UK Government launches Micro-Generation Strategy consultation

Posted on 22. Dec, 2010 by ashleys in Featured, Micro Generation, UK

The UK Government Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has today launched a consultation on a new Micro Generation Strategy. The Green Energy (Definition and Promotion) Act 2009, committed the UK Government to a consultation on a new Micro generation Strategy with the expressed purpose to promote micro generation technologies such as home solar, wind and hydro power.  This  formal consultation follows a period of informal collaboration with industry, which began on 12th July 2010  and covers England only.

Micro Generation Strategy Document

The consultation document is available at the DECC website and seeks to explore a number of barriers that might prevent the micro generation sector from realising its full potential. It summarises the issues, presents the evidence, makes specific proposals and seeks responses to a range of questions.

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:

“I am planting the seeds for growth so we can see small scale energy generation flourish in homes, businesses and communities. All elements of the industry, from standards and access to information to technology and skills must be ready to deliver and grow.

“We’ve already pledged financial support to encourage people to install kit like solar panels and heat pumps, today’s consultation will ensure that the industry and consumers have the confidence to invest.”

Micro Generation Strategy Consultation Objectives

Essentially the document seeks views on four key areas that the government hopes can help decarbonise the way we heat our homes and businesses, reducing the UK’s CO2 emissions and contributing to the UK target for sourcing 20% of all EU energy from renewables by 2020.  The consultation on the Micro Generation Strategy will look at the following four key areas for development:

• Quality: to ensure consumers have confidence that equipment and installation is reliable and adheres to the highest standards
• Skills: to develop the microgeneration supply chain to ensure it is properly equipped with the right people to meet the expected rise in demand, as well as creating and sustaining jobs in the UK
• Technology: to examine technology development including performance improvement
• Information and Advice: to provide more accessible advice and information about Micro Generation to consumers  (this is one area were we hope to contribute!)

Which Micro Generation technologies?

The focus of the Microgeneration Strategy will be electricity generation technologies less than 50 kW in size, and heat generating technologies less than 300 kW in size. This will include:

• air, ground and water source heat pumps
• solar photovoltaics (PV)
• solar thermal water heating
• biomass boilers
• micro Combined Heat and Power (micro CHP)
• micro wind turbines
• fuel cells
• micro hydro schemes
• passive flue gas recovery devices.

Comment

Essentially I see this as another positive step forwards, after the introduction of the Feed in Tariff ,  towards micro generation becoming a very real contributor to the UK energy generating capacity.  I look forward to reading the document and providing some comment.

Dave Sowden of the Micropower Council has similar views, He also looks forward to clarification on incentives for renewable heating,   saying:

“We have already seen extraordinary growth in microgeneration power generation solutions thanks to the introduction of the Feed in Tariff earlier this year, and look forward to similar incentives being extended to renewable heating and hot water systems next June. Today’s welcome proposals will help the industry grow with proper attention to quality, technology and skills development, whilst making it all much easier for consumers.”

Do you intend taking part in the Consultation?

Tags: Micro generation