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Prof. Kevin McDonnell
1 School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin, Agriculture Building, UCD Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

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0 Energy Systems
0 Green Technology
0 Life Cycle Assessment
0 Precision Agriculture
0 Sensors

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Journal article
Published: 23 May 2021 in Expert Systems with Applications
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Leaf wetness is an important input parameter into disease prediction models. The use of machine learning algorithms for the classification of leaf wetness measurements from 30 meteorological stations in North Western Europe during the period of January 2014 to October 2018 was assessed in this study. The accuracy of the empirical models utilised within in this study was enhanced by increasing the relative humidity threshold from 90% to 92%. Increasing the relative humidity threshold led to an average increase in the classification accuracy of 1.12%. The use of machine learning classification algorithms consistently provided more accurate results for the prediction of leaf wetness when compared to the empirical models that were studied with an average increase in the classification accuracy of 4.85%. The sub-division of the data into regional subsets had a greater effect on the accuracy of the models than the temporal sub-division of the data. Machine learning classification techniques performed well compared with previously established empirical models for the prediction of leaf wetness. Further improvements in the algorithms are possible, making the techniques studied here a viable research tool.

ACS Style

Gary D. Gillespie; Kevin P. McDonnell; Gregory M.P. O'Hare. Can machine learning classification methods improve the prediction of leaf wetness in North-Western Europe compared to established empirical methods? Expert Systems with Applications 2021, 182, 115255 .

AMA Style

Gary D. Gillespie, Kevin P. McDonnell, Gregory M.P. O'Hare. Can machine learning classification methods improve the prediction of leaf wetness in North-Western Europe compared to established empirical methods? Expert Systems with Applications. 2021; 182 ():115255.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gary D. Gillespie; Kevin P. McDonnell; Gregory M.P. O'Hare. 2021. "Can machine learning classification methods improve the prediction of leaf wetness in North-Western Europe compared to established empirical methods?" Expert Systems with Applications 182, no. : 115255.

Conference paper
Published: 03 September 2020 in 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings
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ACS Style

Thomas P. Curran; Colleen Doyle; Enda Cummins; Kevin McDonnell; Nicholas Holden. Enhancing The First Year Learning Experience For Biosystems Engineering Students At University College Dublin. 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings 2020, 15.516.1 -15.516.11.

AMA Style

Thomas P. Curran, Colleen Doyle, Enda Cummins, Kevin McDonnell, Nicholas Holden. Enhancing The First Year Learning Experience For Biosystems Engineering Students At University College Dublin. 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings. 2020; ():15.516.1-15.516.11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Thomas P. Curran; Colleen Doyle; Enda Cummins; Kevin McDonnell; Nicholas Holden. 2020. "Enhancing The First Year Learning Experience For Biosystems Engineering Students At University College Dublin." 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings , no. : 15.516.1-15.516.11.

Journal article
Published: 17 May 2020 in Science of The Total Environment
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Concentrated land spreading of poultry litter has the potential to cause nutrient build-up in soils, eutrophication of water bodies, air pollution and the spread of pathogens. As a result, alternative routes for the disposal of poultry litter are being sought. A consequential life cycle assessment was conducted to examine several scenarios where biogas produced from poultry litter is used to generate heat and electricity or is upgraded to biomethane which can substitute natural gas. For all of the scenarios considered in this study, diverting poultry litter to anaerobic digestion leads to reduced environmental impacts for global warming, fine particulate matter formation and terrestrial acidification. However, the extent to which environmental impacts are reduced varies significantly across the scenarios. Displaced processes including electricity or natural gas, peat moss production and avoided land spreading of litter contribute the most to reducing environmental impacts. Consequential life cycle assessment is a suitable tool to inform decision-makers about the impact of introducing a new multifunctional technology like anaerobic digestion when considering the systems which are displaced. The results show the range of potential environmental outcomes, rather than predicting a single most-likely outcome. The results of this study indicate that anaerobic digestion is a suitable disposal route for poultry litter which may lead to reduced environmental impacts. This type of analysis is recommended when considering alternative feedstocks and valorisation pathways in the circular economy.

ACS Style

Ciara Beausang; Kevin McDonnell; Fionnuala Murphy. Anaerobic digestion of poultry litter – A consequential life cycle assessment. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 735, 139494 .

AMA Style

Ciara Beausang, Kevin McDonnell, Fionnuala Murphy. Anaerobic digestion of poultry litter – A consequential life cycle assessment. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 735 ():139494.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ciara Beausang; Kevin McDonnell; Fionnuala Murphy. 2020. "Anaerobic digestion of poultry litter – A consequential life cycle assessment." Science of The Total Environment 735, no. : 139494.

Journal article
Published: 12 May 2020 in Energies
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To manage greenhouse gas emissions, directives on renewable energy usage have been developed by the European Commission with the objective to reduce overall emissions by 40% by 2030 which presents a significant potential for renewable energy sources. At the same time, it is a challenge for these energy technologies which can only be solved by integrated solutions. Carbon capture and storage combined with geothermal energy could serve as a novel approach to reduce CO2 emissions and at the same time facilitate some of the negative impacts associated with fossil fuel-based power plants. This study focuses on the technical and economic feasibility of combining these technologies based on a published model, data and market research. In the European Union, Germany is the most energy intensive country, and it also has an untapped potential for geothermal energy in the northern as well as the western regions. The CO2 plume geothermal system using supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid can be utilized in natural high porosity (10–20%) and permeability (2.5 × 10−14–8.4 × 10−16 m2) reservoirs with temperatures as low as 65.8 °C. The feasibility of the project was assessed based on market conditions and policy support in Germany as well as the geologic background of sandstone reservoirs near industrialized areas (Dortmund, Frankfurt) and the possibility of carbon capture integration and CO2 injection. The levelized cost of electricity for a base case results in € 0.060/kWh. Optimal system type was assessed in a system optimization model. The project has a potential to supply 6600/12000 households with clean energy (electricity/heat) and sequester carbon dioxide at the same time. A trading scheme for carbon dioxide further expands potential opportunities.

ACS Style

Kevin McDonnell; Levente Molnár; Mary Harty; Fionnuala Murphy. Feasibility Study of Carbon Dioxide Plume Geothermal Systems in Germany−Utilising Carbon Dioxide for Energy. Energies 2020, 13, 2416 .

AMA Style

Kevin McDonnell, Levente Molnár, Mary Harty, Fionnuala Murphy. Feasibility Study of Carbon Dioxide Plume Geothermal Systems in Germany−Utilising Carbon Dioxide for Energy. Energies. 2020; 13 (10):2416.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kevin McDonnell; Levente Molnár; Mary Harty; Fionnuala Murphy. 2020. "Feasibility Study of Carbon Dioxide Plume Geothermal Systems in Germany−Utilising Carbon Dioxide for Energy." Energies 13, no. 10: 2416.

Journal article
Published: 03 December 2019 in Energies
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Microgeneration of electricity using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is a sustainable form of renewable energy, however uptake in Ireland remains very low. The aim of this study is to assess the potential of the community-based roof top solar PV microgeneration system to supply electricity to the grid, and to explore a crowd funding mechanism for community ownership of microgeneration projects. A modelled microgeneration project was developed: the electricity load profiles of 68 residential units were estimated; a community-based roof top solar PV system was designed; an electricity network model, based on a real network supplying a town and its surrounding areas, was created; and power flow analysis on the electrical network for system peak and minimum loads was carried out. The embodied energy, energy payback time, GHG payback time, carbon credits and financial cost relating to the proposed solar PV system were calculated. Different crowdfunding models were assessed. Results show the deployment of community solar PV system projects have significant potential to reduce the peak demand, smooth the load profile, assist in the voltage regulation and reduce electrical losses and deliver cost savings to distribution system operator and the consumer.

ACS Style

Vinay Virupaksha; Mary Harty; Kevin McDonnell. Microgeneration of Electricity Using a Solar Photovoltaic System in Ireland. Energies 2019, 12, 4600 .

AMA Style

Vinay Virupaksha, Mary Harty, Kevin McDonnell. Microgeneration of Electricity Using a Solar Photovoltaic System in Ireland. Energies. 2019; 12 (23):4600.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vinay Virupaksha; Mary Harty; Kevin McDonnell. 2019. "Microgeneration of Electricity Using a Solar Photovoltaic System in Ireland." Energies 12, no. 23: 4600.

Journal article
Published: 03 June 2019 in Agriculture
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Willow is a fast growing, high yielding biomass crop that can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, long establishment times to get to profitability and sustainable yield may deter interest in planting the crop. A number of different approaches were investigated to optimise and accelerate early growth. These approaches were water immersion, plastic application, altering stem orientation at planting, altering coppicing timings and applying growth hormone. Glasshouse and field trials were used to test the different approaches. In this work, planting material was soaked for a varying number of days and plastic was applied or not applied in field trials. In the planting orientation approach, stems were planted diagonally or vertically with half of the planting material above the ground level or horizontally below ground level. Additionally, willow crops were coppiced at different times throughout their first growing season and a growth hormone trial was also incorporated in this work. Water soaking, plastic application, coppicing during the growing season or hormone application did not improve early growth or yield. However, early growth and yield were increased by manipulating the planting orientation of willow stems. Planting orientation treatments in which part of the stem was left above the ground increased early growth and yield significantly compared to the control without requiring extra inputs at planting. The beneficial effects of coppicing can be achieved by manipulating the planting procedure so that the first year’s growth is not disregarded.

ACS Style

Isabella Donnelly; Kevin McDonnell; John Finnan. Novel Approaches to Optimise Early Growth in Willow Crops. Agriculture 2019, 9, 116 .

AMA Style

Isabella Donnelly, Kevin McDonnell, John Finnan. Novel Approaches to Optimise Early Growth in Willow Crops. Agriculture. 2019; 9 (6):116.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Isabella Donnelly; Kevin McDonnell; John Finnan. 2019. "Novel Approaches to Optimise Early Growth in Willow Crops." Agriculture 9, no. 6: 116.

Journal article
Published: 25 January 2019 in Biosystems Engineering
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Near infrared hyperspectral imaging was used to predict the particulate matter (PM) and gaseous emissions of pellets produced from pinewood with varying moisture contents. PM10 and SO2 emissions were successfully determined using partial least squares regression coupled with spectral data of the pellets. The resulting models had R2 values of 0.74 and 0.75 and RMSEPs of 0.29 mg m−3 and 2.01 mg m−3 for the PM10 and SO2 emissions, respectively. Correlations for the remaining emissions factors were also determined. The product of the feed rate and flue gas temperature was found to correlate with the PM1, TSP and CO emissions with Pearson's r values of 0.48, 0.54 and 0.74, respectively. PM2.5 and PM0 emissions correlated with the flue gas temperature (r = 0.48) and bulk density (r = 0.62), respectively. Gaseous emissions of NOx correlated with a Pearson's r–value of 0.57 to the product of the bulk density and the flue gas temperature. The results indicate that near infrared spectroscopy can be used to predict the PM10 and SO2 emissions of a single biomass type sample set. Correlations between physical parameters of the pellets and emissions factors can be used for approximate predictions of emissions from wood pellets.

ACS Style

Gary D. Gillespie; Aoife A. Gowen; John M. Finnan; John P. Carroll; Damien J. Farrelly; Kevin P. McDonnell. Near infrared hyperspectral imaging for the prediction of gaseous and particulate matter emissions from pine wood pellets. Biosystems Engineering 2019, 179, 94 -105.

AMA Style

Gary D. Gillespie, Aoife A. Gowen, John M. Finnan, John P. Carroll, Damien J. Farrelly, Kevin P. McDonnell. Near infrared hyperspectral imaging for the prediction of gaseous and particulate matter emissions from pine wood pellets. Biosystems Engineering. 2019; 179 ():94-105.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gary D. Gillespie; Aoife A. Gowen; John M. Finnan; John P. Carroll; Damien J. Farrelly; Kevin P. McDonnell. 2019. "Near infrared hyperspectral imaging for the prediction of gaseous and particulate matter emissions from pine wood pellets." Biosystems Engineering 179, no. : 94-105.

Journal article
Published: 22 September 2018 in Agriculture
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Harvesting Miscanthus × giganteus (J.M. Greef & Deuter ex Hodkinson & Renvoize) after shoot emergence is known to reduce yields in subsequent seasons. This research was conducted in Miscanthus to assess the effects on crop response and soil compaction of annually repeated traffic, applied both before new growth in the rhizomes (early harvest) and after shoot emergence (late harvest), at two different soil moisture contents. While an annual early harvest, yields more than a late harvest, because damage to new shoots is avoided, soil compaction may be increased following repeated harvests. Five treatments were tested: (a) An untrafficked control, (b) early-traffic on soil with typical soil moisture content (SMC) (early-normal), (c) early-traffic on soil with elevated SMC (early-elevated), (d) late-traffic on soil with typical SMC (late-normal) and (e) late-traffic on soil with elevated SMC (late-wet). The experiment was conducted on a Gleysol in Co. Dublin, Ireland during 2010 and 2011. Crop response effects were assessed by measuring stem numbers, stem height, trafficked zone biomass yield (November) and overall stem yield (January). Compaction effects were assessed by measuring penetration resistance, bulk density and water infiltration rate. Trafficked zone biomass yield in the early-dry and early-wet treatments was, respectively, 18% and 23% lower than in the control, but was, respectively, 39% and 31% higher than in the late-dry treatment. Overall, stem yield was significantly lower in the late-normal and late-wet treatments (10.4 and 10.1 tdm ha−1 respectively) when compared with the control (12.4 tdm ha−1), but no significant difference was recorded in overall stem yield between both early-traffic treatments and the control. Penetration resistance values were significantly higher in all trafficked treatments when compared with the control at depths of 0.15 m (≥54–61%) and 0.30 m (≥27–57%) and were significantly higher in 2011 when compared with 2010 at depths of 0.15 and 0.30 m. Baler system traffic in Miscanthus significantly reduced yields and significantly increased compaction annually. Miscanthus harvested early, on a dry soil, yielded 1.1 tdm ha−1 more than when harvested late on a dry soil. The yield advantage increased to 1.3 tdm ha−1 when early harvesting on a soil with 40–43% moisture content was compared with late harvesting on a wetter soil (51–52% moisture content). In this study, the magnitude of yield losses from compaction or other causes in early harvests was substantially lower than the yield losses, which resulted from shoot damage in late harvests. It is likely in similar climates that the results of this study would also apply to other perennial crops growing in similar soil types.

ACS Style

Michael G. O’Flynn; John M. Finnan; Edna M. Curley; Kevin P. McDonnell. Effect of Harvest Timing and Soil Moisture Content on Compaction, Growth and Harvest Yield in a Miscanthus Cropping System. Agriculture 2018, 8, 148 .

AMA Style

Michael G. O’Flynn, John M. Finnan, Edna M. Curley, Kevin P. McDonnell. Effect of Harvest Timing and Soil Moisture Content on Compaction, Growth and Harvest Yield in a Miscanthus Cropping System. Agriculture. 2018; 8 (10):148.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michael G. O’Flynn; John M. Finnan; Edna M. Curley; Kevin P. McDonnell. 2018. "Effect of Harvest Timing and Soil Moisture Content on Compaction, Growth and Harvest Yield in a Miscanthus Cropping System." Agriculture 8, no. 10: 148.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2018 in Enzyme and Microbial Technology
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Monitoring anaerobic digestion (AD) leachate for changes in acetate and propionate concentrations is essential for effective AD operation. In this paper the development of a novel propionate cell-based biosensor is described. A previously designed E. coli mutant (IMD Wldgy) that could selectively determine acetate concentrations in synthetic leachates, based on oxygen uptake measurements, was used as a starting point in the development of a propionate biosensor. However, the propionate-grown IMD Wldgy cells exhibited extremely low propionate:acetate O2 consumption ratios (1:2.4). Screening for alternative propionate-grown E. coli strains naturally possessing a more favourable propionate:acetate O2 consumption ratio identified strain IMD 1, which exhibited a positive ratio (1.6:1). To improve the selectivity of the strain, successive gene knockouts were performed generating the IMD 1 hldgyep mutant. However, propionate-grown IMD 1hdlgyep's O2 consumption ratio was deemed too low to be considered as a propionate detecting bio-element. It was reasoned that the mechanisms by which E. coli activates acetate had to be removed. Deleting acs (acetyl-CoA synthesase) and ackA (acetate kinase) from IMD Wldgyep, resulted in an E. coli IMD Wldgyepak knockout mutant that, when grown on propionate, produced a mean propionate:acetate O2 consumption ratio of approx. 13:1. The resulting IMD Wldgyep and IMD Wldgyepak strains, which formed the acetate- and propionate-biosensor, respectively, were capable of detecting acetate and propionate concentrations ranging from 0.05mM to 4.5mM within two-phase AD synthetic leachates.

ACS Style

Joseph B. Sweeney; Cormac D. Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. Development of a bacterial propionate-biosensor for anaerobic digestion monitoring. Enzyme and Microbial Technology 2018, 109, 51 -57.

AMA Style

Joseph B. Sweeney, Cormac D. Murphy, Kevin McDonnell. Development of a bacterial propionate-biosensor for anaerobic digestion monitoring. Enzyme and Microbial Technology. 2018; 109 ():51-57.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joseph B. Sweeney; Cormac D. Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. 2018. "Development of a bacterial propionate-biosensor for anaerobic digestion monitoring." Enzyme and Microbial Technology 109, no. : 51-57.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2018 in Biomass and Bioenergy
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ACS Style

John O'loughlin; Kevin McDonnell; John Finnan. Quantifying the economic and greenhouse gas balance advantages of establishing miscanthus from stem cuttings. Biomass and Bioenergy 2018, 109, 147 -154.

AMA Style

John O'loughlin, Kevin McDonnell, John Finnan. Quantifying the economic and greenhouse gas balance advantages of establishing miscanthus from stem cuttings. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2018; 109 ():147-154.

Chicago/Turabian Style

John O'loughlin; Kevin McDonnell; John Finnan. 2018. "Quantifying the economic and greenhouse gas balance advantages of establishing miscanthus from stem cuttings." Biomass and Bioenergy 109, no. : 147-154.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2018 in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
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ACS Style

Mert Satir; Fionnuala Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. Feasibility study of an offshore wind farm in the Aegean Sea, Turkey. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2018, 81, 2552 -2562.

AMA Style

Mert Satir, Fionnuala Murphy, Kevin McDonnell. Feasibility study of an offshore wind farm in the Aegean Sea, Turkey. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2018; 81 ():2552-2562.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mert Satir; Fionnuala Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. 2018. "Feasibility study of an offshore wind farm in the Aegean Sea, Turkey." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 81, no. : 2552-2562.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2017 in Biomass and Bioenergy
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ACS Style

John O'loughlin; Kevin McDonnell; John Finnan. Establishing miscanthus x giganteus crops in Ireland through nodal propagation by harvesting stems in autumn and sowing them immediately into a field. Biomass and Bioenergy 2017, 107, 345 -352.

AMA Style

John O'loughlin, Kevin McDonnell, John Finnan. Establishing miscanthus x giganteus crops in Ireland through nodal propagation by harvesting stems in autumn and sowing them immediately into a field. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2017; 107 ():345-352.

Chicago/Turabian Style

John O'loughlin; Kevin McDonnell; John Finnan. 2017. "Establishing miscanthus x giganteus crops in Ireland through nodal propagation by harvesting stems in autumn and sowing them immediately into a field." Biomass and Bioenergy 107, no. : 345-352.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2017 in Biomass and Bioenergy
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ACS Style

John O'Loughlin; John Finnan; Kevin McDonnell. Accelerating early growth in miscanthus with the application of plastic mulch film. Biomass and Bioenergy 2017, 100, 52 -61.

AMA Style

John O'Loughlin, John Finnan, Kevin McDonnell. Accelerating early growth in miscanthus with the application of plastic mulch film. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2017; 100 ():52-61.

Chicago/Turabian Style

John O'Loughlin; John Finnan; Kevin McDonnell. 2017. "Accelerating early growth in miscanthus with the application of plastic mulch film." Biomass and Bioenergy 100, no. : 52-61.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2017 in Energy Policy
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A criticism of production-based reporting and accounting of greenhouse gas emissions, as implemented under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, is the risk of mitigation measures adoption in one country to reduce national emissions, leading consequentially to the displacement of the source activity to other jurisdictions, thus resulting in an increase in net global emissions referred to as 'carbon leakage'. An important outcome of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP) to the 1992 UNFCCC may be 'plugging' of carbon leakage. This study examined the bioenergy industry in Ireland to determine the extent of existing carbon leakage due to national energy policy and to establish if measures identified within the relevant intended nationally determined contributions will result in plugging of carbon leakage. The study focused on co-firing of biomass with peat, the major use of biomass for energy generation in Ireland. The results show that significant levels of carbon leakage occur due to reliance on imported biomass feedstocks to meet co-firing targets under Irish energy policy. In the post-COP21 scenario, one of the three Intended Nationally Determined Contributions analysed contains a measure which has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from imported biomass by 32%, highlighting the potential of the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon leakage

ACS Style

Fionnuala Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. Investigation of the potential impact of the Paris Agreement on national mitigation policies and the risk of carbon leakage; an analysis of the Irish bioenergy industry. Energy Policy 2017, 104, 80 -88.

AMA Style

Fionnuala Murphy, Kevin McDonnell. Investigation of the potential impact of the Paris Agreement on national mitigation policies and the risk of carbon leakage; an analysis of the Irish bioenergy industry. Energy Policy. 2017; 104 ():80-88.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fionnuala Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. 2017. "Investigation of the potential impact of the Paris Agreement on national mitigation policies and the risk of carbon leakage; an analysis of the Irish bioenergy industry." Energy Policy 104, no. : 80-88.

Journal article
Published: 18 February 2017 in Sustainability
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Photovoltaic (PV) power generation is one of the cleanest sources for producing renewable energy; however uptake on the Irish renewable energy market to date has been low. There is a lack of support for solar PV systems in Ireland; there is currently no solar PV energy feed-in-tariff as there are for other renewable energy systems in Ireland. Despite the current lack of support, the Government has indicated that support for the uptake of solar PV installations will be provided through the provision of a feed-in tariff in the future. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of installing PV systems under Irish climatic conditions at a location based in Dublin, Ireland, from a technical, environmental and economic point of view. This was achieved by carrying out a life cycle assessment of potential environmental impacts, and analysis of energy and economic payback times relating to the proposed PV system. Four possible renewable feed-in-tariffs (based on existing feed-in-tariffs for other renewable energy systems) were considered to determine the effect of such tariffs on the overall economics of the proposed PV system. Results show that life cycle GHG emissions are 69 g CO2-eq per kWh generated by the system, significantly lower than the current electricity grid mix emissions of 469 g CO2-eq per kWh. It will take 5.23 years of operation of the solar plant to generate the same amount of energy (in terms of primary energy equivalent) that was used to produce the system itself. The economic payback time varies from 19.3 and 34.4 years depending on the rate of renewable energy feed-in-tariff applied. The costs for the production of PV electricity in this study are higher than is usual in countries where the solar PV market is more developed, e.g., Germany, due to constraints with building integration and lack of experienced PV installers. As more PV is deployed, the Irish PV installer base will increase and ‘learning by doing’ effects will allow installers to install projects more efficiently and quickly under Irish conditions, leading to significantly reduced costs.

ACS Style

Fionnuala Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. A Feasibility Assessment of Photovoltaic Power Systems in Ireland; a Case Study for the Dublin Region. Sustainability 2017, 9, 302 .

AMA Style

Fionnuala Murphy, Kevin McDonnell. A Feasibility Assessment of Photovoltaic Power Systems in Ireland; a Case Study for the Dublin Region. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (2):302.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fionnuala Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. 2017. "A Feasibility Assessment of Photovoltaic Power Systems in Ireland; a Case Study for the Dublin Region." Sustainability 9, no. 2: 302.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2016 in Fuel Processing Technology
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Near infrared hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics was used to assess the potential for the prediction of the moisture content, specific energy and the feed rate of the feedstock into the pellet die. Samples were produced from a diverse set of agricultural products and wood chips, with a range of moisture contents. Image analysis was also utilised to assess the efficient mixing of biomass feedstocks prior to pelleting in a multi biomass stream. The moisture content (%), specific energy (kWh kg− 1) and feed rate (kg min− 1) were predicted with root mean square errors of prediction of cross validation of 1.11% (R2 = 0.94), 0.12 kWh kg− 1 (R2 = 0.64) and 0.20 kg min− 1 (R2 = 0.70), respectively. The results of this study indicate that near infrared hyperspectral imaging has the potential to be incorporated into a biomass pelleting facility to improve the efficiency of the system.

ACS Style

Gary D. Gillespie; Damien J. Farrelly; Colm D. Everard; Kevin McDonnell. The use of near infrared hyperspectral imaging for the prediction of processing parameters associated with the pelleting of biomass feedstocks. Fuel Processing Technology 2016, 152, 343 -349.

AMA Style

Gary D. Gillespie, Damien J. Farrelly, Colm D. Everard, Kevin McDonnell. The use of near infrared hyperspectral imaging for the prediction of processing parameters associated with the pelleting of biomass feedstocks. Fuel Processing Technology. 2016; 152 ():343-349.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gary D. Gillespie; Damien J. Farrelly; Colm D. Everard; Kevin McDonnell. 2016. "The use of near infrared hyperspectral imaging for the prediction of processing parameters associated with the pelleting of biomass feedstocks." Fuel Processing Technology 152, no. : 343-349.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2016 in Energy
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The energy sector is the major contributor to GHG (greenhouse gas emissions) in Ireland. Under EU Renewable energy targets, Ireland must achieve contributions of 40%, 12% and 10% from renewables to electricity, heat and transport respectively by 2020, in addition to a 20% reduction in GHG emissions. Life cycle assessment methodology was used to carry out a comprehensive, holistic evaluation of biomass-to-energy systems in 2020 based on indigenous biomass supply chains optimised to reduce production and transportation GHG emissions. Impact categories assessed include; global warming, acidification, eutrophication potentials, and energy demand. Two biomass energy conversion technologies are considered; co-firing with peat, and biomass CHP (combined heat and power) systems. Biomass is allocated to each plant according to a supply optimisation model which ensures minimal GHG emissions. The study shows that while CHP systems produce lower environmental impacts than co-firing systems in isolation, determining overall environmental impacts requires analysis of the reference energy systems which are displaced. In addition, if the aims of these systems are to increase renewable energy penetration in line with the renewable electricity and renewable heat targets, the optimal scenario may not be the one which achieves the greatest environmental impact reductions.

ACS Style

Fionnuala Murphy; Amanda Sosa; Kevin McDonnell; Ger Devlin. Life cycle assessment of biomass-to-energy systems in Ireland modelled with biomass supply chain optimisation based on greenhouse gas emission reduction. Energy 2016, 109, 1040 -1055.

AMA Style

Fionnuala Murphy, Amanda Sosa, Kevin McDonnell, Ger Devlin. Life cycle assessment of biomass-to-energy systems in Ireland modelled with biomass supply chain optimisation based on greenhouse gas emission reduction. Energy. 2016; 109 ():1040-1055.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fionnuala Murphy; Amanda Sosa; Kevin McDonnell; Ger Devlin. 2016. "Life cycle assessment of biomass-to-energy systems in Ireland modelled with biomass supply chain optimisation based on greenhouse gas emission reduction." Energy 109, no. : 1040-1055.

Journal article
Published: 22 October 2015 in Energies
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In Ireland, truck transport by road dominates and will remain the main transportation mode of biomass. Cost efficiency and flexibility of forest transport can be typically improved by optimising routes. It is important to know every process and attributes within the workflow of roundwood transport. This study aimed to analyse characteristics of timber trucking in Ireland, and to estimate the least-cost route for the distribution of biomass with the use of geographic information systems (GIS). Firstly, a tracking system that recorded the truck’s movements and fuel consumption was installed. A total of 152 trips were recorded, routes were chosen by the truck driver. The recorded information was used to analyse the distances and times travelled loaded and unloaded per road class, breaks, loading and unloading times as well as fuel consumption. Secondly, the routes taken by the truck where compared with routes created using Network Analyst (NA), an extension of ArcGIS. Four scenarios based on route selection criteria were selected: shortest distance (S1), shorted time (S2), and prioritising high-class roads with shortest distance (S3) and time (S4). Results from the analysis of the tracking system data showed that driving both loaded and unloaded occupied on average 69% of the driver’s working shift; with an average time driving loaded of 49%. The travel distance per trip varied from 112 km and 197 km, with the truck driver using mostly national and regional roads. An average 2% of the total distance and 11% of the total time was spent driving on forest roads. In general, the truck’s speed recorded on the different road classes was on average 30% lower than the legal maximum speed. The average fuel consumption was 0.64 L/km. In terms of the route comparison, the driving directions from the truck routes coincided with 77% of the directions of the routes based on shortest driving time (S2 and S4). All the routes chosen by the driver had 22% longer distance than the routes in S1 (shortest distance). The routes selected based on shortest distance (S1 and S3) had the longest travelling time, approximately 19% more than the ones taken by the truck and 30% more than S2 and S4. The average running cost for the truck was 0.83 €/km. Choosing the shortest distance routes (S1 and S3) not only implies reducing travelling costs but also a reduction of CO2 emissions by 12% in comparison to routes in S2 and S4. However, when selecting the routes, travel time can be a much more crucial parameter to analyse rather than distance in terms of transportation costs. Choosing the routes generated in scenario S2 over S1 implied an increase in distance by 12% but a decrease in time of 30%. Less driving time translates into better driving conditions across higher classes or roads; less wear and tear of trucks; and lesser fuel used. It also complies with local authorities preferences of having timber trucks move on higher road types in order to minimise the expenses associated with road maintenance.

ACS Style

Amanda Sosa; Kevin McDonnell; Ger Devlin. Analysing Performance Characteristics of Biomass Haulage in Ireland for Bioenergy Markets with GPS, GIS and Fuel Diagnostic Tools. Energies 2015, 8, 12004 -12019.

AMA Style

Amanda Sosa, Kevin McDonnell, Ger Devlin. Analysing Performance Characteristics of Biomass Haulage in Ireland for Bioenergy Markets with GPS, GIS and Fuel Diagnostic Tools. Energies. 2015; 8 (10):12004-12019.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Amanda Sosa; Kevin McDonnell; Ger Devlin. 2015. "Analysing Performance Characteristics of Biomass Haulage in Ireland for Bioenergy Markets with GPS, GIS and Fuel Diagnostic Tools." Energies 8, no. 10: 12004-12019.

Journal article
Published: 15 August 2015 in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
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Development of a biosensor for the convenient measurement of acetate and propionate concentrations in a two-phase anaerobic digestor (AD) requires a bacterium that will be unresponsive to the other organic acids present in the leachate, of which lactate is the most abundant. Successive gene knockouts of E.coli W3110 d-lactate dehydrogenase (dld), l-lactate dehydrogenase (lldD), glycolate oxidase (glcD) and a suspected l-lactate dehdrogenase (ykgF) were performed. The resulting quadruple mutant (IMD Wldgy) was incapable of growth on d- and l-lactate, whereas the wild type grew readily on these substrates. Furthermore, the O2 consumption rates of acetate-grown IMD Wldgy cell suspensions supplied with either acetate (0.1 mM) or a synthetic leachate including acetate (0.1 mM) and dl-lactate (1 mM) were identical (2.79 and 2.70 mg l−1 min−1, respectively). This was in marked contrast to similar experiments with the wild type which gave initial O2 consumption rates of 2.00, 2.36 and 2.97 mg l−1 min−1 when cell suspensions were supplied with acetate (0.1 mM), acetate (0.1 mM) plus d-lactate (1 mM) or acetate (0.1 mM) plus l-lactate (1 mM), respectively. The knockout strain provides a platform for the design of a biosensor that can accessibly monitor acetate and propionate concentrations in AD leachate via O2-uptake measurements

ACS Style

Joseph Sweeney; Cormac D. Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. Towards an effective biosensor for monitoring AD leachate: a knockout E. coli mutant that cannot catabolise lactate. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2015, 99, 10209 -10214.

AMA Style

Joseph Sweeney, Cormac D. Murphy, Kevin McDonnell. Towards an effective biosensor for monitoring AD leachate: a knockout E. coli mutant that cannot catabolise lactate. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2015; 99 (23):10209-10214.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joseph Sweeney; Cormac D. Murphy; Kevin McDonnell. 2015. "Towards an effective biosensor for monitoring AD leachate: a knockout E. coli mutant that cannot catabolise lactate." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 99, no. 23: 10209-10214.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2015 in Energy
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The aim of this study was to analyse the supply of wood biomass (short wood) to the three peat power plants in Ireland and the impacts on the competing wood-based panel industries. The methodology includes the development of a spatial decision support tool based on LP (Linear Programming). It uses drying curves to assess the moisture content, weight and energy content of biomass during a two year period planning. Harvesting, chipping, storage and transportation costs are calculated based on the biomass moisture content. The model optimally allocates woodchips and logs from thinnings and clearfells. Results show that the planned maximum 30% co-firing rate at the three peat power station could be met with the forecasted short wood availability from both the private and public sector. The costs of supply increased not only with higher demands, but also with tighter constraints on the MC demanded by power plants. Spatial distribution and operational factors such as efficiency in transportation and truck loading showed to be sensitive to changes in MC. The analysis shows the benefits of managing the MC when optimising supply chains in order to deliver biomass to energy plants in a cost-effective manner

ACS Style

Amanda Sosa; Mauricio Acuna; Kevin McDonnell; Ger Devlin. Managing the moisture content of wood biomass for the optimisation of Ireland's transport supply strategy to bioenergy markets and competing industries. Energy 2015, 86, 354 -368.

AMA Style

Amanda Sosa, Mauricio Acuna, Kevin McDonnell, Ger Devlin. Managing the moisture content of wood biomass for the optimisation of Ireland's transport supply strategy to bioenergy markets and competing industries. Energy. 2015; 86 ():354-368.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Amanda Sosa; Mauricio Acuna; Kevin McDonnell; Ger Devlin. 2015. "Managing the moisture content of wood biomass for the optimisation of Ireland's transport supply strategy to bioenergy markets and competing industries." Energy 86, no. : 354-368.