Enlightened Transition - 1st June 2015

Key Enlightened Transition Facts in 2015

Government Policies

• The security of Ireland’s energy supplies is put ahead of immediate low energy prices.
• No new contracts for major road-building projects or airport expansion
• Congestion charging is introduced
• Aviation fuel is taxed as a result of EU Directive

Economy

• Energy prices have grown at 6% per year since 2005
• Petrol prices have increased by 80% since then
• Electricity prices have also increased by 80%

Business

• Renewables now 30% of energy generation
• Waste a big issue - much is exported
• 5 Incinerators built since 2005

Households

• Saving money by reducing waste of all kinds is part of the psyche
• We no longer expect to get all kinds of fruit and veg all through the year
• Housing boom ended in 2009 but soft landing
• Smart metering in all homes allows variable pricing of electricity

Culture

What are we eating?

More seasonal because cost of transport increase. More local.

• Organic turkey from integrated farm.
• Irish Potatoes
• Frozen Veg from Holland
• Oranges from Spain

What are we watching?

• Makeover program that reduces cost of running house by 90%
• Build Your Own Windfarm
• Back to the city

Most popular Websites

• www.moreforless.ie
• www.earncashfromhome.com
• www.sellonline.com

What are we selling

• Second car that runs on oil or linseed oil Would swap for 2 quiet house cows.
• 10 speed bicycle for sale with electric motor assist. E400 ono.
• Electric producing rowing machine for sale. Produces up to 3 hours energy per hour of excersie in a non-converted house, several more in a converted house. 8 gears, Price E1000. Saves E800 per year for regular users.

Headlines

• Minister for Sustainable Energy Announced - Sustainable Energy has not become a hot political issue, deserving of a new department
• Private wire schemes encroach on national grid - Entrepreneurs have started businesses generating electricity which are supplied direct, not via the national grid, to homes and businesses.
• Property prices fall as pensions funds shift to renewable energy projects - property was long seen as a safe investment - "safe as houses" - but energy is now seen as a better long term investment with good returns. People will always want energy.
• Deposit for Milk Bottles increased to 50c - For many years glass was simply thrown away, then it was recycled and finally the returnable bottle made a return. Since then, the value of the returnable bottle has increased.
• Airships to fly over Ireland Again - Airships are a cheap form of transport where speed is not required. They do not require energy to lift them, only to move them forward, they require almost no infrastructure and are now very safe.
• District heating now favoured by planners - A method popular on continental Europe has finally made it to Ireland.
• Closing time for Just in Time - As transport prices increase, the warehouse makes a return as it becomes cheaper to take few deliveries and store goods until needed.
• Ryanbikes slams price increase for public bike storage racks - Ryanair is a successful and ambitious Irish entrepreneur who saw a new business opportunity as people moved out of their cars and onto their bikes. Long known for slamming airports for trying to charge Ryanair for the use of their services, he has brought the same stance to the new Ryanbike business.
• Eco-village tax free - Eco-villages reconised as a good way forward.
• Two incinerators to convert to energy production - Reduction is waste, particularlly waste with high embodied energy, forces some facilities to look for alternative sources of income by converting to energy production.
• New rail lines on central reservation of motorways - Light rail is much more flexible in it's requirements and being installed on dual-carraigeways and motorways.
• Walk to school "bus" mowed down by Ryanbike - Children walk to school in organised groups or "walking busses". Another dig at Ryanair.