Overview on Domestic-Scale Microgeneration
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 two subsequent meetings in Oct 06 and May 07.
For further information, please refer to the "Further Resources" section.
Current Issues
In the 2007 Budget, the Chancellor requested Ofgem to review the effectiveness of the market for exported electricity for microgeneration. Ofgem thus prepared a 'Review of the market for exported electricity from microgeneration'. The report has been published on 11 March 2008 and can be accessed through this webpage.