Catalogue of Environmental Research Expertise in Ireland

The Catalogue of Irish Expertise in Environmental Research provides an insight into Irish Companies and Research Organisations active in the field of Environmental Research. You can View and Search the profiles of Irish researchers and companies; Register your profile; Keep it up-to-date; but also post your Partner Search Request or Expression of interest in a specific Call.

This is an Individual Researcher Profile

Researcher Contact Details

Research Title: Mr.

Contact First Name: Chris

Contact Surname: Johnston

Contact Address:

Environment and Renewable Energy Centre AFBI Crops, Grassland & Ecology Branch Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division Large Park Hillsborough BT26 6DR

Telephone Contact Number: +44 (0) 28 92 681540

Fax Contact Number:

Email Address: chris.johnston@afbini.gov.uk

Organisation Details

Organisation Type: Research Institute

Higher Education Organisation Name: Other Institute

Other Organisation Name(s) if appropriate: Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

Research Organisation or Company/Corporate Website: http://www.afbini.gov.uk/

Organisation or Individual Expertise:
The Environment and Renewable Energy Centre (EREC) assists the agri-food industry in maximising the potential of renewable energy and supports technology transfer activities as well as providing visiting groups (Farmers, Industry, Government, Research, & Educational) with a wide range of information on many aspects of renewable energy production and its use. The centre researchs and demonstrates real integration of agriculturally derived energy sources, their conversion and effects on environmental protection (air, soil, water). Research areas include ... • Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow production with bioremediation of wastes, effluents, leachates and biosolids • Evaluation of willow clones best suited to our climatic conditions • Investigation into further exploitation of the multifunctionality of woody energy crops eg, riparian strips, disease barriers, carbon sinks • SRC crop management and harvesting regimes • Research into rust diseases and planting strategies to minimise rust damage • Techniques for storage and drying of biomass crop materials • Evaluation of planting and harvesting methodologies to ensure maximum biomass yields. • Combustion and emission characteristics of varying biomass sources • The effect of the incorporation of renewable energy schemes on the carbon footprint of the AFBI Hillsborough site • Improving and evaluating the agronomy of Miscanthus to achieve higher DM yields • Demonstration and evaluation of anaerobic digestion for the potential of on-farm AD for agriculture in Northern Ireland as a future strategy for managing farm manures and plant nutrients in the manures together with production of renewable energy.

Organisation or Individual Expertise Keywords:
willow src biofiltration remediation phytoremediation biomass combustion emissions carbon ghg

National Research Funding

EPA Research Programme

This researcher or research organisation has expressed interest in the following areas:

EPA Water Research Pillar
Sustainable Environment Research

Involvement in Relevant National Expert Groups

EU Research Partnerships

This researcher or research organisation has expressed interest in the following areas of EU Research Partnerships:

Relevant information in relation to Participation relevant experts groups

No information specified

Details of any previous or current EU-funded projects the individual or organisation were involved in.

No information specified

Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020 website

Challenge 5 (Climate Action, Resource Efficiency & Raw Materials)

This researcher or research organisation has outlined their interests in Challenge 5 as follows:

Sustainably managing natural resources and ecosystems

Developing integrated approaches for the sustainable management of water-related challenges

Focus Areas

Smart cities and communities

→ Competitive low-carbon energy

Waste: a resource to recycle, reuse and recover raw materials

Water innovation: boosting its value for Europe

Societal Challenges 5 Priority Areas

This researcher/organisation has interest(s) in Societal Challenges 5 Priority Areas as outlined as follows

None specified.

Expertise in Societal Challenges 5 Cross-cutting Areas

This researcher has indicated interest(s) and expertise in Societal Challenges 5 Cross-cutting areas as follows:

No cross-cutting areas specified

Details of Participation in European Innovation Partnerships and European Technology Platforms:

The details of any ETPs or EIP this researcher/organisation have participated in or are currently participating in is outlined as follows.

No participation information provided.

Relevant EU Research Experience

Information in relation to Participation in relevant experts groups

Involvement in EU-funded research projects: Please outline details of any previous or current EU-funded projects the individual or organisation was involved in.

AFBI involvement in •Intereg lVA Lead Partner – (ANSWER ) Agricultural Need for Sustainable Willow Effluent Recycling. Cross-border £2.1m project •EU 5th Framework, Fair 5 (CT97-3947), 5 Countries (Sweden, France, Northern Ireland and Greece) •EU 6th Framework, BIOPROS, 9 Countries •EU Life, Water RENEW Project, UK •RENEW Interreg IIIA