Simplifying Distributed Generation

2 Simplifying distributed generation

What is Distributed Generation?Distributed Generation refers to small and large scale generation that is embedded in distribution networks, from a single premises PV solar installation to large wind or solar farms.

The term Distributed Generation refers to the installation of generation plant, embedded and dispersed across a Distribution Network Operator’s (DNO) network. Distributed generation ranges from small-scale generators for single domestic premises (such as solar panels) to large-scale generation schemes such as wind farms. Environmental issues, technological innovation and new Government policy are the three main drivers behind the introduction and increasing levels of Distributed Generation.

The increase in Distributed Generation is changing the way we design and manage distribution networks. Until recently, the design and operation of most electricity distribution networks in the UK has been based on the key assumption that power flows from higher voltage systems to lower voltage systems and to the customer. The introduction of Distributed Generation has given more people the opportunity to reduce their electricity consumption by generating their own electricity and potentially exporting surplus energy onto the local distribution network to which it is connected.

Northern Powergrid is the DNO for the North East of England and Yorkshire. This booklet provides clear information about the types of generation, the Government’s rules supporting the operation of generators, how to obtain estimates of connection costs and the processes you need to follow to get a generator connected.

“ Our job is to help customers get connected to the electricity distribution network. This booklet is a guide to helping our Distributed Generation customers understand that process.” Mike Hammond – Head of Connections Services

3 Simplifying distributed generation

Connecting your generator to the electricity networkOur aim is to make it as simple as possible to connect a generator to our distribution network.

Whether or not you are planning to export any of the electricity you generate, your generator will need to be connected to the electricity network, either through your existing electricity supply or via a new dedicated connection.

As your generator can affect our ability to maintain a safe and reliable electricity supply to customers, we have established a simple set of rules to help you get connected.

If you need help understanding these rules, email your questions to: askourexpert@northernpowergrid.com

Size of your generating unit within any single premisesIs your generation unit less than 16 Amps per phase

OR 3.68KW for Single Phase OR 11.04KW for 3 phase?

Number of premisesIn how many premises are you planning to install generating units?

YES

Voltage level of connectionIs your generating unit connected at 230 V for a single phase

OR connected at 400 V for a 3-phase system?

Number of generating unitsAre you planning to install more than one unit in a single premises?

Small scale generationG83 Stage 1

Small scale generation for

multiple premisesG83 Stage 2

Large scale generation

G59

NO

YES

NO

1 MORE THAN

1

NO

YES

If the rating of your installation is less than 3.68 kilowatts, and only at a single premises, your installer should complete an Installation Commissioning Confirmation Form, notifying us so that we know you are using generation equipment. They can do this after you have connected your equipment but they are legally obliged to notify us of the equipment you are connecting. You can notify us through our website.

Notify us at: www.northernpowergrid.com/page/services/g83single.cfm

If you are connecting small-scale generation to more than one premises, you will need to notify us in advance of connecting your equipment. This applies even if all units are no more than 16 amps per phase.

We may have to carry out work on our network before you make your connection, to enable your generation to work properly. Notify us through our website by making a new connections application.

Apply online: www.northernpowergrid.com/connections

4 Simplifying distributed generation

Large scale generation at HV and LVLarge scale generation is the term given to any installation rated greater than 16Amps.You will need to make an application to us before connecting your equipment.

For any electricity generation projects connected at High Voltage (HV), 11kV/20kV, or Low Voltage (LV), 400V/230V that produce more than 3.68 kilowatts of electricity (16 amps per phase), we will need to agree with you technically how to best connect your generator to the network. We may need to make modifications to our network to accommodate your connection. Substantial work could be required to get you connected and the costs can be considerable – so always consult us before purchasing generation equipment. You can complete our online application process and our connections team will work with you to provide a quotation for the necessary work.

Apply online: www.northernpowergrid.com/connections

Small scale generationSmall scale generation refers to installations rated at less than 3.68 kilowatts. Installers should complete an Installation Commissioning Confirmation Form on your behalf.

Large-scale generation at EHVExtra High Voltage (EHV), 33kV/66kV or 132kV connections are bespoke and designed individually. In preparing your quotation for your connection, we will send you a design that will include a functional specification, describing the proposed connection, and differentiating between the contestable and non-contestable elements.

If you are considering a major project and are mobilising your planning team, then we would be more than happy to get involved to help you understand your connection options as early as possible. We would welcome you contacting us by giving us your details and one of our team will contact you to arrange a meeting.

Email us at: majorworksform@northernpowergrid.com

Getting your work completedYou have a choice when it comes to your new connection.

An accredited Independent Connections Provider (ICP) may, at your discretion, carry out contestable work but non-contestable work must be carried out by Northern Powergrid. For the contestable elements, the specification will show how we would undertake the connection if you want us to carry out the work. If you chose to use a third party to undertake the connection, they do not have to use our proposed design; however, the overall scheme will have to meet our design standards and we will need to approve this design before you start work.

For further information on contestability: www.northernpowergrid.com/page/competition _in_connections.cfm

5 Simplifying distributed generation

Indicative maps of network capability to accept large generatorsWe have developed ‘at a glance’ capacity maps which will help developers understand where they might be able to connect to the network.

The electrical network has a limited ability to accept fault level headroom, thermal capacity and voltage change these are determined by the rating of the equipment. Connecting large scale generators to the network increases these so there are potential constraints on the ability of our network to connect generation.

We have created capacity maps based on fault level headroom, which show our capability to connect large-scale generators to our existing network, or via dedicated circuits to major substations, operating at 33kV. If you are thinking of connecting a generator these maps will give you an indication of how easy it might be to get connected. There may be circumstances where we cannot connect you at your preferred point; however we will discuss all of the technical options or possible points of connection with you during the quotation process.

View these maps at: www.northernpowergrid.com/page/generation_over_16amps.cfm

6 Simplifying distributed generation

SHEFFIELDSHEFFIELDSHEFFIELDSHEFFIELDSHEFFIELDSHEFFIELDSHEFFIELDSHEFFIELDSHEFFIELD

BARNSLEYBARNSLEYBARNSLEYBARNSLEYBARNSLEYBARNSLEYBARNSLEYBARNSLEYBARNSLEY

BRIDLINGTONBRIDLINGTONBRIDLINGTONBRIDLINGTONBRIDLINGTONBRIDLINGTONBRIDLINGTONBRIDLINGTONBRIDLINGTON

DONCASTERDONCASTERDONCASTERDONCASTERDONCASTERDONCASTERDONCASTERDONCASTERDONCASTER

GAINSBOROUGHGAINSBOROUGHGAINSBOROUGHGAINSBOROUGHGAINSBOROUGHGAINSBOROUGHGAINSBOROUGHGAINSBOROUGHGAINSBOROUGH

GOOLEGOOLEGOOLEGOOLEGOOLEGOOLEGOOLEGOOLEGOOLE

GRIMSBYGRIMSBYGRIMSBYGRIMSBYGRIMSBYGRIMSBYGRIMSBYGRIMSBYGRIMSBY

HARROGATEHARROGATEHARROGATEHARROGATEHARROGATEHARROGATEHARROGATEHARROGATEHARROGATE

HUMBER BRIDGEHUMBER BRIDGEHUMBER BRIDGEHUMBER BRIDGEHUMBER BRIDGEHUMBER BRIDGEHUMBER BRIDGEHUMBER BRIDGEHUMBER BRIDGE

LEEDSLEEDSLEEDSLEEDSLEEDSLEEDSLEEDSLEEDSLEEDS

PONTEFRACTPONTEFRACTPONTEFRACTPONTEFRACTPONTEFRACTPONTEFRACTPONTEFRACTPONTEFRACTPONTEFRACT

ROTHERHAMROTHERHAMROTHERHAMROTHERHAMROTHERHAMROTHERHAMROTHERHAMROTHERHAMROTHERHAM

SCARBOROUGHSCARBOROUGHSCARBOROUGHSCARBOROUGHSCARBOROUGHSCARBOROUGHSCARBOROUGHSCARBOROUGHSCARBOROUGH

SCUNTHORPESCUNTHORPESCUNTHORPESCUNTHORPESCUNTHORPESCUNTHORPESCUNTHORPESCUNTHORPESCUNTHORPE

SELBYSELBYSELBYSELBYSELBYSELBYSELBYSELBYSELBY

WETHERBYWETHERBYWETHERBYWETHERBYWETHERBYWETHERBYWETHERBYWETHERBYWETHERBY

WHITBYWHITBYWHITBYWHITBYWHITBYWHITBYWHITBYWHITBYWHITBY

YORKYORKYORKYORKYORKYORKYORKYORKYORK

KEIGHLEYKEIGHLEYKEIGHLEYKEIGHLEYKEIGHLEYKEIGHLEYKEIGHLEYKEIGHLEYKEIGHLEY

BURNLEYBURNLEYBURNLEYBURNLEYBURNLEYBURNLEYBURNLEYBURNLEYBURNLEY

DEWSBURYDEWSBURYDEWSBURYDEWSBURYDEWSBURYDEWSBURYDEWSBURYDEWSBURYDEWSBURYHALIFAXHALIFAXHALIFAXHALIFAXHALIFAXHALIFAXHALIFAXHALIFAXHALIFAX

OLDHAMOLDHAMOLDHAMOLDHAMOLDHAMOLDHAMOLDHAMOLDHAMOLDHAM

ROCHDALEROCHDALEROCHDALEROCHDALEROCHDALEROCHDALEROCHDALEROCHDALEROCHDALE

SKIPTONSKIPTONSKIPTONSKIPTONSKIPTONSKIPTONSKIPTONSKIPTONSKIPTON

TYNEMOUTHTYNEMOUTHTYNEMOUTHTYNEMOUTHTYNEMOUTHTYNEMOUTHTYNEMOUTHTYNEMOUTHTYNEMOUTH

ALNWICKALNWICKALNWICKALNWICKALNWICKALNWICKALNWICKALNWICKALNWICK

ASHINGTONASHINGTONASHINGTONASHINGTONASHINGTONASHINGTONASHINGTONASHINGTONASHINGTON

CORBRIDGECORBRIDGECORBRIDGECORBRIDGECORBRIDGECORBRIDGECORBRIDGECORBRIDGECORBRIDGE GATESHEADGATESHEADGATESHEADGATESHEADGATESHEADGATESHEADGATESHEADGATESHEADGATESHEAD

SCOTCH CORNERSCOTCH CORNERSCOTCH CORNERSCOTCH CORNERSCOTCH CORNERSCOTCH CORNERSCOTCH CORNERSCOTCH CORNERSCOTCH CORNER

BISHOP AUCKLANDBISHOP AUCKLANDBISHOP AUCKLANDBISHOP AUCKLANDBISHOP AUCKLANDBISHOP AUCKLANDBISHOP AUCKLANDBISHOP AUCKLANDBISHOP AUCKLAND

BROUGHBROUGHBROUGHBROUGHBROUGHBROUGHBROUGHBROUGHBROUGH

CONSETTCONSETTCONSETTCONSETTCONSETTCONSETTCONSETTCONSETTCONSETT

DARLINGTONDARLINGTONDARLINGTONDARLINGTONDARLINGTONDARLINGTONDARLINGTONDARLINGTONDARLINGTON

DURHAMDURHAMDURHAMDURHAMDURHAMDURHAMDURHAMDURHAMDURHAM

KENDALKENDALKENDALKENDALKENDALKENDALKENDALKENDALKENDAL

MORECAMBEMORECAMBEMORECAMBEMORECAMBEMORECAMBEMORECAMBEMORECAMBEMORECAMBEMORECAMBE

PENRITHPENRITHPENRITHPENRITHPENRITHPENRITHPENRITHPENRITHPENRITH

RIPONRIPONRIPONRIPONRIPONRIPONRIPONRIPONRIPON

SUNDERLANDSUNDERLANDSUNDERLANDSUNDERLANDSUNDERLANDSUNDERLANDSUNDERLANDSUNDERLANDSUNDERLAND

THIRSKTHIRSKTHIRSKTHIRSKTHIRSKTHIRSKTHIRSKTHIRSKTHIRSK

Guide prices and timescalesOur guide is designed to help you understand the costs and time-scales involved with getting your generator connected.

View our guide prices and timescales at: www.northernpowergrid.com/connections

7 Simplifying distributed generation

GuARANTEEd STANdARd

AVERAGE TiME TO REcEiVE A quOTATiON

PRicES fROM Ex. VAT

AVERAGE PRicE Ex. VAT

Small scale generation for a single property

(G83 / Stage 1)

We don’t make any changes relating to this work, but we need you to notify us that you’ve installed the generating units.

Multiple small scale generation connections

(G83 /Stage 2)

35 days 35 days £1,131 £18,980

Low voltage generation connection

45 days 35 days £1,027 £6,800

High voltage generation (G59)

65 days 34 days £55,190 £290,000

Extra high voltage generation (G59)

65 days 49 days £363,000 £2,500,000

Getting connected Getting an estimate

An estimate will provide you with the likely costs you may incur when connecting your generator.

A free of charge estimate is ideal for larger projects, where you want us to provide you with the likely costs you may incur to connect your generator.

We calculate our estimates by making assumptions about the work we will need to do and base these on similar work we have carried out in the past. We will not visit the site, analyse the electricity network in the area or carry out any technical studies. We will send you an estimate within 10 or 20 working days, depending on the capacity you want to generate.

If this does not provide you with enough information, you can ask for a more detailed cost estimate free of charge. This will be a more accurate indication of the costs but may take longer for us to provide. We may visit the site if necessary, we will analyse the electricity network in the area and carry out any necessary technical studies.

To carry out a more detailed cost estimate your request will be outside our normal timescales and we will contact you to discuss this, but you are likely to have an estimate within 25 or 35 days, depending on the capacity you want to generate.

The quickest way for you to get an estimate is to apply online using the electronic application process at: www.northernpowergrid.com/connections

8 Simplifying distributed generation

To provide you with an estimate you will need to supply us with;1 Your name and address;

2 Site address;

3 A site location plan showing the site boundary and connection point;

4 Maximum capacity (kW) requirement;

5 Summary of the electricity generation;

6 Summary of any equipment which is likely to cause disturbance to the electricity supply.

Getting a quotation

A quotation is a formal offer to provide you with an electricity connection.

To provide you with a quotation you will need to supply us with;1 Your name and address;

2 Site address;

3 A scaled site location plan showing the site boundary, where the customer expects a substation to be required and the proposed connection point;

4 Single line diagram;

5 Date when the first connection is required;

6 Total maximum capacity (kW) at each metering point and heating type (if applicable) within the property;

7 Technical details of the electricity generation;

8 Technical details of any equipment which is likely to cause disturbance to the electricity supply.

The quickest way for you to submit an application is to apply online using the electronic application process at: www.northernpowergrid.com/connections

Getting connected

9 Simplifying distributed generation

This is our price to provide the connection you require. It will specify the price, conditions of the offer and the delivery timescale.

Guaranteed Standards

It is our aim to provide the best possible service to our customers.

The Connections Guaranteed Standards are standards of service set by Ofgem, the industry regulator. These guarantees apply to new or additional connections, or alterations to an existing connection. They are backed by a guarantee – you will receive a payment if they are not met.

We believe that it is important for you to know what levels of service you can expect from us and that we work to the standards described in this section.

STANdARdTYPE Of

cONNEcTiON/SERVicE

TiMEScALE dAiLY LATE PENALTY

ECDGS3a Provision of an LV generation quotation 45 working days £50

ECDGS3b Provision of an HV generation quotation 65 working days £100

ECDGS3c Provision of an EHV generation quotation 65 working days £150

Apply online: www.northernpowergrid.com/connections

What is the connections process?

10 Simplifying distributed generation

Apply for your connection

We’ll send you a quotation or estimate valid for 90 days

Return your signed acceptance and payment

We’ll contact you within a maximum of 15 days to arrange your job

We’ll send you a new Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) which you’ll need to give to your chosen supplier*

The connections work will be completed

Your supplier will then arrange your meter installation

*Not all connections will require a new Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN)

You are now connected and generating

The Government introduced a system of Feed-In Tariffs to incentivise small-scale low-carbon electricity generation under five megawatts.

The Renewable Obligation came into effect in 2002. It places an obligation on UK electricity suppliers to source an increasing proportion of the electricity they supply from renewable sources.

In 2010 the government introduced feed-in-tariffs to help increase the level of renewable energy in the UK towards our legally binding target of 15% of total energy from renewables by 2020.

Feed-In Tariffs are payments to energy users for the renewable electricity they generate.

Generation tariff: your energy supplier will pay you a set rate for each unit of electricity you generate. The tariff levels for the period of the tariff (up to 20 years) are guaranteed.

Export tariff: you can sell any electricity you generate but do not use yourself.

Energy bill savings: you will be making savings on your electricity bills because generating electricity to power your appliances means you do not have to buy as much electricity from your energy supplier. The amount you save will vary depending how much of the electricity you use on site.

Small-scale low-carbon electricity generation technologies eligible for feed-in tariffs are:

■ Wind;

■ Solar photovoltaic;

■ Anaerobic digestion;

■ Hydro, and

■ Domestic-scale micro-combined heat and power (CHP) with a capacity of two kilowatts or less.

For more information on the Feed-In Tariffs please refer to: www.gov.uk/feed-in-tariffs

11 Simplifying distributed generation

Government Incentive Schemes What is the feed-in Tariff?

What are the Renewable Obligation Certificates?

The Renewables Obligation (RO) supports renewable generation above 5MW (and some projects between 50kW and 5MW). It provides an incentive not in the form of a fixed tariff, like the FITs, but by awarding green certificates called Renewable Obligations Certificates or ‘ROCs’.

The RO will close to new generators on 31 March 2017. Electricity generation with accreditation under the RO will continue to receive its full lifetime of support (20 years) until the scheme closes in 2037

For more information on the Renewable Obligation Certificates, please refer to: www.gov.uk/government/policies

12 Simplifying distributed generation

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an internationally recognised quality assurance scheme, supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

MCS certifies microgeneration technologies used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources.

MCS is also an eligibility requirement for the Government’s financial incentives, which include the Feed-in Tariff and the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Small wind turbines and solar panels are readily available from specialist retailers throughout the UK.

For information on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme please refer to: www.microgenerationcertification.org

Latest tariffs: www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/feed-tariff-fit-scheme/tariff-tables

FAQs on FITs: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Publications2/Generating-energy/FAQ-on-UK-Government- Feed-in-Tariffs

FIT on the DECC website: www.gov.uk/government/policies/increasing-the-use-of-low-carbon-technologies/supporting-pages/ feed-in-tariffs-scheme

FIT on the OFGEM website: www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/feed-tariff-fit-scheme

New Renewables Obligation Certificates Table: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-renewables-obligation-certificates-rocs-table

Government Incentive SchemesWhat is the Microgeneration Certification Scheme?

find out more

connecting your generator to the electricity networkInformation, online application process and contact information are all available on our website:www.northernpowergrid.com/generation

E: getconnected@northernpowergrid.com

W: www.northernpowergrid.com

T: 0845 070 2703