Title

What policies should be implemented to develop a gaseous transport industry in Ireland?

Authors

Niamh Power, Civil, Structural, Env. Engineering, Munster Technological University, Cork, IrelandFollow
Daniel Goulding, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland Bord Gáis Networks, Gasworks Road, Cork, IrelandFollow
C Gallagher, Brookfield Renewable Energy, City Quater, Lapps Quay, Cork, Ireland

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Publication Details

Environmental Science & Policy

Abstract

Gaseous transport has been successful in European countries such as Germany, Italy and Sweden. However, the majority of European countries have seen little market penetration of gas-powered vehicles. The utilisation of gaseous transport fuels in Ireland, like in many countries, is currently overlooked as a sustainable option to satisfying the European Union renewable transport target of 10% by 2020. A blend of Compressed Natural Gas and its renewable form biomethane (bio-CNG) presents a sustainable alternative which can diversify Ireland's transport energy portfolio. With transport fossil fuel prices at an all-time high; this paper focuses on analysing the bio-CNG policies that can best influence the Irish transport sector through strategic penetration in the captive fleet market. This paper identifies the main barriers to bio-CNG development in Ireland and proposes an aligned strategic solution to deliver a gaseous transport market. A bio-CNG roadmap is devised which provides Ireland with a platform to assist satisfying renewable transport targets through captive fleets. The findings of this paper highlight that bio-CNG has the potential to offer fleet operators a 22% financial savings versus diesel. Finally, the bio-CNG roadmap can meet 1% of Ireland's renewable transport target by fuelling 14,000 commercial gaseous vehicles.

Recommended Citation

Goulding, D., Gallagher, C. & Power, N.M., 2014. What policies should be implemented to develop a gaseous transport industry in Ireland? Environmental Science & Policy, 44, pp.215–225. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2014.08.004.