Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
60. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the consideration that he has given to converting oil heating systems to hydrotreated vegetable oil biofuel instead of kerosene and other fossil fuels; if he agrees that this could play a role in the decarbonisation of domestic heating systems and could supplement the installation of heat pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42297/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Heat Study is a comprehensive analysis of the options for reaching net zero emissions from the heating sector by 2050 and contains detailed analysis which will now facilitate the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050.
The Study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwelling and business types. This included the use of liquid biofuels, solid biomass, biogases and other technologies such as heat pumps and district heating networks. The Study finds that bioliquids are not a cost effective option for heat in any sector in any of the scenarios that were considered but that heat pumps play a significant role in decarbonising heat. The recommendation of the Study is that heat pumps are the correct decarbonisation path for domestic heating systems, with district heating also being a competitive option that can be widely deployed.
Liquid renewable fuels may be best used in transport systems that are more difficult to decarbonise and their use should be incentivised in the transport energy market.
