microgeneration: Information and Much More from Answers.com
Microgeneration is the generation of zero or low-carbon heat and power by individuals, small businesses and communities to meet their own needs.
Microgeneration technologies include small scale wind turbines, water turbines, ground source heat pumps, solar thermal collectors, solar electricity and MicroCHP installations.
Benefits
Arguments in favor of microgeneration are:
- A significant proportion of electrical power is lost during transmission (approximately 8% in the United Kingdom according to BBC Radio 4 Today programme in March 2006). Microgeneration does not incur this loss.
- Microgeneration reduces the transmission capacity requirement of the national grid, avoiding the need for additional grid upgrades.
- By curbing the rising demand for grid electricity, microgeneration can avert the need for investment in large new power stations.
- The waste-heat byproduct can be used for heating purposes, thus greatly increasing efficiency and offsetting energy total costs. This method is known as combined heat and power (CHP).
- Because the electricity does not come from the grid, should the grid fail in a disaster such as an earthquake, the electricity will still be available.
Bringing energy generation closer to the consumer by means of microgeneration may have the further benefits of:
- Allowing individuals concerned about global warming to directly lower their carbon output.
- Helping to overcome the antagonism of a minority towards large-scale renewable energy installations such as windfarms.
Disadvantages
A number of scientists have been highly critical of microgeneration, noting that the sales-pitch exaggerations of microgenerator salespersons are making people cynical of "green" energy in general, not just of microgeneration. New Scientist magazine[1] notes that, for example, the Building for a Future magazine exaggerates the generating capacity of a typical household wind turbine by at least a factor of ten, and New Scientist makes similar criticisms about the performance claims made by household solar panel manufacturers. Commentators also note that householders who buy their electricity with green energy tariffs can reduce their carbon usage further than with microgeneration and at a lower cost. Microgeneration supporter Jeremy Leggett countered these comments by pointing out that the solar panels he manufactures and sells are simple to install and will provide green energy regardless of fluctuations in electricity markets.
By scaling down generation one foregoes the possible benefits of large scale generation. For example, the burden of maintenance falls on the owner, and out-sourcing it may incur extra costs. (Further material needed.)
Government policy
There is considerable resistance to microgeneration from many governments, local authorities and energy companies. Current incentives discourage energy suppliers and grid operators from bringing energy generation to the point of demand.
Policy-makers are accustomed to an energy system based on big, centralised projects like nuclear or gas-fired power stations, and it will require a change of mindsets and incentives to bring microgeneration into the mainstream. Planning regulations may also require streamlining to facilitate the retrofitting of microgenerating facilities onto homes and buildings.
A number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany and USA have laws allowing microgenerated electricity to be sold into the national grid.
United Kingdom
The UK Government published its Microgeneration Strategy[2] in March 2006, although it was seen as a disappointment by many commentators.[3] In contrast, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 has been viewed as a positive step.[4] To replace earlier schemes, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in April 2006, which provides grants to individuals, communities and businesses wishing to invest in microgenerating technologies.
Prominent British Politicians who have announced they are fitting microgenerating facilities to their homes include the Conservative party leader, David Cameron, and the Labour Science Minister, Malcolm Wicks.
In the December 2006 Pre-Budget Report[5] the Government announced that the sale of surplus electricity from installations designed for personal use, would not be subject to Income Tax. Legislation to this effect is to be included in the Finance Bill 2007.
References
- ^ Low wattage thinking, New Scientist, 30 September 2006, page 24 -- preview of part of article
- ^ UK Department of Trade and Industry Microgeneration Strategy
- ^ Home power plan 'disappointment' BBC News report on the UK Department of Trade and Industry Microgeneration Strategy
- ^ Sustainable energy groups welcome parliamentary initiative to reduce climate change emissions, article by micropower on the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006
- ^ [1] Pre-Budget Report 2006, Section 7.31.
See also
External links
UK related
- DTI pages on microgeneration
- DTI: Our Energy Challenge, Securing Clean and Affordable Energy for the Long Term
- The DTI's Low Carbon Buildings Programme
- Micropower Council
- The Green Alliance's Microgeneration Manifesto
- Small is Beautiful, commentary on UK microgeneration issues
- Building for a Future magazine: Microgeneration - Good or bad?
- Microgeneration Yorkshire - support for microgeneration sector in the Yorkshire region
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