The event, which takes place at 7.30pm on Monday 1st March, will feature a talk by environmental consultant Peter Taylor, founding partner of CarbonPlan.
Peter will show how growing modern energy crops on the Island could directly benefit local agriculture whilst making a significant contribution to energy supply and economic development.
The presentation will reveal some very interesting results from his recent research.
He comments, "Energy crops are a massive unrecognised resource for the Island. With little impact on current agricultural output, energy crops could produce enough gas to power Pulrose for 63 days; where as the maximum energy output from onshore wind turbines is envisaged to be not more than the equivalent of 44 days".
Peter will also show how energy crops can be turned into fuel pellets that could be profitably exported to UK power stations and how, with minimal Government support, this could kick start the use of locally grown and produced pellets to heat domestic and commercial buildings across the Island.
Such moves would create new jobs, keep many millions of pounds circulating in the local economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 30,000 tonnes per year.
With such benefits available from proven technology and few planning or grid integration problems; the presentation will ask: Why are energy crops are so rarely discussed in terms of future energy options for the Island? And is the Government’s approach to future energy policy part of the problem?
The presentation will draw many of its facts and figures from an academic thesis Peter prepared for the Graduate School of the Environment at the University of East London. However, the content and style of the presentation has been designed to ensure that it will be of interest to both PAG members and other folk with an interest in the economic output, Agriculture or Energy policy of the Island.
CarbonPlan is a sustainability consultancy that specialises in delivering sustainable architecture design advice and assessment to some of the largest house builders, construction companies and local authorities in the UK. Although working in a 'green arena', Peter has a 25 year background with multinational companies and is a strong believer in the ability of free markets and private equity to deliver the most cost effective solutions to public infrastructure projects.
A long-term resident of the Island, he has featured in several Manx Radio programmes and most recently was invited to address meetings of the Chartered Institute of Engineers in both Jersey and Guernsey.
Roger Tomlinson of PAG stated, "The need to diversify the economy and stimulate agriculture is a challenge which can be met in part by developing a new biomass crop.
"The government is investing millions in ensuring imported gas can be piped to many more households. Gas is a finite fossil fuel.
"If only a fraction of this money was diverted into establishing our own biomass fuel derivitive we would be less vulnerable to price fluctuations and potential supply interruption.
"This is about jobs that create wealth and revenue on Island in an environmentally sound manner."
The public meeting takes place in the Manx Legion Club, Market Hill, Douglas. As with previous PAG events, it is free and open to everyone.
