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Renewable Transport – an Opportunity for Northern Ireland THERE is a tremendous opportunity to decarbonise Northern Ireland’s transport sector through the use of renewable transport fuels. That’s according to Ian Gordon of Action Renewables Energy Association (AREA).
and policy is adapted and fit for purpose, there are a number of opportunities presently; the potential for biomethane injection into the gas grid, an all-island network of hydrogen filling stations, and setting a trajectory for the renewable transport fuel obligation, beyond 2020 in Northern Ireland – all outlined in our ‘Proposal for a Renewable Future’ booklet. “We all need to play an active part in changing the mindset of individuals, businesses and those in the public sector, so that Northern Ireland has a renewable future. It is vital that we collectively look to move to a low-carbon future – and now.” Those at the conference also heard from several leading experts in their respective fields of transport planning, carbonfree trucking, electric vehicle (EV) charging forecourts and the use of hydrogen for transport. The common theme – there are many opportunities in the renewable transport sector; we just need to work together to make it happen.
Pictured are (L-R) Peter Morrow AECOM, Ian Williamson HyEnergy Ian Gordon, Action Renewables Energy Association, Sebastian Street of Gridserve and Mark Holohan, Virginia Logistics, a company that runs CNG trucks, with two American Tesla cars; electric cars.
An event held recently at Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn, brought together policy makers and key figures from public and private sectors, to address the opportunities and challenges that Northern Ireland faces on its journey
towards renewable transport. Ian Gordon, manager of Action Renewables Energy Association said, “Northern Ireland has tremendous potential to make a difference by utilising renewable transport – allowing for improved
air quality, a better quality of life and reduced carbon emissions, to name just a few. “Although there are many challenges ahead in relation to working together and ensuring the likes of infrastructure, regulations
One of the speakers, Ian Williamson, CEO and founder of HyEnergy discussed the use of hydrogen; “I believe that hydrogen will play a key role in creating a clean sustainable future. We only have to look at new technologies being created locally – a zeroemission drive system which encompasses a hydrogen fuel cell and battery pack to power both single and double deck buses.”
Belfast Port Commercials Charges Ahead with Freeway Fleet Maintenance Software Belfast Port Commercials has switched its workshop management software to Freeway Fleet Systems to underpin expansion of its commercial fleet maintenance services. As an authorised Schmitz Cargobull service partner, Belfast Port Commercials service and repair trailers for transport operators across Northern Ireland. When fully implemented, Belfast Port Commercials’ customers will be able to access live digital inspection sheets, job cards and invoices, as well as key fleet information, such as tyre tread depths, and damage reports, including photographic evidence of damages and defects. Freeway’s ability to provide a tablet-based app to capture all labour activity is key to this and allows workshop productivity and efficiency to be easily analysed. Belfast Port Commercials needed a more comprehensive system that could provide additional functionality and enterprise-wide visibility. Instead of investing in extensive development with its current supplier, the company worked with Freeway’s Irish implementation partner Genie Insights to deliver all the functionality required. Imperatively for Belfast Port Commercials, the system had to be capable of managing the company’s launch of holding Schmitz
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Cargobull parts stock, as well as requiring asset management capability, routine maintenance scheduling, stores management functionality and integration with its accounting software. Using Freeway, Belfast Port Commercials can now manage a multitude of customer pricing contracts, whether fixed parts pricing and labour rates or pricing tailored on a discount structure. It also allows them to manage promotional and seasonal pricing. A major factor in the company’s decision to invest in Freeway was because the system allows for detailed analysis of parts consumption, which is crucial in identifying repeat defects and in determining buying behaviour. Sheila Crawford, Business Process Manager for Belfast Port Commercials is impressed with the instant business insights available from an accounting perspective, including labour productivity and efficiency, stock management, purchasing and invoicing.
Willie McClean, Depot Manager at Belfast Port Commercials.
