Memorandum submitted by Micropower
SUMMARY
The Micropower Council believes that it is paramount
to shift policy focus onto the existing housing stock. While we
welcome the proposals and aspirational targets of the Code for
Sustainable Homes, it is only for new homes and is not mandatory.
In March 2007, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown
made the following statement in a speech to the Green Alliance:
"In the last Pre-Budget Report, I announced
that within ten years all new homes would have to be zero carbon,
and I provided a stamp duty exemption as an incentive to get there.
But new homes are only a small percentage of the total. So today
I want to extend our ambition to all homes. Over the next decade
my aim is that every home for which it is practically possible
will become low carbon."
Yet, no new policies to encourage a reduction
in carbon emissions from existing homes have emerged from Government
in the period since the budget speech.
More must be done to highlight to home-owners
and other households, the economic and environmental benefits
that can easily be achieved through simple changes. Energy efficiency
measures, such as loft or cavity wall insulation are normally
the first and most cost-effective step that householders can take
in reducing emissions.
Planning issues are a significant obstacle for
the installation of solar and wind technologies on existing housing.
We are concerned at the delay by Government in granting permitted
development status for microgeneration installations, following
consultation earlier this year. Continued delay may damage the
microgeneration sector.
The potential for small scale generation of
renewable heat and electricity must not be overlooked. Microgeneration
offers a significant contribution to tackling climate change by
helping to reduce household emissions and by changing attitudes
towards energy usage.
The microgeneration industry needs from Government,
a coherent and comprehensive fiscal strategy to cover the retro-fit
market. We also need the Government to work together to resolve
the barriers that still exist. DCLG's continued failure to engage
with the rest of the microgeneration industry, resolve planning
issues or set hard legal carbon targets have been particularly
disappointing.
1. Who we are
The Micropower Council is a cross-industry body
whose membership comprises electricity and gas companies, manufacturers,
trade associations, professional institutions, not-for-profit
companies, non-government organisations, charities and private
individuals, all of whom have a strong interest and expertise
in the development of the micropower sector. A list of our members
is available at:
http://www.micropower.co.uk/council/members.html
We provide the Micropower industry's main focal
point for Government, regulators, Parliament, opinion formers
and the general public on regulation and public policy issues
affecting the production by consumers of their own sustainable
heat and power.
The terms micropower and microgeneration are
used interchangeably and both encompass micro-renewable heat,
micro-chp, and micro-electricity technologies.
2. The importance of existing housing stock
There are around 25 million households in the
UK[208]
according to figures available from DCLG and from the national
assemblies for Scotland and Wales. 152 million tonnes of carbon
(MtC) were produced by the UK in 2004. Emissions from domestic
building stock were responsible for 41.7 MtC in 2004—27%
of total UK carbon emissions.
In 2006, the Department for Communities and
Local Government undertook a review of the sustainability of existing
buildings within the UK[209].
The review concluded that:
"The analysis so far shows that a substantial
reduction in carbon emissions can be made by introducing cost
effective technology, that can make substantial savings for consumers
on their fuel bills.
However, there are still barriers to take up
including information and upfront costs which many of our developing
policies are designed to address. In the longer term, we need
to look at new, emerging technologies and a wider range of measures
in order to meet the 2050 timetable."
Around two-thirds of the homes standing in 2050
are likely to have been built before 2005. New build represents
only approximately 1% of the total stock each year. Building Regulations
have raised energy efficiency standards of new homes significantly
in recent years. However, most of the existing stock, and a significant
proportion of those that will still exist in 2050, were constructed
to much lower, energy efficiency standards than new build today.
Existing stock will therefore continue to account for the great
majority of carbon emissions from dwellings, both in terms of
their lower energy efficiency and their numbers.
A large-scale reduction in the carbon emissions
from existing homes is achievable and cost-effective. These reductions
could translate into a significant contribution to reducing UK
emissions as a whole.
REDUCING EMISSIONS
FROM EXISTING
HOUSEHOLDS
Consumers should in the first instance seek
to make their homes as energy efficient as possible. We support
the view that improving energy efficiency in existing homes is
the most cost effective way of reducing emissions from the household
sector. However, zero carbon homes will not be achieved through
energy efficiency savings alone.
The UK also has the largest gas boiler sales
per annum in the EU at around 1.6 million units each year. As
heating and hot water systems are responsible for 73% of emissions
from the home, the replacement of traditional boilers with microgeneration
technologies is an option which could have a big impact on emissions
reduction.
Micropower technologies will become more cost
effective as they become commercialised and prices come down.
In addition increases in energy prices make self production of
energy increasingly attractive.
MICROGENERATION IS
PART OF
THE SOLUTION
We believe that microgeneration can, given the
right policy framework, play an important role in reducing emissions
from existing housing stock for two principal reasons:
(a) From the direct impact of the technology
itself, through substantial improvements in energy efficiency
or by producing energy from renewable, non-CO2 or low
carbon producing sources. In large volumes the potential is significant.
(b) By engaging consumers and making them
more interested in their own personal use of energy, and of its
consequences.
All micropower technologies reduce or eliminate
fossil fuels by utilising more than 90% of the fuel productively
or powered by renewable sources. Our centralised power facilities
are currently operating with a primary fuel efficiency in the
region of 40%. Up to another 10 percent of this is wasted in transmission
and distribution. 1 million tonnes of annual carbon savings would
be achieved by any of the following outcomes; 1 million biomass
heating, 6 million gas-fired micro combined heat and power units,
7m micro-wind, photovoltaic or solar thermal[210].
Micropower acts as a catalyst for cultural change.
Consumers with micropower technologies show noticeable changes
in their energy use, as well as sending a clear visual signal
to neighbours of how a property can contribute in generating low
or zero carbon energy.
A study for the Sustainable Consumption Roundtable,
"Seeing the light", into the effect of microgeneration
on attitudes and behaviours in homes and schools found that "microgeneration
provides a tangible hook to engage householders emotionally with
the issue of energy use . . . . householders described the sheer
pleasure of creation and of self-sufficiency: saying "it's
like growing your own vegetables".[211]
Microgeneration has allowed members of the public
to take positive action to combat climate change and reduce the
carbon footprints of their homes. This has been achieved despite
limited financial incentives, planning barriers and lack of clear
leadership from Government.
NUMBER OF
INSTALLATIONS
The Energy Saving Trust study estimated that
in 2004 there were around 82,000 microgeneration installations
in the UK (see appendix A). Discussion with our members and industry
experts suggests that the number of installations has now reached
over 100,000, although this cannot be verified as there is no
ongoing collection of data for non-grant supported installations
across industry.[212]
Significant problems with the bureaucracy surrounding
the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) has meant the Scheme
has not been as successful as it could have been and the difficulty
and confusion of the process may have even discouraged would be
installations. A major problem was the monthly capping of the
grant money. The industry was left in a position whereby the allocation
for each month ran out by lunchtime on the first of each month.
The number of actual grant supported installations has remained
relatively low at just over 11,000 between 2003 and 2007.
Based on the estimated number of installations
for each technology identified in the EST's 2004 study and on
the average carbon savings per year for the different types of
installation, we estimate that the reduction in emissions achieved
by microgeneration technologies in the UK is in excess of 37,000
tonnes per year.
MICROGENERATION PRODUCTS
FOR EXISTING
HOMES
Due to the wide range of products and technologies
available, it is possible to generate renewable heat or electricity
with a microgeneration installation at almost any existing property.
The cost and most appropriate type of installation
will vary, depending on individual circumstances. For example,
when choosing to install a Ground Source Heat Pump it is important
to consider some of the following issues:
— Space is needed outside the house
for the ground loop and the ground will need to be suitable for
digging a trench or borehole.
— What fuel is being replaced? If it's
electricity, oil, LPG or coal the payback will be more favourable
than gas. Heat pumps are a good option where gas is unavailable.
— The type of heat distribution system.
Ground source heat pumps can be combined with radiators but these
will normally be larger than with standard boiler systems. Under
floor heating is better as it works at a lower temperature.
It is essential that the right microgeneration
solution is used in the right circumstances. The Micropower Council
and its members have strongly advocated for microgeneration companies
to act responsibly and not sell products for unsuitable installation.
That is why all installations should be carried out by trained
professionals after a site survey and evaluation. For example,
it is important to ensure that solar panels are not installed
facing north, making them in-effective, or micro wind turbines
being installed in sheltered and non-windy locations.
ADVICE FOR
CONSUMERS
Advice on the most appropriate technology can
be obtained through organisations such as the Micropower Council,
the Energy Saving Trust and other trade associations. Major energy
suppliers such as NPower, E.ON, EDF Energy, British Gas and Scottish
and Southern Energy all offer advice to their consumers. Manufacturers,
many of whom offer a range of products and different technologies,
are also well placed to advise customers.
Each of the main microgeneration technologies
is summarised in Appendix B.
WHAT NEEDS
TO BE
DONE TO
ENCOURAGE GREATER
TAKE-UP
The regulatory and policy environment for micropower
technologies in 2006 was generally favourable and improving. The
very existence of a government sponsored strategy for the sector,
accompanied by an Act of Parliament (Climate Change and Sustainable
Energy Act 2006) has provided a great deal of optimism. However
this progress has slowed considerably in 2007. One major concern
is with the lack of co-ordination amongst the different Whitehall
Departments which have failed to provide a coherent and integrated
Financial Strategy for microgeneration. Another is the lack of
positive engagement of Communities and Local Government Ministers
and Officials. Confusion and disbelief has arisen because while
Yvette Cooper stated clearly in the House of Commons that all
Local Authorites should introduce a Merton Rule, her officials
have been waiting to get rid of it to free up the schedule. There
are a number of other factors that have contributed to restricting
the development of the industry to date.
CONSUMERS
Consumer awareness of microgeneration technologies
has historically been quite low. However, consumers are increasingly
recognising the importance of green issues and appear willing
to embrace microgeneration technologies, under the right circumstances.
A recent survey of consumers[213]
found that just over half of all participating homeowners (51%)
said they would be interested in generating their own power. Saving
money was the driving factor for those interested in microgeneration.
As costs and payback time fall microgeneration should become more
and more attractive to this group of consumers. Of those not interested,
the biggest stumbling block was not knowing enough about microgeneration.
The industry must do more to promote awareness.
A market research project will begin later this year which is
co-funded by the Micropower Council, other trade bodies and regional
development agencies. We expect this research to provide analysis
of consumer attitudes and to provide valuable input to the industry
as it develops its marketing strategies in the future.
FISCAL INCENTIVES
The approach by Government to financial incentives
has historically been ad-hoc and sporadic. A single long-term
and detailed Microgeneration Financial Strategy is needed to pull
all financial policies together and which is able to provide adequate
support to technologies at different stages of maturity.
One example of Government support which would
help stimulate the deployment of microgeneration is the forward
commitment to buy. Forward commitments to purchase products that
are not currently commercially available, against a defined performance
specification, provide the market with the certainty necessary
to justify intensive product development effort and "underwrite"
significant financial risk. By focusing on microgeneration technologies
which deliver CO2 benefits and improve energy security,
such mechanisms can align with and help to deliver wider Government
objectives.
TARGETS FOR
MICROGENERATION
The microgeneration sector would benefit greatly
from the setting of quantifiable and achievable targets for the
take up of microgeneration in the UK. This would provide private
sector investors with the necessary confidence to invest in the
industry's manufacturing and installation capability so that substantial
cost reductions can be achieved. The question as to why the microgeneration
industry is the only energy related solution which does not have
its own targets remains a mystery and feeds doubts over the Government's
commitment to making all homes zero and low carbon.
The Energy Saving Trust study "Potential
for microgeneration"[214]
highlighted the sector's potential, suggesting that by 2050, microgeneration
could provide 30-40% of the UK's electricity needs reaching 8m
homes and helping to reduce household carbon emissions by 15%
per annum. However this will only happen if further steps are
taken to encourage uptake.
COST REDUCTION
The costs of rolling out micropower technology
are coming down slowly. There is large scope for efficiencies
in manufacturing and installation techniques, both through economies
of scale and improved working practices if investment is put in
place to achieve them. The Government must set targets for microgeneration
and adopt a long-term approach to fiscal incentives.
Achieving cost reductions will reduce payback
time which is a critical factor in consumer demand, particularly
in the UK where people typically move home every seven years.
The Micropower Council is looking at a number
of alternative consumer models which will allow residents to acquire
microgeneration but not necessarily have to pay for all of the
cost. For example a third party may chose to "rent"
roof space on a resident's property.
ADAPTING THE
CODE FOR
SUSTAINABLE HOMES
Assessment against the Code for Sustainable
Homes should become mandatory for all new homes and adapted to
apply to existing housing stock. Despite, major obstacles, implementing
change in existing housing stock is possible and has already been
achieved in a number of areas. For example, regulations on condensing
boilers, gas safety and the metering of electricity and of water
have helped improve the environmental standards in existing homes.
Incentive schemes such as the Energy Efficiency
Commitment (and now the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target), Low
Carbon Building Programme and Renewable Obligation Certificates
have also provided incentives for people to improve their homes,
or suppliers to improve the homes of their customers.
PLANNING
Planning issues are a significant obstacle for
the installation of some microgeneration technologies on existing
households. For example, planning issues are the reason for over
one third of cancelled orders for B&Q wind turbines. In April
this year, the Department for Communities and Local Government
published its consultation paper on Permitted Development Rights
for Householder Microgeneration[215]
with the declared aim of extending and clarifying the scope of
permitted development. We agree with the broad scope of the proposals,
but are concerned at the delay in publishing the final amendments.
The industry needs to engage planning officials in microgeneration,
but before this can happen, the Government must publish the amendments
to the General Permitted Development Order.
The government's Microgeneration Strategy emphasised
the success of the Merton Rule and was critical in building confidence
that government wished to see a vibrant microgeneration industry
making its full contribution to tackling climate change. The Merton
Rule is the borough-wide local planning policy which requires
developers to use onsite renewables on major new developments
where viable, and has proved to be a major cause of growth in
the uptake of microgeneration in the last few years. We were concerned
to learn that the Merton Rule may be discarded in the draft planning
policy statement currently being considered by Ministers at DCLG.
The Merton Rule has been a modest yet proven
and highly successful policy in growing the market for microgeneration
technologies to date. The Micropower Council is opposed to any
restriction on the ability of local authorities to set their own
high environmental standards via the Merton Rule. Without the
Merton rule in place, the national zero carbon homes timetable
is unlikely to deliver any microgeneration until 2013 at the very
earliest and could have serious consequences for the industry.
The Merton Rule is vital to ensuring the government
achieves its targets for zero-carbon homes by 2016 and should
not be discarded. All local authorities should be encouraged to
develop Merton Rule style policies
APPENDIX A
Table 1
ESTIMATED MICROGENERATION INSTALLATIONS IN
THE UK—END 2004[216]
Technology
| Number of Units | Notes and applicability
|
Solar Thermal | 80,000 installed
| Fully commercial, but technology improving.
|
| Wind | 700 installed | Typically roof/wall mounted, mass market domestic sector(<3kW)
|
| MicroCHP | 200 installed |
Mass market for gas boiler replacements |
| Photovoltaics | 1100 installed
| Technology becoming more established |
| Fuel Cells | 10 installed |
High electrical efficiency & therefore carbon offset
|
| Ground Source Heat | 400 installed
| Particularly attractive for new build sector
|
| Biomass heating | 150 installed
| Wood pellet boilers |
| Micro-hydro | 100 installed
| Water Mill conversions |
| |
|
APPENDIX B
TYPES OF MICROGENERATION TECHNOLOGIES
SOLAR THERMAL
HOT WATER
HEATING
Solar thermal is the most commonly installed form of solar
energy currently in use today. Solar water heating can typically
provide almost all hot water requirements during the summer months
and about 50% year round. At the end of 2005, around 80,000 solar
thermal installations existed in the UK.
There are three main components for domestic hot water systems:
Solar panels, a heat transfer system, and a hot water cylinder.
The solar panels, or collectors, are usually fitted to the roof
and collect heat from the sun's radiation. This heat is used to
raise the temperature of the household water and is delivered
by the heat transfer system which takes the heated water to the
hot water cylinder for storage until use.
Solar hot water systems can also be used on larger applications
such as swimming pools.
Performance Details:
The performance of a solar thermal system is best when the
solar collectors are installed on a southeast to southwest facing
roof receiving direct sunlight for the main part of the day. There
are different types of solar systems available, the typical installation
cost for a domestic plate collector system is £2,000-£3,000
and for an evacuated tube system around £3,500-£4,500.
The average domestic system will usually provide almost all of
an average family's hot water during summer months and about 50%
year round. The solar system would typically save approximately
400kg of CO2 per year, depending on the fuel replaced.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC
(PV) ELECTRICITY GENERATION
Photovoltaic or PV generates electricity from sunlight. Small-scale
PV modules are available as roof mounted panels, roof tiles and
conservatory or atrium roof systems. 1-3 kW is a typical power
output for a domestic installation although this is very flexible
and depends on the number of PV modules installed.
A typical PV cell consists of two or more thin layers of
semi-conducting material, which is most commonly silicon. The
electrical charge is generated when the silicon is exposed to
light and is conducted away by metal contacts as direct current
(DC). Although the electrical output from a single cell is small,
when multiplied together a desired electrical output can be achieved.
Therefore, PV cells are connected together and encapsulated, usually
behind glass, to form a module or panel and any number of modules
can be connected together..
Performance details:
The performance of a PV system will depend upon the size
of the system, the type of PV cell used and the nature of the
installation. The average domestic system is usually between 1.5
and 2 kWp (kilowatt peak) in size and costs are around £4,000-£9,000
per kWp. Solar tiles, which can be integrated into a roof, maybe
worth considering if major roof repairs are intended to be carried
out.
The PV system generates no greenhouse gases and save approximately
325kg of CO2 per year or about 8 tonnes over system's
lifetime—for each kWp. A typical 1.5-2 kWp system will produce
enough electricity to supply almost half of an average family's
annual supply, assuming that the heating is fuelled by gas and
that the house has no energy efficiency savings.
MICRO-WIND
TURBINES
Wind Turbines harness the wind to produce electrical power.
The efficiency of a domestic system will depend on factors such
as location and surrounding environment and the electricity output
is usually between 2.5 and 6 KWs, but can be as low as 1KW.
Calculating electricity generation from a wind turbine requires
consideration of the characteristics of wind. Wind power is proportional
to the cube of the wind's speed which means that large changes
in potential output can result from relatively minor increases
in wind speed. Because wind speed increases with height, a typical
wind turbine is mounted high on a mast or tower and an ideal location
is on a smooth-top hill with a flat, clear exposure and is free
from obstructions such as buildings, forests or other large trees
that can cause excessive turbulence.
The latest development in domestic wind turbine technology
is roof-mounted turbines for installation on domestic dwellings.
These mini-wind turbines give a nominal output of 1kW and are
designed to generate energy from low wind speeds. They are typically
mounted on the gable end of buildings although in some cases can
be attached to the building side-walls.
Performance details
The performance of domestic wind systems depend upon the
size and type of the turbine and location. The optimum size for
the average household is normally between 1.5-3kW, however smaller
and larger sized turbines can be installed depending upon application.
Systems up to 1kW will cost around £3,000 and larger systems
between 1.5kW and 6kW will cost around £4,000 to £18,000.
Small-scale wind power is particularly suitable for remote
off-grid locations where conventional methods of supply are expensive
or impractical. Roof mounted turbines usually 1kW can cost around
£1,500 installed and can reduce an average annual electricity
bill by up to 1/3 or around 500kWh to 1.2 MWh per annum. This
would save approximately 500kg or half a tonne of CO2
per year.
MICRO COMBINED
HEAT AND
POWER UNITS
These systems are usually fuelled on gas, although some can
burn a range of other fuels, and produce electrical power and
thermal energy from the single fuel source. The two major types
of engines used in microCHP systems are:
Reciprocating engines
The electrical output of this type of micro-combined heat and
power (microCHP) units typically start at about 5 kW offering
around 10-12kW of thermal output. Significant development work
has been underway and currently continues, particularly in the
USA, but here in the UK Baxi Senertec are leading the market.
Stirling engines
These are external combustion engines with a sealed system
using an inert working fluid, usually helium or hydrogen. They
range in size from 1/2 kW upwards and are currently undertaking
extensive field trials with a view to having production units
in 2008-09. Leading brands such as Baxi and WhisperGen are working
on units that will generate 1kWe for domestic dwellings.
In addition, fuel cells are an emerging technology for microCHP
applications (see below).
Performance details
Micro-CHP systems in the UK are currently being developed
and 200 are undergoing field trials within households. A typical
domestic sized micro-CHP unit will deliver the same comfort levels
as a modern boiler, whilst reducing the emissions of a typical
house by up to 25% or 1.5 tonne of CO2 per year. The
200 WhisperGen units currently on trial were sold for approximately
£3,000 installed, but the mass-produced units are expected
to be more cost competitive.
HEAT PUMPS
A heat pump moves heat energy from one place to another and
changes the temperature from lower to higher. An example of a
commonly known heat pump is a domestic refrigerator. Where heat
pumps are used for heating applications, heat is removed from
the source (ambient air, water, soil or bedrock) and then discharged
where the heat is needed. Where cooling is required, the reverse
happens and heat is removed and discharged into air, water, soil
or rock.
The most common form of heat pump used within domestic dwellings
and are eligible for government funding under the low carbon buildings
programme, are ground source heat pumps
In the UK, the earth that lies a few metres below our feet, keeps
a constant temperature of about 11-12C throughout the year. The
ground has a high thermal mass which allows it to store heat from
the sun during the summer.
Ground Source heat pumps tap the heat within the ground and
convert it into energy. The heat pump operates under similar principles
to a refrigerator. The heat is captured from within the ground
by either pipes laid into trenches or down a borehole and is eventually
distributed within the building through radiators or under-floor
heating.
Performance details
The performance of Ground Source Heat Pumps is commonly measured
by the coefficient of performance (CoP) which is the ratio of
units of heat output for each unit of electricity used to power
the heat pump. Typical CoPs range from 2.5 to 4, with the higher
end of the range being for under-floor heating as it works at
a lower temperature than radiators.
A typical 8kW system costs between £6,400-£9,600
plus the price of the distribution system, although this is variable
with each property and location. Based on current fuel prices,
a ground source heat pump with a CoP of three to four can be cheaper
than space heating fuelled by oil, LPG and electric storage heaters.
MICRO-HYDROHarnessing
hydro power at micropower level means typically under 100kW and
involves utilising naturally flowing water on land, usually rivers
and streams. The type of turbine that is submerged into the water
depends upon the site, geological formation of the land and flow
of water present.
Hydraulic power can be captured wherever a flow of water
falls from a higher level to a lower level. This may occur where
a stream runs down a hillside, or a river passes over a waterfall
or man-made weir, or where a reservoir discharges water back into
the main river.
Performance details
The performance and size of micro-hydro schemes is very site
specific with plant ranging from a few hundred watts to 100kW,
with the higher range used for commercial schemes. For a low head
system costs are around £4,000 per kW for projects under
10kW (not including civil works) and for a medium head scheme,
there is a fixed cost of £10,000 and then about £2,500
per kW for projects under 10kW. A typical 5kW domestic scheme
may cost around £20,000-£25,000, however unit costs
drop for larger schemes.
A typical house without mains electricity connection but
with access to a micro-hydro site, can be serviced with a reliable
electricity supply at low cost.
BIOMASS
Biomass heating usually involves the use of commercial energy
crops in the form of fast-growing trees such as willow or poplar
for woodchips or waste wood products such as sawdust, pallets
or untreated recycled wood for pellets. These fuels are burned
in either pellet stoves or larger scale boilers to provide heating
and/or water heating.
Man has been producing energy from biomass for centuries,
and in many parts of the world it is still the principle source
of heat. However, modern technologies are far more efficient than
open fires and an increasing range of fuels are now being utilised.
Biomass is often called "bioenergy" or "biofuels".
These biofuels are produced from organic materials, either directly
from plants or indirectly from industrial, commercial, domestic
or agricultural products.
Performance details
The performance of biomass heating for a domestic property
depends upon the chosen system, usually either a space heating
only, or a central heating and hot water system. The stand-alone
stoves provide space heating for a room, and can sometimes be
fitted with a back-burner to provide water heating. These systems
have a typical output of 6-12 kW and are fuelled by logs or pellets.
Boilers that are connected to a central heating and hot water
system are larger with an output of more than 15kW. These systems
can usually be fuelled by logs, chips and pellets.
Depending upon the size and type of system, typical costs
for stand-alone room heaters are between £1,500-£3,000
installed and for a typical 20kW pellet boiler around £5,000
installed. Running costs are based upon the type of fuel, which
generally depends on the distance from the supplier, so is therefore
more favourable if located in an area without gas supply.
FUEL CELLS
A fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen (from air) in an electrochemical
reaction. Unlike technologies which "burn" fuel, with
fuel cells the conversion takes place electrochemically without
combustion. Fuel cells are used in portable applications (mobile
phone and laptop battery replacements), mobile applications (cars,
buses, planes, etc) and stationary applications (as UPS, standby
power, distributed microCHP or as large MW electrical generator).
Fuel cells can be run on a wide variety of fuels, and importantly,
fuel cells make fuels last longer. When run on pure hydrogen fuel
generated by renewable energy sources, fuel cells produce no carbon
or other toxic emissions at all, and can therefore help tackle
environmental and energy security challenges. In addition, fuel
cells are quiet, have low maintenance requirements, have high
energy densities and high efficiencies.
Performance details
Fuel cells offer an excellent contribution to the reliability
of energy supplies, as they can be run on a wide and growing range
of fuels, including bio-fuels, and in conjunction with other energy
sources—gas and coal turbine generation, wind and photovoltaics—to
provide overall improved efficiencies, reliable and secure supplies.
In addition, they can help to provide a buffer for fluctuating
renewable power.
As micro-CHP devices in the home, fuel cells can use existing
gas supplies and replace conventional boilers to provide heat
and power as needed, with an overall energy efficiency of 80-90%
and a carbon saving estimated to be around 1 to 2.6 tonnes CO2
per year.
208
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/Surveyenglishhousing
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/TrendNewBuild
http://new.wales.gov.uk/desh/publications/housing/betterhomes/strategye?lang=en Back
209
Review of Sustainability of Existing Buildings, Department for
Communities and Local Government-November 2006 available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/154500 Back
210
Micropower Council-Response to the Government's energy review
"Our energy challenge: securing clean, affordable energy
for the long-term" April 2006 available at http://www.micropower.co.uk/publications/publications.html Back
211
Sustainable Consumption Roundtable October 2005 report, "Seeing
the light: the impact of microgeneration on the way we use energy"
available at www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications/downloads/micro-generationreport.pdf Back
212
Source: "Our energy challenge: Microgeneration Strategy:
Power from the people" Department of Trade and Industry,
March 2006. http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file27575.pdf Back
213
Survey carried out by IPSOS Mori-sponsored by Utility Week Magazine
and Accenture Management Consultants Back
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"Potential for microgeneration report" Energy Saving
Trust 2005 Back
215
DCLG Changes to Permitted Development: Consultation Paper 1-Permitted
Development Rights for Householder Microgeneration; 4 April
to 27 June 2007, available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/367/ChangestoPermittedDevelopmentConsultationPaper1PermittedDevelopmentRightsforHoun_id1509367.pdf Back
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Source: "Our energy challenge: Microgeneration Strategy:
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