What is Domestic-Scale Microgeneration?
The term ‘microgeneration’ is used to refer to electricity generation equipment of the smallest capacity which covers generation of electricity up to 50 kWe. At the lower end of the range are microgenerators intended for installation in domestic and small commercial premises. The term microgeneration is consistent with what is referred to under Section 82 of the Energy Act 2004 and EU Directive 2004/8/EC. The following definition used to describe ‘domestic-scale microgeneration’ is reflective of what is referred to in both the ESQC regulations and the Engineering Recommendation G83/1:
“…a source of electrical energy rated up to and including 16 Amperes per phase, single or multiphase, 230/400V a.c.”
Domestic-Scale Microgeneration Technologies
Domestic-scale microgeneration embraces a range of technologies that are presently at varying stages of development and commercial availability. These include small scale photovoltaic (PV) arrays, micro-hydro generation, small wind generators and domestic scale Combined Heat and Power (DCHP) equipment.
The Microgeneration Forum
To ensure that the interests of microgeneration are understood and fully taken into account in all our work, we have established a Microgeneration Forum. This forum seeks the views of the key stakeholders including industry associations, academics, consumer groups and suppliers on the agenda that we should set for microgeneration. The thinking behind the forum recognises that microgenerators are affected by Ofgem policies across the board. We think that there is a need to provide a means for looking at the effect of our policies on microgeneration in the aggregate. We hope the forum, with the help of stakeholders, will fulfil this role.
The first meeting of the forum was held in June 2006. There have been four subsequent meetings in Oct 06, May 07, June 08 and January 2010.
The most recent Forum in January 2010 focused on Feed-in tariffs for small scale generators. The presentations from that Forum are available at the Microgeneration Forum 2010 link below.
Current Issues – Feed-in Tariffs
In July 2009 DECC published the Renewable Electricity Financial Incentives consultation (RFI) – see further resources for link to the consultation. This set out the Government’s proposals for revisions to the Renewables Obligation (RO) and the introduction of a Feed-in Tariff (FIT)for small scale renewable generators.
On 1 February DECC published its response to the FIT consultation – see further resources for a link to the response. This document sets out the final FIT scheme arrangements and the FIT generation and export tariffs.
The FIT scheme will be available from 1 April 2010. To be eligible to claim FIT you must install or have installed after 15 July 2009 an eligible generator. All generators must either be accredited by MCS or through the RO accreditation process. Once a generation unit is accredited it will be placed on the Central FIT Register held by Ofgem. Licensed suppliers who will deliver the scheme to generators and make the FIT payments and the export payments (if required) can only do so once your generation unit is on the Central FIT Register.
For links to further information about Ofgem's administration of the FIT scheme, and for helpful and independent information and advice from the Energy Savings Trust, please see the further resources bar.