asked the Minister for Transport and Power if any moneys are available to promote such projects as heat storage, gassification of coal and the storage of natural gas; and if there is any evidence that the extraction of oil from domestic oil shale would be useful in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Energy.
63.
There are no funds available to me to promote the subjects referred to by the Deputy, but of course, research may be carried out in relation to them by industry or the universities under the general aegis of the National Science Council.
We keep in touch with energy research elsewhere and we will, of course, have the benefits of relevant projects undertaken under the research and development programme of the European Communities and the International Energy Agency.
Under a scheme operated by the Industrial Development Authority grants are available for research and development projects by manufacturing firms involving a significant technical input aimed at conserving energy in manufacturing processes. The grants are at the level of 50 per cent of eligible expenditure, subject to a maximum of £15,000 for any one project.
I am informed that domestic deposits of oil shale are not of sufficient size to warrant exploitation. In any case, an efficient technology for the exploitation of shale deposits in this way has not yet been developed.
64.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if solar energy technology is now available to private householders or industry in this country.
I am aware that certain types of solar heat collectors for domestic water heating are available commercially in this country and have been incorporated in a limited number of private dwellings. I understand, however, that solutions to certain energy storage problems will be required before solar energy can have a large impact on the total energy picture. We are keeping in touch with research and development on this subject and on other possibilities for new energy sources.