Comments Off on Championing Safer Urban Farming with Biochar Innovation
At United Renewables, we know that sustainability is more than just a buzzword. It’s the key to a brighter future, and ensuring safe and productive soil quality is paramount. We are always at the forefront of sustainable solutions, and we have recently proudly supported groundbreaking research into the transformative potential of biochar in urban farming.
The Research Landscape Jennifer Newell, an esteemed postgraduate researcher at Queen’s University Belfast, embarked on an in-depth exploration of urban agroecology. Her focus was the Lower Botanic Gardens in South Belfast, a location emblematic of urban spaces with a rich history and potential challenges due to past industrial activities.
Biochar: The Game-Changer Biochar, a charred organic matter recognised for its contaminant adsorption properties, was the star of this research. Newall, understanding its potential, facilitated the integration of biochar into the urban soil, aiming to observe its impact on vegetable growth and safety.
The Experiment in Focus Within the controlled environment of a polytunnel, Newall meticulously planted a range of vegetables in both biochar-amended and control soils. Preliminary results showcased a remarkable difference, especially in the yield of the lettuce grown with biochar – a testament to its efficacy.
Navigating Challenges Every innovation journey encounters challenges. From unpredictable weather patterns to natural pests, this research faced its fare share of hurdles. Yet, with resilience and the backing of United Renewables, the project adapted and showcased promising outcomes.
Laboratory Revelations A state-of-the-art lab setup, designed to mimic the human digestive system, was employed to further understand the benefits of biochar. Initial findings are optimistic, suggesting that biochar could be pivotal in reducing risks associated with certain soil contaminants.
The Harvest Insight The first harvest, particularly the ‘Salad bowl’ lettuce, not only demonstrated an enhanced yield but also underscored the potential of biochar in promoting safer urban produce consumption. With further tests on the horizon, United Renewables remains committed to supporting and sharing these transformative findings.
United Renewables, as a beacon of sustainable innovation, is proud to be part of this pioneering journey in urban agriculture. With the power of biochar, we envision a future where urban farming is not only sustainable but also safer and more productive.
Comments Off on £600,000 awarded to NI companies to fund sustainable solutions for livestock waste
Six Northern Ireland Companies Awarded £600,000 to Develop Sustainable Solutions for Livestock Waste
United Renewables is one of the six Northern Ireland companies to have been awarded a total of £600,000 to develop practical and environmentally friendly solutions for livestock waste. The funding, which is being provided by the Department for the Economy’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and DAERA’s Green Growth Fund, will be used by the companies to create practical and economically viable models where livestock slurry can be separated with minimal nitrogen and methane losses. The goal is to produce feedstock that can be used to produce biogas or biomethane via anaerobic digestion (AD). Nutrients remaining post-energy production will also be suitably processed to provide a replacement for artificial fertiliser for use in NI or for export.
Welcoming the six projects, DAERA’s Director of Green Growth Delivery and Climate Action Division, Claire Cockerill said “This SBRI funding is an excellent example of Green Growth in action and a demonstration of government and industry working in tandem to deliver climate action solutions. I very much hope that this feasibility funding will lead to practical and environmentally sustainable solutions for the use of livestock slurry.”
Paul Grocott, Head of Economic Strategy at the Department for the Economy added: “SBRI is a highly effective way of encouraging the development of new innovative solutions to public policy challenges. Through this funding, businesses can help deliver a greener economy, in one of our largest sectors, in line with our 10X Economic Vision.”
This is an exciting development for the Northern Ireland agri-food sector and shows the commitment of government and industry to finding practical and sustainable solutions to the challenge of livestock waste. We look forward to seeing the results of these projects and the impact they will have on the environment and the economy.
If you are interested in reading the full article released by the Department of Agriculture, environment, and Rural Affairs you can find it on their website daera-ni.gov.uk
For more information on how we as a company contribute to the environment, climate mitigation, and the renewable energy sector go to our ‘About Us’ page.
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Comments Off on Innovative Solutions – wind turbine insurance
United Renewables: Using Innovative Solutions to Solve Industrywide Issues
United Renewables is a leading provider of renewable energy solutions. We are committed to finding innovative ways to solve the challenges facing the renewable energy industry and wind turbine insurance is certainly one of them.
One example of our commitment to innovation is our work to develop a new insurance product for wind turbines. When we were faced with difficulties in obtaining cost-effective insurance for our operational wind turbines, we worked with industrial and financial services partners to build a product suitable for industry needs.
The new insurance product is designed to meet the specific needs of wind turbine operators. It provides coverage for a wide range of risks, including mechanical breakdown, weather damage, and third-party liability. The product is also designed to be cost-effective, making it more affordable for wind turbine operators to obtain insurance.
The development of this new insurance product is a significant achievement for United Renewables. It demonstrates our commitment to finding innovative solutions to the challenges facing the renewable energy industry. It also shows our willingness to work with partners to develop products that meet the needs of our customers.
We are proud of our work on this project and we believe that the new insurance product will be a valuable resource for wind turbine operators. We are committed to continuing to find innovative solutions to the challenges facing the renewable energy industry.
We were one of the UK’s first sites to realise the potential of anaerobic digestion for power generation. Our first project began operations in 2019, working with institutional investors to not only build a new plant in Northern Ireland, but also creating a bespoke team of engineers, chemists, biologists to operate it day to day. The project has been so successful, there are now plans to triple energy production capacity at the site.
Our first project was a pioneering undertaking to take advantage of one of Europe’s underutilised resources. Northern Ireland experiences excellent wind speeds making it ideal for wind power generation. Originally planned around a single turbine, Causeway Wind 1 and 2 went on to successfully fund, build and operate a series of wind farms, engaging local authorities, landowners, and investors to work together.
For comprehensive details about our services and to stay updated on our latest projects, please explore further.
Causeway Wind 1 and 2 Farms
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Comments Off on Revolutionary Solvent Unveiled at Queen’s University Belfast: A Game-Changer in the Battle Against Carbon Emissions
A groundbreaking solvent has been developed by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, poised to revolutionise the way gases are separated and significantly curb global carbon emissions. This pioneering invention could be the catalyst in the global effort to combat climate change.
Gas separation is critical for capturing CO2 emissions from fossil fuel power plants and other energy-intensive industries. However, existing methods are energy-consuming and create a massive carbon footprint, equivalent to millions of cars on the road.
This innovative process employs a cutting-edge porous liquid solvent that is dramatically more energy-efficient, potentially saving up to 30% of the energy utilised in traditional chemical separation methods. This breakthrough has the potential to completely transform the way we address climate change.
Funded through Invest NI’s Competence Centre Programme, the CASE project boasts commercial partnerships with PLT, international chemical company, Clariant, and United Renewables, a renewable developer and operator with biogas sites in Northern Ireland.
Anticipating pilot projects and large-scale roll-out, industrial demonstrations are expected within the next three to five years, marking the dawn of a new era in combating carbon emissions.
For more information and to read about this groundbreaking research go to the main article: https://bit.ly/3JjYUuA
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