Microgeneration Technologies

Microgeneration refers to small scale systems that generate electricity and/or heat for domestic dwellings. Some systems have been commercially available for some time, for example solar thermal collectors that provide hot water and photovoltaic panels that generate electricity. A change in energy policy and recent developments in technology have prompted the emergence of micro-scale wind turbines and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Micro generation is seen as a bold step towards decentralising power generation, reducing fuel poverty and increasing the percentage of power generated from renewable or low carbon sources. Research within the group encompass, solar thermal, combined heat and power, photovoltaics (PV) and micro wind.

News item: e4D update – SERG researchers return to Uganda and Kenya
21st December, 2017

SERG researchers Maj and Nicolas have just finished the last for 2017 SERG visit to Africa. The last two weeks they visited old Energy for Development (e4D) projects in Kenya and Uganda. As demand has grown in recent days, they discussed the opportunity for new projects and extension of the existing ones with REA (Rural […]

Research update: Assessment of Urban Microgeneration Solutions

The group’s research is looking at existing housing developments from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s to determine the scope and potential impact of microgeneration technologies and energy efficiency measures on the residential scale. Microgeneration options assessed include: Photovoltaics Micro wind power Solar thermal systems for domestic hot water CHP (combined heat and power) at […]

UK Micro Wind Trial

The UK has the best wind resource in Europe and this is now starting to be harnessed through both on-shore and off-shore multi-MW scale wind farms. Micro wind power technology, which is essentially the installation of small scale, 1-10 kW wind turbines on buildings or pole mounted as shown in Figure 1, is a rapidly […]

The story of the 'Smiths' in their 1930's semi

Residential housing accounts for more than a quarter of the UKā€™s primary energy consumption. This is primarily in the form of space heating (typical 3 bedroom UK house 20,000 kWh per annum) with electrical demands being much lower at around 4,000 kWh per annum. The gradual tightening of building regulations means that modern housing consumes […]

Research update: Photovoltaics in Residential Applications

Residential grid connected PV systems are relatively simple to design with easy to predict annual yields. However, the headline economics of residential PV in the UK are at present unattractive. A typical small residential PV system (1 to 3 kWp) as shown in the top figure would cost in the year 2000 around Ā£4,500 per […]

Micro Wind Modelling Tool

Within the framework of a research project funded by theĀ Economic & Social Research CouncilĀ (ESRC) a micro wind modelling tool has been developed by SERG prompted by the imminent arrival of the technology. The tool allows the user to define a particular micro wind turbine and simulate its performance at various locations in the UK. Various […]

Research update: PV Roof Tile Development – POWERTILE

Capital cost is the major issue and this impacts most directly on the size of a PV roof tile. For the ā€˜best integrationā€™ a PV roof tile should be indentical in size and weight to a normal concrete tile. For example, a Marley Modern tile would provide an exposed area of 292 x 345 mm […]