In the Irish electricity market at present, only one supply company (ESB Customer Supply) is currently offering consumers a microgeneration feed-in tariff support scheme under certain terms and conditions. This tariff is offered on a commercial basis and it is open to other supply companies to enter this market.
Further details of the ESB micro generation scheme are available at:
http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/en/generator-connections/micro_gen_connections.jsp
In order to connect micro generation and to avail of the microgeneration support offered by ESB, certain technical specifications must be adhered to. For small low voltage micro generators: EN 50438 with specific Irish Protection settings appropriate to the ESB Network55 applies and details are provided at:
http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/en/generator-connections/micro_gen_connections.jsp
EN 50438 specifies the requirements for the connection of micro-generators in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks and defines micro generation as a source of electrical energy and all associated equipment designed to operate in parallel with the low voltage system, rated up to and including:
• 25A at low voltage[230V], when the network connection is single phase, or
• 16A at low voltage [230/400V], when the network connection is three phase.
The micro-generator must conform to the conditions governing the connection and operation of micro-generation available online at:
http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/en/downloads/conditions_governing_the_connection_and_operation_of_microgeneration_131106.pdf
SI 201 of 2012 provides for the refund of VAT paid by farmers on qualifying equipment, purchased from 1 January 2012, for the purposes of micro-generation of electricity for use in a farm business.
SI 201 of 2012
SEAI Microgeneration Pilot Scheme
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is currently running a micro-generation pilot scheme – see www.seai.ie/microgeneration . The principal objective of the pilot is to investigate and test technical, market and regulatory issues associated with the installation, network connection and operation of small and micro scale generation technologies. An associated programme objective is to assess measures required for supplier and product qualification to minimise the risk of adverse outcomes at small-scale and micro-generation installations, hence promoting the robust growth of a supply base.
It is recognised that the equipment used for microgeneration needs to be safe and reliable and should perform to the specified standards. Installation quality may also impact performance and safety, and therefore there is a need for standards for microgeneration installations and for installer training. By ensuring that the technical specifications and standards for equipment and installations are properly defined, the secure running of the electricity system can be maintained.
The standards being applied to these installations are based on those shown in the table below. In some instances, where 3rd party independent verification testing had not occurred (e.g. micro wind turbines), manufacturers test reports were reviewed and accepted where they indicated that test to the requirements of the standard had been carried out by the manufacturer.
|
Technology |
Standard |
Detail |
|
Micro Wind Turbines |
EN 61400-2 |
Concerned with all subsystems of SWT such as protection mechanisms, internal electrical systems, mechanical systems, support structures, foundations and the electrical interconnection with the load |
|
EN 61400-11 |
Acoustic noise measurement techniques |
|
EN 61400-12 |
Procedure for measuring the power performance characteristics of a single wind turbine and applies to the testing of wind turbines of all types and sizes connected to the electrical power network. |
|
EN 50438 |
Requirements for the connection of micro-generators in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks |
|
73/23/EEC |
Low Voltage Directive (LVD) |
|
98/37/EC |
Machinery Directive |
|
|
89/336/EEC |
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) |
|
Photo Voltaic |
EN 61215 |
Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules. Design qualification and type approval |
|
EN 61646 |
Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules. Design qualification and type approval |
|
EN 50380 |
Datasheet and nameplate information for photovoltaic modules |
|
EN 50438 |
Requirements for the connection of micro-generators in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks |
|
73/23/EEC |
Low Voltage Directive (LVD) |
|
98/37/EC |
Machinery Directive |
|
|
89/336/EEC |
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) |
|
Hydro |
IEC 60193 |
Hydraulic turbines, storage pumps and pump-turbines – Model acceptance tests |
|
EN 50438 |
Requirements for the connection of micro-generators in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks |
All pilot installations in SEAI’s microgeneration pilot programme are subject to a performance monitoring period of 18 months. The pilot programme is expected to run until mid 2011.
In conjunction with the pilot trials, the market potential of microgeneration and the possible supports that would be needed to achieve that potential are being considered.
Greener Homes & Reheat
The Greener Homes scheme provides a grant to domestic property owners to contribute to the initial capital cost of installing a renewable heating technology in an existing home. The ReHeat scheme provides support for similar renewable heating systems for larger scale entities in the commercial, industrial, community and public sectors. The Table below outlines the supported technologies and the standards that apply.
|
Renewable Technology |
Standards |
Details |
|
Heat Pumps (Greener Homes scheme and Reheat scheme) |
IS EN 14511
|
Minimum Coefficient of Performance required for each heat pump type (Air/water, water/water, brine/water, direct expansion). |
|
89/336/EEC |
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) |
|
73/23/EEC |
Low Voltage Directive (LVD) |
|
97/23/EC |
Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) |
|
Solar
Collectors (Greener Homes scheme and Reheat scheme) |
IS EN 12975 |
Thermal solar systems and components - solar collectors: general requirements and test methods. |
|
IS EN 12976
|
Thermal solar systems and components - factory made systems: general requirements and test methods. |
|
IS ENV 12977 |
Thermal solar systems and
Components - custom built systems: general requirements and test methods. |
|
Wood pellet & Wood chip boilers (Greener Homes Scheme and Reheat scheme), wood gasifier boilers (Greener Homes Scheme) |
IS EN 303-5 |
Terminology requirements, testing and marking |
|
73/23/EEC |
Low Voltage Directive (LVD) |
|
98/37/EC |
Machinery Directive |
|
|
Minimum efficiency level and maximum emission levels (CO, organic gaseous compounds and Dust particles) are also imposed on boilers as part of registration process. |
|
Wood Pellet Stoves (Greener Homes Scheme) |
IS EN 14785 |
Residential space heating appliances fired by wood pellets - requirements and test methods |
|
73/23/EEC |
Low Voltage Directive (LVD) |
|
98/37/EC |
Machinery Directive |
|
|
Minimum efficiency level and maximum emission levels (CO, organic gaseous compounds and Dust particles) are also imposed on boilers as part of registration process. |
SEAI instituted a quality standards programme for the Greener Homes and Reheat schemes based on inspection of installations. 10% of Greener Homes installations were inspected and in excess of 10% Reheat installations. Where the equipment installed did not meet the criteria as specified in the above table, the grant funding was not awarded. SEAI with Greener Homes publish a list of all products on the market in Ireland that meet the standards identified. While ongoing monitoring of equipment performance would be beneficial, the programme resources did not allow for metering for installations in the scheme.