptations in farming systems, incentives must be made available to encourage farmers to grow more energy crops."
The minister said the Government is currently drafting the National Bio-Energy Strategy, which is due to be completed by the end of 2006.