The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has today (Wednesday, October 28) announced the winners of the 2020 SEAI Energy Awards.
The online awards ceremony saw Kildare-based company Green Generation Ltd, which uses anaerobic digestion to convert agricultural and food waste to renewable energy, take home the Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy award.
Kerry-based pharmaceutical company, Astellas Ireland, won the top prize of Energy Team of the Year.
A total of 10 awards were presented to individuals, businesses, communities and public sector organisations in recognition of their “commitment and dedication to sustainable energy and climate action”.
Green Generation
Based in Nurney, adjacent to a connected pig farm, Green Generation harnesses natural microbial activity to break down organic waste into biogas and an organic fertiliser by-product.
Unsold food from Tesco is fed to the anaerobic digester and the biogas generated is sold back to Tesco for use in their stores.
The plastic packaging from the food is processed to manufacture durable plastic products, using waste heat from electricity generation. Along with this, the digestate from the process is once again used as fertiliser to grow food.
‘Unwavering commitment to sustainable energy’
SEAI received 124 entries to the 2020 SEAI Energy Awards with projects “delivering combined energy savings of €42 million”.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Climate Eamon Ryan said:
“I believe Ireland’s energy transition is going to be good for us as a country and our people are going to be good at it.
“We have real skills and capabilities and it starts with everyone in their own way making change, demanding change and delivering it.”
William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, added that despite significant challenges this year, the volume and quality of entries reflects an “unwavering commitment to sustainable energy and climate action”.