[ Spotlight: RHI ] The RHI – your questions answered
the costs associated with it before it can be included in the RHI. The Department of Energy and Climate Change has previously explained: ‘For air source heat pumps, work is ongoing to develop a robust methodology for measuring heat delivered in the form of hot air. Subject to successful conclusion of this work, and other factors (such as the role of cooling as opposed to heating in such systems), we intend to extend eligibility to this technology from 2012.’
Do contractors need any particular training? For installations up to and including 45 kWh, installers and equipment must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent standard. Contractors may, therefore, need appropriate training before applying for certification.
Why has the RHI been introduced? The government has set a legally-binding target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 34 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050 (from base 1990 levels). So the coalition will have to speed up change by toughening legislation such as Part L of the Building Regulations and the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme, and by introducing green initiatives to change behaviour.
The UK target is to source 15 per cent of its energy from renewable means by 2020. Heat generated from renewables currently only meets 1 per cent of the UK’s total heat demand. To reach the 2020 renewable energy target, around 12 per cent of the UK’s heat needs to be generated from renewable sources. The £860m RHI scheme is expected to increase green capital investment by £4.5bn.
How does it work?
The RHI will encourage installation of equipment such as solar thermal panels, biomass boilers and ground- and water- source heat pumps to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions. This will be done by giving out a tariff for generation of heat (in terms of pence/ kWh) by renewable fuels. So far, RHI tariff levels have only been announced for the commercial and industrial sectors. RHI tariff payments for the domestic sector
will start alongside the Green Deal financial incentive in October 2012. Details on that
phase of the RHI should be available early in 2012. However, in the meantime, the government is providing £15m for so-called Renewable Heat Premium Payments to homeowners for up to 25,000 installations. Grants for the following technologies are available: n Ground source heat pump – £1,250 grant (for homes without mains gas heating) n Biomass boiler – £950 grant (for homes without mains gas heating); n Air source heat pump – £850 grant (for homes without mains gas heating); and n Solar thermal hot water panels – £300 grant (available to all households regardless of the type of heating system used).
Have any technologies been excluded in the RHI scheme? Yes. Air source heat pumps. The government has decided this particular type of heat pump needs more work to better understand
Is it worth investing in the training? This will be a big market. By 2020 the government estimates that the renewable heat sector will have grown to include around: n 110,000 installations in the commercial and public sector, supplying 25 per cent of the heat demand in these sectors; and n 13,000 installations in industry.
What’s in the fine print? Key aspects of the RHI scheme: n Payments will be made quarterly over a 20-year period;
n Biomass installations of 1MWh capacity and above will be required to report quarterly on the sustainability of their biomass feedstock;
n Eligible installations completed after 15 July 2009, but before the start of the RHI, will be eligible for support; and
n The RHI will be administered by Ofgem.
Where can I go for more information? For details on the RHI scheme:
www.decc.
gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/ Renewable_ener/incentive/
incentive.aspx
www.ofgem.gov.uk/e-serve/RHI/Pages/RHI. aspx For details on Renewable Heat Premium Payments:
www.energysavingtrust.org. uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Financial- incentives/Renewable-Heat-Premium- Payment For details on MCS accreditation:
www.microgenerationcertification.org For details on training:
www.nsaet.org.uk
January 2012 ECA Today 45
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