Micro-Generation Definition debated in UK Parliment

Posted on 28. Apr, 2006 by ashleys in Definitions, Micro Generation, News

It seems that not everyone agrees with the official UK definition of micro-generation as generation of a capacity of less than 50 kW. As we pointed out the yesterday the peak demand for a house in the winter would be around 20kW. So at least from a residential point of view 50 kW seems plenty.

In discussion in the UK Parliment for the “Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill” there was a fairly intense discussion (osl) about using 50kW as the the threshold in the definition of micro-generation. After reading the debate it seems to me that nobody had definitive information on what the average demand for an average house would be. Also it wasn’t the clear what the objection was to the threshold was. It was either:
  • (a) The danger that people would suddenly start creating wind farms in the gardens to ensure that used all the generation capacity available to them under the definition of micro-generation, or
  • (b) The fact that people would want to sell their excess capacity back to the grid.
Perhaps both! I am fairly sure that market forces would tend to ensure that (a) wouldn’t happen, and as far as I am concerned (b) is exactly want we want!

4 Responses to “Micro-Generation Definition debated in UK Parliment”

  1. James

    28. Apr, 2006

    If they’re worried about people building supersized microgeneration, they might want to adopt the 10 kWp limit proposed in the Electricity (Microgeneration) BIll.

  2. ashleys

    29. Apr, 2006

    James

    Thanks for the comment and the link. I can’t believe they would be really worried about building supersized microgeneration, but as you say the 10kWp limit may be more realistic.

  3. Geoffrey Kolbe

    21. Apr, 2008

    What is wrong with 50kWp as the upper limit?

    Why shouldn’t people be able to sell their excess micro generated power back to the National Grid at the consumer price and make money?

    It is actually very difficult – probably impossible – to match the large power company consumer price when using a fossil fuel to generate power. So we are not going to see people hooking their diesel generators up to the National Grid and making money. Only people using so called renewable power sources such as wind or hydro power will actually be able to profit from such a scheme – and if that reduces our national carbon footprint, we would all benefit.

  4. ashleys

    21. Apr, 2008

    Geoff

    Thanks for the comment and I actually totally agree with your point. Having a limit at all should be unnecessary really but may be required politically.

    If the UK had a useful simple and effect tariff system such as in Germany things would be much simpler.

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