Transport
Fuel consumption in private transport is becoming one of the largest consumers of energy in Ireland and one of the biggest polluters. Even if the whole island was planted with biofuel crops, several times over, there would not be enough fuel to match current consumption by the sector.
In my opinion, it is no coincidence that there are so many cars on the road at the same time that many believe that peak oil is occuring. The problem with providing a great road infrastructure is that not many people will be able to afford to bring a car to work everyday in the future. Prudent planning would ensure that a public transport network fuelled by renewable electricity and biofuels could the missing piece of the jigsaw.
About a century ago, Ireland had 5,500 kilometres of railways. The current status is less than half that amount, with a large unserviced area around the border area between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To get between two towns on the west coast of Ireland by train; Sligo and Galway (approximately 120km as the crow flies) takes a rail journey of about 460km.
Click this wikipedia link for a changing map of railways in Ireland over time.
To read about BEO's report for West on Track, click image, above.
Biofuels in Ireland
Biofuels that might be examined as a source of energy include those generated from ethanol and those from biodiesel. The following are some but not all of the options available;
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Biodiesel from rapeseed
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Pure Plant Oil from rapeseed
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Biodiesel from RVO (Recovered Vegetable Oil)
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Biodiesel from Tallow
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Ethanol from Wheat
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Ethanol from Sugar Beet
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Ethanol from other crops (e.g. Miscanthus, Hemp)