Fergal Ward was determined to address his business’s reliance on fossil fuel gas as the main fuel source on his farm and add environmental benefit to the farm.
In each of the poultry units the old direct-fired gas heating system was replaced with a finned tube heating system positioned on the perimeter walls to provide the maximum amount of heat dispersion. This heating method has many welfare benefits for the birds and the farmer, lowering ammonia levels due to drier litter and removing CO from the poultry unit.
Providing the heat is a 500kW Smart Heating Technology Biomass Boiler, with a built in Siemens Climatix IC Controller, 15,000 Litre buffer tank and associated pressurisation unit and expansion vessels.
A Smart Heating Cyclone System was also connected to the biomass boiler to reduce emissions. We also installed a BMS Control Panel to allow full monitoring of all equipment.
A new Commercial gas boiler was also installed as a back-up system with consistent heat being a critical factor in animal welfare, all poultry units are required to have a back-up system.
The business was also eligible for a grant from the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) – their SSRH (Support Scheme for Renewable Heat) a 15 year payment grant scheme enabled them to make the switch to a renewable energy source and recoup the investment needed to make that change.
