Micro Hydro Association

_31st December HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS OF 2011

Below is a summary of the key events affecting micro hydro during the year, the activities of the administrator, and some thoughts for the mha’s future.

Feed-in Tariff, MCS

In April, DECC extended by six months the transitional period in which micro hydro schemes could obtain accreditation for FiT eligibility under Ofgem’s ROOFIT process, rather than being required to go through MCS.  Then in June, DECC announced that micro hydro would be decoupled from what DECC termed “the exclusive link with MCS”, stating that further consideration would be given in the “Comprehensive FiT review”, and extending the ROOFIT period for a further six months to 1 April 2012.  (There are as yet no Certification Bodies offering or planning to offer MCS product or installer certification.)

DECC rescheduled the Comprehensive FiT review and associated consultation for the end of 2011 but as yet have neither made an announcement as to its purpose, content, nor given a start date.  Given the issues arising from the fast track review of the FiT for solar energy schemes, this leaves it unclear as to the support that all other renewables technologies, including micro hydro, can expect from the FiT in the future.

Environment Agencies

The Scottish agency (SEPA) concluded the consultation on updating their hydropower guidance and the English and Welsh agency (EA) started theirs.  In both cases, the agencies are adopting an increasingly precautionary approach, partly owing to heavy pressure from fisheries and angling interests and from Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage.  For micro hydro schemes, the guidance given to landowners and developers often appears to be overkill when considering the very small scale impacts these schemes can have on the environment and ecology of a catchment area, a river basin, or the UK as a whole.

SEPA are still reviewing their licensing procedures, establishing “virtual” licensing teams, and tending to follow the guidance to the letter rather than the spirit.

The EA have yet to complete their consultation assessment and publish their new guidance for “small and micro scale hydropower”.   This is likely to happen in the first quarter of 2012.  I am faintly optimistic that there will be some attempt to incorporate a proportionate approach to licensing the smaller scale schemes that the mha and its members are concerned with.

Micro Hydro Association

membership

The mha has grown from 99 members at the end of 2010 to 135 members at the end of 2011. There are 80 current and potential generators and supporters, and 55 who offer supplies and services.

mha forum

Use of the forum by those who have joined (74) has been very limited and I feel that it has not come into its own.  Only 15 of the 74 logged in after joining the forum and 23 were removed after not applying for membership of the mha within 2 weeks.

I would welcome views on this, but propose to keep the forum open in case a need arises for the mha to support open discussion.

administrator activity

At the start of the year I ended my involvement with development of standards for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, having comcluded that the approach being taken by DECC/Gemserv was unworkable for hydropower.  Later, I contributed to an unofficial review of MCS being undertaken by a consultant to the DECC Minister, Greg Barker.  I have asked to see the report but none has been forthcoming.

During the year much of my time relating to the mha has been taken up attending meetings with the Environment Agency (England and Wales), mostly by teleconference and occasionally on EA premises.  The EA invited the mha, and the British Hydropower Association, to help to steer the EA in its production of an updated set of guidelines for “small and micro scale hydropower”.  I have attempted to supplement valuable input from BHA members by constantly drawing the EA’s attention to the absence of proportionate consideration for micro scale schemes and suggesting ways to incorporate this.

I have also met with the Scottish environment agency and with a member of the Scottish Office with responsibility for onshore hydro who visited a number of micro hydro schemes recently built and installed in Dumfries & Galloway by mha members.

I have maintained the website www.microhydroassociation.co.uk, and established a new parallel site www.microhydroassociation.org to take over when Microsoft switch off the Microsoft Office Live service and cease to host either the mha site or the mha email addresses; this is scheduled for 30 April 2012.

future of the mha

For 2012, I invite members to volunteer to take over the administration of the mha as I would like to reduce my involvement.  A number of members have suggested that the association should seek some funding for this work which is at present unpaid (by design).  Don’t all rush to apply but all offers will be considered! 

It has also been suggested the mha could itself set up processes to accredit installers and products in the micro hydro sector; an applicant would need to convince existing experienced members of his/her understanding of (micro) hydro design principles and the essential legal requirements for building and installing schemes, as well as possessing, or having access to, the skills needed.  Perhaps this could be done in co-operation with an organisation developing training services?

I wish a very Happy New Year to all mha members – may many more micro hydro schemes be commissioned in 2012.
Ends

19 December 2011 Environment Agency charging consultation

My final response to this consultation is here (see entry of 11 November below).  Thanks to those who sent in their views which I have tried to incorporate. If you wish to add further comments, you can use the discussion forum.

11 November 2011 Environment Agency charging consultation

I have been advised of this consultation which runs from 28 Sep 2011 to 21 Dec 2011.  Amongst other changes, it proposes a new regime for charging for pre-application advice for abstraction licensing following 15 hours free advice.  I have drafted a response here and invite your views before I submit it.  I also encourage you to respond to the consultation independently.  Here is a copy of the consultation paper.

8 November 2011 Eligibility for the Feed-in tariff, MCS and alternative certification for micro hydro

Further to DECC's proposal that the “exclusive link” between micro hydro and MCS will be “withdrawn” (see previous news 30 July 2011 and earlier), and that this issue will be addressed when the Comprehensive Review of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for technologies other than solar PV is completed (“around the end of 2011”), I have once again asked DECC whether any clarification of the exclusive link statement can yet be given or when and by what process the issue will be addressed.  I have just received a partial answer from a member of the team originally dealing with MCS (my italics):

“The current FITs accreditation situation is set out here:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/microgen/micro_hydro/micro_hydro.aspx.  In essence, this means that until next April, ROO-FIT is sufficient to access FITs. 

As you know, part of the FITs review work will address alternative accreditation for micro-hydro and something should go out before New Year.  Since accreditation is a FITs led issues,  not mine, my personal guess is that there will be various options presented to the industry. Accreditation for FITs and standards is one on which Minister said the industry should decide, not DECC.  In your position at this stage, I would ensure the industry develops a coherent and informed economic view regarding post-installation certification/accreditation (e.g. Gastec’s),  to ensure everyone would prefer that, if it is “offered”. 

As for MCS, the temporary lists are still open presumably on a voluntary basis. Rick and the working group seems to be doing some work on the MCS side too – but not at our behest. BRE does not seem to be planning to deliver it at this stage simply because of the industry’s decision to detach it from FITs. . . . .”

I think it will be useful for the micro hydro community to review carefully the proposition of design and post-installation reviews should this emerge – it will presumably mean a direct cost to the end users but this should give them a better assurance and better transparency than would be the case with the hidden costs of MCS accreditation.


31 October 2011 Comprehensive Review Phase 1 of the Feed-in Tariffs scheme, focusing on Solar PV

DECC announced this review today.  Microhydro schemes will be covered later in the year, a delay from the original intention - see extract below (my highlighting):

"The consultation is the first of two on the comprehensive review of the FITs that were announced at the start of the year (in addition to the fast-track review, which has now been completed). DECC will be publishing a separate consultation around the end of 2011, which will consider other aspects of the scheme including tariffs for other technologies."

Seminar on low head hydropower 7 November 2011
An EU-funded project Hylow (Hydropower with very low head differences, - see www.hylow.eu and details here) are organising a seminar / workshop on latest developments in low head hydropower at Southampton University on 7th November 2011.

20 October 2011 Renewable Obligations Banding Review

DECC have announced a consultation on Renewable Obligations tariffs.  These do not affect micro hydro (below 50kW capacity) but may indicate the direction of the Feed-in Tariff consultation also due to take place this autumn.
The press notice is here.

20 October 2011 OFGEM Consultation on definition of generating equipment

This consultation closes on 21st October (see entry of 29 September below).

I have responded to the consultation as follows:

    I propose the inclusion of a clarification on these lines:

    “The Generating Equipment previously used in another ROO- or FiT-accredited Generating Station would not cause      a new Generating Station using a different water resource to be excluded from FiT eligibility.”

This is because it is the Generating Station that is made eligible for the FiT.  If a new Generating Station were to be excluded from eligibility it would defeat the combined purposes of the FiT which are both to increase the generation of electricity from renewable  resources and to stimulate investment in the infrastructure required.  The accredited Generating Station from which Generating Equipment had been removed would no longer be receiving the FiT unless it had been refurbished with replacement Generating Equipment.

Tour of hydro schemes 15 and16 October 2011
The South Somerset Hydropower Group and the Mendip Power Group are hosting another of their popular hydropower tours over the weekend of 15th and 16th October. An extra screw turbine is included this time, to add to the variety of sites.  You can also see the details on their website at http://www.gantsmill.co.uk/hydropower.htm#tour or download an application form.

4 October 2011 Feed-in Tariff registrations
 
Here are the details of hydro schemes registered for the FiT since 1 April 2010, extracted from OFGEM's latest quarterly report.

2 October 2011 Red Tape Challenge (see entry for 4 September below)

The consultation for Environment regulation closes on 3 October.  There is no legislation or regulation listed for comment that refers specifically to micro hydro, but I have made this submission.  There will be another opportunity to comment on Energy legislation and regulation in November - see website: http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk or send a submission to the Red Tape Challenge Team at redtapechallenge@bis.gsi.gov.uk.

29 September 2011 OFGEM Consultation on definition of generating equipment

This consultation closes on 21st October.  It includes consideration of what constitutes hydro scheme plant for the purposes of accreditation under the ROO-FIT process (which is currently running alongside the transitional MCS scheme for access to the Feed-in Tariff - see entry below of 30 July).

22 September 2011 Environment Agency HYDROPOWER GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES consultation

Thanks to those who have commented on my draft or have made their own responses on-line.  My final response from the mha went in today. It is here.

I have modified my general comments and have included (red text) detailed comments/modifications I have received from mha members and others.

The consultation closes tomorrow 23rd September.  After this the EA, supported by the hydro working group, will consider all the responses and issue an updated guidance document – currently rescheduled for the end of February 2012.

The EA is also planning shortly to issue interim guidance to their officers on some aspects.


8 September 2011
The Environment Agency HYDROPOWER GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES consultation
I have now drafted a response for comment before I submit it to the EA.  I am emailing all members and others to ask people to respond to the consultation and also to let me have views on my draft (MS Word version here, and .pdf version here).  The papers referred to in the consultation questions are here: Part 1, and Part 2.

Please submit your individual responses on the EA website: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/br/gpg/review

4 September 2011
Reminder: The Environment Agency HYDROPOWER GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES consultation closes on 23 September
I have been involved with the hydropower working group set up by the EA to prepare and run the consultation and will also be submitting a response on behalf of the Micro Hydro Association.  I will email members first and post a draft here for comment before I submit this response.

and a new consultation by DECC and DEFRA
This could be an opportunity to illustrate to the government some of the delays and difficulties in planning and environmental application processes as they affect micro hydro schemes.
Below is an abstract from the announcement - for full details see the web link:
"As you may be aware, the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ was launched in April to open up Government regulation to the scrutiny and challenge of the public, businesses and experts. The website is being used to gather innovative ideas on how the aims of our regulations can be fulfilled in the most successful and least burdensome ways. Ultimately, we hope to encourage greater personal responsibility and remove barriers to growth by freeing up businesses from red tape. . . .

. . . .We are looking for all of our stakeholders – the public, businesses, local authorities, representative bodies and non-governmental organisations – to tell us how our policies are working in practice and what can be done to improve them. The more specific you can be the better – we are looking to make real difference to how our objectives are achieved. Please do comment on the website: http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk or send a submission to the Red Tape Challenge Team at redtapechallenge@bis.gsi.gov.uk".
30 July 2011 Eligibility for the Feed-in tariff and MCS micro hydro standards (corrected/updated 24 June)

There has been an update from DECC stating that the amendment to the FiT order (no 2) will now extend the "ROO-FIT" period to 31 March 2012, not October 2011 as previously announced.

Below is the statement (however the external link to the order is incorrect and should be to this document - also available here):
Micro hydro certification and access to Feed-in Tariffs (FITS) In June 2011 the Coalition published a Microgeneration Strategy which proposed to withdraw the exclusive link between micro hydro and the MCS for the purpose of FITs eligibility. It also confirmed that the comprehensive review of FITs is considering how this can be taken forward. We will consult on the comprehensive review later this year. The review will be completed by around the end of 2011 with any resulting changes introduced from April 2012 (unless the review reveals a need for greater urgency).

In the meantime, and pending the outcome of the comprehensive review, the Feed-in Tariffs (Specified Maximum Capacity and Functions) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2011 [External link], which was laid in Parliament on 8th July 2011 and will come into force on 1st August 2011, extends the current transitional arrangement. This means that micro-hydro stations (with a capacity of 50kW or less) that are first commissioned between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2012 will need to be accredited for FITs under the ROO-FIT process, administrated by Ofgem.

1 July 2011SEPA Better environmental regulation consultation (completed)
See Response to the Better Environmental Regulation: SEPA's Change Proposals Consultation

1 July 2011 Environment Agency HYDROPOWER GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES consultation (new)
(See also entries for 8th March 5th April and 20th April below)

The EA has published a consultation today. It will run for 12 weeks, closing on 23 September 2011. 

Full details of the consultation can be found on the EA website at: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal

We and the British Hydropower Association will be considering how best to respond as associations - I will post notes here and email members shortly.

22 June 2011 Eligibility for the Feed-in tariff and MCS micro hydro standards (corrected/updated 24 June)

There has been announcement today from DECC/Greg Barker Minister of State.  Full details of the MCS/FiT link for micro hydro can be found on the DECC website - we are seeking clarification and further details from DECC.

Below is an extract from the microgeneration strategy document where it refers explicitly to micro hydro: (my highlighting):

3.19 Micro hydro continues to make progress. Many of the applications are unique but some of the subsystems are repeatable. As Britain acquires knowledge in this and other technology areas, there may be scope to share this information with partners overseas, to the benefit of the UK economy. A specific area for development is to increase the pool of competent engineers. In order to do that, further work is required on developing a competency framework for the micro hydro industry based on agreed industry standards.

3.20 There have been a number of complaints about the impact of micro hydro schemes (systems up to 50kW) on the local environment, and fish in particular. We are keen to encourage sustainable hydro schemes, and the Environment Agency carefully considers all aspects of environmental protection before granting a licence. They are currently updating the Hydro Good Practice Guide together with hydro developers, the fishing community and other stakeholders, and this should be published at the end of the year.

3.21 Responses to the consultation also suggested that MCS is restricting micro hydro development in the UK. MCS does play an important role in the Feed-In Tariff accreditation process in helping to simplify it. However, there is a case to treat micro hydro differently due to the special and complex nature of micro hydro development. We are therefore proposing to withdraw the exclusive link between micro hydro and the MCS for the purpose of the Feed-In Tariff eligibility. We will consider how this can be taken forward as part of comprehensive review of the Feed-In Tariff.

31 May 2011 SEPA Hydro Guideline consultation responses
I have now met Pauline Silverman of SEPA to discuss the issues raised in my letter to SEPA's chairman. A micro hydro installer Euan McConnell and the local SEPA officer Shona McFarlane also discussed some local schemes. The results of this useful and positive meeting are noted here.

Three points I would highlight are:

1. SEPA lack confidence in hydro scheme installers as a result of a number of badly implemented schemes, some of them sub judice
2. the confirmation from SEPA that the limit lower limit of 6% slope in a depleted reach of >1500m is assessed on the length of reach after deducting the lengths of sections with >6% slope.
3. RM34 tests are not made for abstraction applications with an output of less than 0.35GWh/annum passing the standard guidance checklists because the schemes are deemed to have a minimal (unmeasurable) net impact on the environment.

31 May2011 Feed-in tariff arrangements change
See previous entry of 11th May - this is an extract from a confirming message from DECC:

You don’t need to use a MCS product if you first commissioned after 1st April 2010 and the [development]  ends before 1st October 2011 for installations below 50kW. You need to check with Ofgem how you register this etc and any other requirements.

11 April 2011 Feed-in tariff arrangements change
The original order is being amended to achieve the following:

• Provide a transitional arrangement allowing micro-hydro stations (with a capacity of 50kW or less) that are first commissioned between 1st April 2010 and 1st October 2011, to be accredited for FITs under the ROO-FIT process.  After this transitional period, the MCS-FIT accreditation process will apply as originally envisaged.

• Extend by a year the period in which eligible microgenerators (with a capacity of less than 50kW) can notify Ofgem to enable them to transfer from the Renewables Obligation to FITs.
• Ensure that the original policy intent on FITs and grants is properly reflected, by time limiting the period in which installations that have benefited from a public grant can also be eligible for FITs under the de minimis rules.
  

Attached are extracts from the full amendment order highlighted where relevant for micro hydro generators and installers.

The amendments come into force on 30 May 2011.

20 April 2011 Environment Agency HYDROPOWER GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES
(See also entries for 8th March and 5th April below)

For updates on the work mha members are doing to contribute to the EA's preparation for the public consultation, please join the mha discussion forum and navigate to the topic Environment Agency "Good Practice Guidelines" consultation.

Tour of hydro schemes
South Somerset Hydropower Group and Mendip Power Group invite you to attend A Tour of Eight Hydropower Installations

on Saturday 16th April, 2011 and Sunday 17th April,2011

More details on the Gantsmill website and here.

11 April 2011 Feed-in tariff consultation
A DECC-led consultation on the fast-track review of Feed-in Tariffs for small scale low carbon electricity ends tomorrow.  I have submitted a response to this consultation which contains a pre-comprehensive consultation question:

Q8: Do you have any suggestions or thoughts on the scope of the comprehensive  FITs review (by Tuesday 12 April 2011).

7th April 2011 Training for developers?
DECC is exploring the issue of a lack of courses and training for micro hydro developers.

I have created a topic on the mha forum to encourage others to give thought to the matter.

5th April 2011 EA HYDROPOWER GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES
A planning meeting on the Environment Agency consultation on their guidelines took place in london today.  I will post further details as they become available, inviting comments and contributions from members.

One of the main issues to be addressed is the inclusion of guidelines for high head schemes.

18 March 2011 Feed-in tariff from 1 April 2011
The new tariffs are announced today here.  The rates applicable to hydro schemes are approx 3% higher than for 2010-2011:

Total installed capacity        FiT (p/kWh)
-----------------------------    ---------------
GENERATION TARIFF
<= 15kW:                          20.9
> 15kW but < 100kW:         18.7
> 100kW but < 2MW:          11.5
> 2MW:                               4.7

<=50kW commissioned on or before 14th July 2009 and accredited under the ROO on or before 31st March 2010:
                                          9.4

EXPORT TARIFF:                   3.1
(deemed export still 75% of generated energy)

15 March 2011 Revised MCS Transition procedures
Gemserv have released un updated version of the procedures they will follow for certifying hydro products and installers until certification bodies offer certification.

8 March 2011 REMINDER: DECC's Microgeneration Strategy Consultation closes on 16th March Please contribute your views.

My response is here and on the mha forum (see topic:DECC/Coalition Microgeneration Strategy Consultation)

8 March 2011 Scottish Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) Loan Fund
Please note the announcement.

This scheme may help with the initial stages of planning for micro hydro schemes in Scotland from April 2011.

8 March 2011 ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CONSULTATION (England and Wales)
A new consultation on HYDROPOWER GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES is to be conducted by the EA later this year.  The mha has been invited to participate in a working group to precede the full public consultation.  If you have experience of using these guidelines, please contact me (mha administrator).

14 February 2011 Petition for early adopters of microgeneration
There is a new petition on this website.

12 February 2011 SEPA Hydro Guideline consultation responses
The response to consultees provided by SEPA does not at first sight appear to take into account the comments (part 1 and part 2) made by the 55 people and organisations participating in the consultation.  Dr Sue Peppé has analysed the comments in detail and produced a critique and detailed analysis in comparison with the SEPA document and I have written to SEPA with concerns about the consultation process.

4 February 2011 Public information on river flows
Thanks to his making a request under the Freedom of Information Act, mha member Euan McConnell has obtained re-publication on the web of information of the National River Flow Archive which was formerly in the public domain.  It is now available again on the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology website.  This provides important data for designing micro hydro schemes.

1 February 2011 SEPA Hydro Guideline consultation responses
SEPA have today posted their response to consultees.

28 January 2011 SEPA Hydro Guideline consultation responses
These are the Consultation Responses (part 1 and part 2) provided to the mha under the Freedom of Information Act on 27th January.  I have also requested that SEPA provide documents showing how decisions about these responses were reached when preparing the guidance (draft version from 24/12/2010)

If you responded to the consultation, please let me have any comments on the extent to which you believe your views were addressed in the guidelines

24 January 2011 Eligibility for the Feed-in tariff and MCS micro hydro standards

Following the publication of the first issues of the installer and product certification standards documents, I have decided to terminate my own involvement in the MCS hydro working group since the management panel responsible for the MCS has made the decision that the standards must be published despite reservations of several experienced members about the content of the standards and their suitability as a basis for certifying installers and products.

Instead I intend to focus on initiatives to introduce more suitable alternatives to MCS for the purposes of providing micro hydro schemes with access to the Feed-in Tariff.  I shall also continue to add pressure on the Coalition Government to exclude micro hydro pro tem from the MCS requirement.  

It remains to be seen which certification bodies will offer certification for micro hydro, and I understand that there will still be work done to update the MCS standards.  I will therefore attempt to keep in touch with any further work and inform mha members by email or on this website, inviting comment where requested by the MCS team or working group members.It remains to be seen which certification bodies will offer certification for micro hydro.

19 January 2011
Welcome to Jamie Wallace of Highland Eco Design - our 100th member!

19 January 2011 The first release of the "standard" for MCS Hydro product certification is now available here.
 
18 January 2011
11 months since the mha was formed, membership has reached 99!

24 December 2010 Publication of SEPA hydro guidance
SEPA have published their guidelines "Guidance for developers of run-of river hydropower schemes".  There is no reference anywhere to the fate of the consultation document that was published in March 2010 for comments by 30 April 2010.  There is still no information on the website concerning the consultation responses nor any "decision document".  I have requested sight of these and asked that they be published.

There has been no change in the guidance document since the version of 28th April 2010.

In summary, the guidance is still designed for all hydro schemes irrespective of capacity and makes very little reference to micro hydro schemes (under 50kW capacity).

22 December 2010 Discussion forum for Micro Hydro Association (trial)
I am asking a few members to trial a forum for use by members of the Micro Hydro Association only to raise and answer questions and to discuss current issues.

If you are interested in joining the trial, please email me.

Gavin King-Smith
mha administrator

22 December 2010 DECC's Microgeneration Strategy Consultation
DECC have announced the second stage of their consultation.

They had previously stated on their website that a draft strategy would be posted for comment before this stage was undertaken, but despite my formal requests for information about this, I received no response and no draft strategy was published.

The document cited in their press release today (see full DECC Press Release) contains some of the output from the working groups on the first stage, but negligible points concerning micro hydro.  I have submitted my comments (see entry below for 6th October) a second time but have little confidence that any of these will be considered.

It would be good if more people submitted comments to this final stage in case someone might notice that there is a problem.

13 December 2010 MCS product certification
A draft "Hydro Product Standard MCS016" has been circulated by MCS/Gemserv for comment to the MCS hydro working group and stakeholders.  This version contains my covering letter and comments. Several members of the Micro Hydro Association have also commented.

See Links page information on VAT and Feed-in Tariff/export payments.

30th November 2010 see link changes
DECC and Ofgem have updated their advice re Grants and the FiT.
MCS have redesigned their site and now include details of governance and proceedings.

23 November 2010 MCS transition products and installers
New entries are now appearing on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) website listings of products and installers who are certified under transitional arrangements - turbines include turgos, cross-flow turbines and Archimedean screws - there are 8 suppliers and 10 installers to date.  This will mean that micro hydro recently completed or in design/construction stages which use these products and installers will now be able to apply for the Feed-in Tariff (commissioned schemes can be registered on the MCS/Gemserv database only by an installer certified under the MCS; there is as yet no alternative "equivalent" certification process for registering schemes as eligible to receive the Feed-in Tariff).

2 November 2010 early adopters of microgeneration
See here for the Government response to the e-petition of earlier this year.

MORE RECENT STATEMENTS FROM DECC

"We are informed that he [Greg Barker, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change] will also make an announcement on schemes which are commissioned between the RO and Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs) but that micro-hydro schemes currently being planned should use approved products and installer companies, listed as 'transitional' on the MCS website www.microgenerationcertification.org. DECC has also confirmed that approved micro-hydro product and installers listed on the MCS website will be eligible for FITs (whatever their status in coming months).

We are informed that 18 installers are being assessed for listing by Gemserv, and 7 products, with an increasing number of products expected following the publication of the MCS product standard in November.

Turbines and waterwheels <50kW, which generated before 31 March 1990, will be eligible for Feed-in-Tariffs, if they are:

•     remanufactured to meet the MCS “as new” standard
•     receive a new warranty
•     reinstalled at the same site by an MCS installer company

The "as new" standard is online at:

http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/Becoming+MCS+Certificated/Product+Certification?pgid=206.

Further information is available from Gemserv."

1 November 2010
Greg Barker on YouTube talking about the Torrs Hydro scheme (Archimedes Screw) - see also this Press Release
At the same time, DECC have issued this statement:

"DECC is aware that there have been issues regarding accreditation of micro-hydro in the transition to FITs. They are seeking to resolve these and will be making an announcement shortly."

21 October 2010
Draft letters (for generators, installers, suppliers, associations) have been sent to members and others to lobby MPs concerning the industry letter of 10th October and the Minister of State's response (see previous news below).

20 October 2010
Here is an extract from an announcement by DECC this afternoon (plus follow-up on 21 October):

“Feed-In Tariffs will be refocused on the most cost-effective technologies saving £40 million in 2014-15. The changes will be implemented at the first scheduled review of tariffs unless higher than expected deployment requires an early review”

"The announcement also confirms that the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme will continue but that tariffs will be revised as part of the planned first review of FITs.  This will take place in 2012 and will take effect in April 2013 – or earlier if deployment is higher than expected.  We will shortly announce the level of deployment that would trigger an early review.     

The review of support provided by FITs will be with a view to reducing projected costs in 2014/15 by at least £40 million i.e. 10% to maximise value for money."

13 October 2010
Response to Letter to Greg Barker (see 6 October entry)

We expect to follow this up with further representations.  The letter may offer a glimmer of hope for people with schemes which were commenced or planned before the introduction of FiTs but not commissioned.

10 October 2010
Letter to Ministers requesting No Feed-in Tariff change

See here this letter was sent by several suppliers as a result of concerns that the tariffs may be changed prior to the 2013 review.

6 October 2010
Submission to teams preparing DECC's Microgeneration Strategy Consultation
I have sent this submission to the consultants who are preparing material for the consultation announced by DECC in July 2010

6 October 2010
Letter to Greg Barker Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change

A letter has been sent to the Minister and to the DECC official responsible for the Feed-in Tariff from 3 associations, including the Micro Hydro Association, and 4 installer companies requesting that micro hydro be withdrawn from the MCS process pro tem and that the micro hydro product standard currently still being drafted be dispensed with.

Here is an immediate response from one of our members:
"I imagine the language in the letter is a bit technical for a Minister to understand, and indeed it seems others, as it is followed by notes of explanation.  I would urge simple plain english to reach politicians and any detail attached, not vice versa. My version to the Minister, local MP, might be a summary on following lines  - ‘Micro hydro generates domestic electricity from small streams by individuals who want to become more energy self sufficient. All they need is an electrical certificate confirming that the meter measuring electricity generation is working correctly. The use of the water is already licensed by Environment agencies. The recent regulatory arrangements which include micro hydro schemes producing very small amounts of electricity are completely unnecessary, and making it impossible for people to undertake them.' "

28 September 2010 Permitted Development Rights for Microgeneration Equipment on Non-Domestic Properties - Consultation (Scotland only)

I have submitted a response to this consultation which seeks to continue with the present planning rules.  These requiring micro-hydro schemes to be subject to Local Authority planning consent (except for turbine houses below a certain height).  This requirement duplicates other regulation.

21 September 2010 Hydro installer and product accreditation/certification and Feed-in Tariff eligibility – status

I have received many enquiries on this.  Below is the current status as I understand it.

Over six months following the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff, no micro hydro schemes have yet to my knowledge been made eligible for the feed-in tariff.

Ofgem refer all enquiries on this from installers, product suppliers and generators to DECC.  DECC point to transitional arrangements under which installers and product suppliers can register to obtain provisional certification.  Our understanding is that a scheme, once accorded eligibility for FITs under the transitional arrangements, will retain this eligibility irrespective of whether the installer/product supplier does or does not become fully MCS certificated at a later date.  However, the consultancy Gemserv, who have been appointed by DECC to administer the MCS certification process, have so far registered just 3 products and 3 installers, and are reported to be unable to give any dates or timescales to installers or product suppliers for when they may become registered or fully certificated.

Several micro hydro schemes implemented before July 2009 under the Renewable Obligations Order,  and others more recently, are operational but the proprietors and their electricity suppliers do not know whether or when the schemes will be accorded FiT eligibility.  Unless an electricity supplier makes a separate commercial agreement with a customer to pay for electricity exported to the grid, there is currently no income available from generation of hydro-electricity.

This delay is principally down to the lack of progress in resolving concerns raised by industry players in the MCS process as applied to micro hydro.  An installer standard has recently been published (against the advice of several members of the MCS hydro working group) – it is still being modified and updated at this address.  A product standard is still under development.  However, as yet no certification bodies have indicated that they are ready to certify either installers or products.  As previously noted, an alternative “MCS equivalent”  scheme for certification bodies to assess FiT eligibility through design and site inspections is under consideration by DECC.  An intention has been expressed by DECC to sort these issues out by the end of December 2010.

10 September 2010 Possible BAD NEWS for micro hydro

An MCS "standard" for installers has now been published following approval by the MCS Management Panel against the advice of several members of the MCS hydro working group experienced with micro-hydro.

The yourfreedom consultation referred to in a previous item (4 August below) is closing today.  Please follow this link and add any further comment or rating by the end of today (to rate or add a comment you must first register on the yourfreedom website - this is simple).  I have added a comment about the alternative approach to MCS accreditation for micro hydro currently under consideration by DECC which would involve scheme design, and possibly site, inspection rather than product and installer accreditation.

8 September 2010 Possible GOOD NEWS for Scottish rural grant seekers

DECC have published further guidance concerning eligibility for the Feed-in Tariff for holders or seekers of government grants, for example under the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

Tour of hydro schemes
South Somerset Hydropower Group and Mendip Power Group invite you to attend A Tour of Eight Hydropower Installations

on Saturday 23rd October, 2010 and Sunday 24th October,2010

More details here.

21 August 2010 CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM . . . .

I have today received confirmation from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) that "We are currently looking into the legal and policy situation concerning alternatives to the MCS".  I hope to be able to provide more detail soon.

4 August 2010 MORE ON CONSULTATIONS

On 30th July the Coalition Government published its response to the web-based consultation which closed 10th June.  This is a link to the response page concerning energy and climate change.  There were many representations concerning the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and the MCS accreditation scheme but disappointingly there is no mention of this.

However, a continuing consultation by the Coalition has now begun known as “Your Freedom” and a specific thread has started on the FiT/MCS issue. Please add your comments to this thread.  As you will see from mine (theleme 3rd August), the discussions that have taken place with the MCS working group are in some disarray.  I shall shortly be posting proposals for alternative approaches on the yourfreedom site and on the Micro Hydro Association site.


25/26 June 2010 MCS accreditation: MCS/Gemserv publish "final" Hydro Transitional Arrangements for Installers and Products (now corrected)

The cut-off dates for applying for both installer and product accreditation have been extended - see MCS website.

11 June 2010 COALITION GOVERNMENT ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE CONSULTATION

I have posted a response to the consultation on behalf of the mha as have several members independently.  The full text of my response is here.  The consultation closed on 10th June.

9 June 2010 ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CONSULTATION

The consultation period has been extended to 2nd July 2010.  Many reponses to date are supportive of the proposed arrangements for micro hydro schemes or suggest more stringent measures including banning micro hydro development altogether.  Is this sensible?  If you think not, then here is where to respond: Hydropower Permitting Review.

5 May 2010 Response from Lord Hunt/David Kidney to mha letter of concern

I wrote to Lord Hunt and others to request consideration of the problems that the micro-hydro community perceive with the MCS accreditation scheme and eligibility for the Feed-in Tariff.  This is the response.

26 April 2010 Help for SMEs wanting to go green Environment Minister, Jane Davidson has announced plans for practical and financial support that will help small and medium enterprises in Wales to reap the benefits of renewable energy.See Welsh Assembly website

23 April 2010 MCS accreditation of hydro schemes

The working group on hydro scheme standards, after some 6 months discussion, has decided to ask some of its members (some of whom are also members of the mha) to produce a total redraft.  The aim is to  devise something more appropriate to small schemes (under 50kW capacity).  Once there is a viable draft standard for accreditation we will publish it on this website.

23 April 2010 Response to SEPA consultation on run of river hydro guidance

Here are the consultation paper and the final response I have submitted on behalf of the mha.

29 March 2010 Letter to Lord Hunt and others concerning Feed-in Tariff and MCS accreditation scheme due to be introduced from 1 April.

20 March 2010 Response to SEPA consultation on run of river hydro guidance

Here are the consultation paper and the draft response I would like to submit on behalf of the mha.  Please contact me with your views mha administrator.

19 March 2010 ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CONSULTATION

The Engish/Welsh EA has also now published a consultation on hydro schemes.  If you are reckoning to respond to this, please let me know mha administrator.

12 March 2010 LEGISLATION FOR THE FEED-IN TARIFF

The "statutory instrument" (S.I.) and accompanying notes which will bring in the feed-in tariff have just been published.  They contain the clear statement that hydro installations under 50kW capacity must be accredited under the MCS scheme (both for products and for installers).  This will be a problem for potential generators as there are no accredited hydro products or installers yet and very few with the resources or skills to implement schemes. 

We lobbied for the MCS accreditation requirement to be removed at least for a period, but this has proved ineffective or too late so far.  There is now an office of renewable energy deployment (ORED) in DECC which will oversee the introduction and operation of the scheme and they state that they will be asking Ofgem to exercise discretion in the determination of eligibility for hydro schemes.

One further item of interest in the S.I. is that hydro schemes where an export meter has not been installed will by default for this year receive an export tariff payment for 75% of their generated power.  That proportion will be reviewed annually.

12 March 2010 SEPA LICENCE APPLICATION PROCESS: CONSULTATION
SEPA (the Scottish version of the Environment Agency) have been attempting to simplify procedures for micro hydro schemes.  They have issued a consultation paper to which I shall be responding and I will put my response on the website shortly.  Please also send your responses to SEPA - see http://www.sepa.org.uk/about_us/consultations.aspx

NO FEE INCREASE (OR REDUCTION)
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced that there will be no increase in abstraction and impoundment fees for 2010-2011 (usually £588 for 1st scheme and £412 for additional schemes).  This is some comfort but disappointing as some months ago SEPA waived fees altogether for a period.

20/2/2010 YOUR HYDRO SCHEME MAY BE INELIGIBLE FOR THE FEED-IN TARIFF
Please read letter and statement of concerns being sent to MPs and civil servants tonight, let us have your comments and lend your support by joining the association.

If you haven't already done so, please consider signing this petition to No 10  - deadline 3rd June 2010. and this petition  - deadline 2 August.