Microgeneration for buildings
Microgeneration (or micro-generation) is the local production of electricity or heat on a very small scale in comparison to the typical output of a power station. Generating locally to demand provides an alternative to the traditional method of centralised generation distributed by the national grid. Typically, this is more efficient as distribution and transmission losses are greatly reduced.
Typically, microgeneration has an output of under 45kW for heat and under 50kW for electricity. Microgeneration systems include:
- Air source heat pumps – absorb heat from the external air and use it to warm buildings and water. Three to four units of heat are produced for every one unit of electricity required to drive the pump.
- Ground source heat pumps – heat from the ground is transferred and used to heat buildings and water. Similar to air source pumps they provide three to four units of heat for every one unit of electricity needed to run the pump.
- Bio-energy – this form of renewable energy is produced from biomass and organic materials. The carbon it emits is offset by the amount it absorbs, hence it is often regarded as carbon neutral. A few examples of suitable biomass fuels frequently used in community schemes and households are wood chips, logs and pellets.
- Solar photo-voltaic panels – create electricity by using energy from the sun. Compared with other renewable energy technologies, it can be expensive to install a PV system but they need very little maintenance.
- Solar thermal panels – use the heat from the sun to heat water. Heating water accounts for about a quarter of typical energy usage, so installing a solar thermal water system can reduce bills and a buildings carbon footprint.
- Small scale hydro-electric – a turbine is turned by the flow of water which uses the energy from moving water to create electricity. Hydro-electric systems below 100kW are sometimes considered to constitute microgeneration.
- Wind turbines – the wind flow turns a generator to make electricity. The UK has around 40% of Europe’s total wind energy.
- Micro-CHP – combined heat and power, sometimes referred to as ‘cogeneration’, a process in which the heat that is created as a by-product of power generation is captured and used rather than simply being wasted.
- Fuel cells.
Some microgeneration systems are considered to be ‘green’ as they use renewable fuels rather than fossil-fuels. The use of local and secure renewable resources means there is less dependence on non-renewable energy and a decrease in the production of carbon dioxide and other green house gases.
On 1 April 2010, the Government’s Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) introduced Feed-in Tariffs (FIT’s). Consumers who generate their own electricity from a renewable or low-carbon source can qualify for a payment (‘Feed-in Tariff’ (FIT)) for each unit of electricity generated. Consumers can also qualify for an ‘export tariff’ by selling surplus electricity back to their supplier.
Allowable technologies are:
- Solar photovoltaic panels.
- Wind turbines.
- Water turbines.
- Anaerobic digestion (biogas energy).
- Micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP).
This has lead to a sharp increase in microgeneration. The Government views microgeneration as a significant part of the power and energy strategy for the UK in the years ahead. By far the most installations registered under the Government’s FIT scheme are solar photovoltaics.
NB: The building regulations define microgeneration as:
...the use for the generation of electricity or the production of heat or cooling of any plant (which for this purpose includes any equipment, apparatus or appliance) which, in generating electricity or (as the case may be) producing heat or cooling, relies wholly or mainly on a source of energy or a technology mentioned in section 26(2) of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 |
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air source heat pumps.
- Alternating current and direct current.
- Battery energy storage systems with grid-connected solar photovoltaics BR 514.
- CHP.
- DC isolators for photovoltaic systems (FB 68).
- Domestic micro-generation.
- Electricity supply.
- Energy storage.
- Engineering Recommendation G99.
- Future of electricity in domestic buildings.
- Ground source heat pumps.
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
- Micro-CHP.
- Microgeneration certification scheme.
- Microgeneration Certification Scheme 2020.
- Micro-grids.
- Pavegen.
- Power generation.
- Renewable Energy Consumer Code RECC.
- Smart Export Guarantee SEG.
- Solar photovoltaics.
- Solar thermal panels.
- Types of fuel.
- VAT hike puts brakes on home solar and batteries.
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.