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According to recent government reports, microgeneration
under the most optimistic scenarios, contributes 30MtCO2 reduction by 2030
which corresponds to 8.4 % of the required 60% (355 Mt CO2/year) cut from
UK 1990 annual emissions of 592 Mt CO2/year. Currently there are
95,000-98,000 microgeneration installations in the UK - by far the
majority are Solar Thermal which is used mainly for hot water but not
central heating, with sales levels of 5,000-6,000 units a year.
At the end
of 2004 there were 82,000 microgen installations – a growth rate of 22% by
the end of 2007, however, in order to achieve the carbon emission targets,
a step change in the uptake of the current technologies - probably close
to 10m installations by 2030 - will be key to the success of the
microgeneration contribution. This much higher volume usage will depend on
technology development and continued government policy, funding and grants
in addition to consumers being willing to pay more in up front capital
costs in order to reduce the ongoing costs of energy.
According
to a recent microgen strategy report there has been some progress made,
however according to the latest government strategy report, a decision
needs to be made by November 2008 as to whether targets should be set for
microgeneration. In addition there are still a number of barriers to be
tackled. including planning permission issues, certification and energy
assessments.
Housing
output needs to increase in the medium term to overcome the problems of
supply shortages and rising prices, and buyers are becoming increasingly
aware and interested in the energy performance of a prospective home,
particularly in view of the recent rapid rise in energy costs. Reducing
carbon emissions and saving energy will continue to have a significant
impact on the way in which new houses are constructed in the future
whether through new technologies such as the use of combined heat and
power to serve communities, renewable technologies such as wind turbines
and solar panels or an increase in the use of sustainable materials such
as newspaper and sheep’s wool for insulation, or less PVCu and more
sustainable timber for windows, doors and housing construction.
However,
many of the technologies are on trial to test whether they are technically
and commercially acceptable and many still appear to be some years away
before they become serious alternatives in the supply of energy and the
subsequent reduction of CO2.
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