The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) today announced the winners of the 2020 SEAI Energy Awards during an online awards ceremony which saw Kildare based company, Green Generation Ltd., take home the Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy Award.
Green Generation offer an excellent example of the circular economy working in practice. The company is using anaerobic digestion to convert agricultural and food waste to renewable energy. Green Generation harnesses natural microbial activity to break down organic waste into biogas and an organic fertiliser by-product. Half of the biogas is used to produce renewable electricity which is sent to the national grid. The rest is upgraded to ‘biomethane’ which is injected into the natural gas grid. Unsold food from Tesco is fed to the anaerobic digester, and the biogas generated is sold back to Tesco for use in their stores. The plastic packaging from the food is processed to manufacture durable plastic products, using ‘waste’ heat from electricity generation and finally the digestate from the process is once again used as fertiliser to grow food.
Upon receiving the Award, Billy Costello, Director of Green Generation said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy Award at this year’s SEAI Energy Awards. It means an awful lot to this company and it is a credit to the staff who have put such effort into it down the years. I really am happy for them and for the positive impact our work is having on the environment.”
A total of ten awards were presented to individuals, businesses, communities, and public sector organisations in recognition of their commitment and dedication to sustainable energy and climate action. The online awards ceremony was hosted by broadcast journalist, Andrea Gilligan, who was joined by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan T.D. for a special interview.
Commenting on the leadership shown by all the finalists and winners, Minister Ryan said: “The SEAI Energy Awards celebrate success, leadership and ambition in sustainable energy. I believe Ireland’s energy transition is going to be good for us as a country and our people are going to be good at it. We have real skills and capabilities and it starts with everyone in their own way making change, demanding change and delivering it. I congratulate those participating in the SEAI Energy Awards who are committed to the change that’s needed and are already helping to create a cleaner energy future.”
SEAI received 124 entries to the 2020 SEAI Energy Awards with projects delivering combined energy savings of €42million. Commenting, William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, said: “Despite the significant challenges this year, the volume and quality of entries reflects an unwavering commitment of individuals, and organisations to sustainable energy and climate action. The next decade will demand accelerated and significant change in every part of our society to reduce our carbon emissions. SEAI will support those who want to take such action. The commitment shown by each of our finalists is hugely inspiring and now we want others to see how they too can benefit from sustainable energy.”
Other 2020 SEAI Energy Award winners include; Seamus Hoyne (Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Energy); Jessica Kelly (Emerging Sustainable Energy Champion); Astellas Ireland Kerry Plant (Energy Team of the Year); Danone Wexford (Large Business – Exemplary Energy Management); Terra Spirits & Liqueurs, Cavan (SME- Exemplary Energy Management); Dublin City Council (Public Sector – Energy Leadership); Dunleer Sustainable Energy Community (Inspirational Energy Community); SSE Airtricity Energy Services (Energy in Buildings); and NUI Galway (Excellence in Energy Research and Innovation).
For full details on all winning projects, visit www.seai.ie.
