The potential of micro-generation has been critically overlooked as a means of meeting the UK’s energy needs, according to a report published by the New Economics Foundation.

The thinktank behind the report claims that the cost of new nuclear power has been underestimated by almost a factor of three and the potential of small scale renewables critically overlooked.

“Nuclear power has been promoted in the UK and globally as the answer to climate change and energy insecurity,” says the report. “But as a response to global warming, nuclear power is too slow, too expensive and too limited.”

According to the foundation, a broader combination of renewable energy sources than is currently used, operating with a range of micro-, small-, medium- and large-scale technologies could more than meet all of our needs. “In the UK, for example, one estimate suggests that if just one third of electricity customers installed 2 kW of micro-generation, using solar photovoltaic or wind systems, it would match the capacity of the UK nuclear programme,” the report says.

In order to realise the full benefits of renewable energy and micro-generation the NEF calls for the removal of anti-renewable distortions. In particular it wants to see: current funding for renewables matching that made available to the nuclear industry during its period of peak research and construction; local authorities setting targets for the uptake of certain micro-generators; and an obligation for all electricity supplies to purchase electricity from micro-generators.

The number of micro-combined heat and power installations in the UK is set to grow rapidly over the next five years years, according to British Gas. The company is predicting that by 2010, 200,000 UK households will have micro-CHP plant installed and points to industry forecasts that micro-CHP appliances will account for nearly 10% of all boiler installations by the same period.

British Gas is working with partner firm Microgen in the development of a Stirling engine-based unit that can be wall hung like an existing boiler. The appliance is currently going through final development and testing and is expected to be commercially available in spring 2007.

British Gas claims that the installation of a chp unit could cut a typical household energy bill by around £150 a year, while reductions in carbon dioxide emission of one and a half tonnes a year could be expected.

Source

Building Sustainable Design