The Sussex Energy Group have published a report which looks at the how microgeneration might be deployed and explores policies to support investment by consumers and energy suppliers. The report states that policy makers must support diverse routes to microgeneration deployment and that incentives are needed for customers and energy suppliers.

The report follows a two year research project which was carried out by Sussex Energy Group in collaboration with the University of Southampton and Imperial College, with funding from the ESRC sustainable Technologies Programme. It includes analysis of three microgeneration technologies - solar PV, micro-wind and micro-CHP, an economic analysis, and an analysis of the barriers to take up by consumers.

The report argues a shift to an energy services market is needed and that the next phase of EEC is the ideal opportunity to assess the feasibility of this. It also recommends that instead of a further phase to 2011 the government and Ofgem should consider early implementation of demand reduction obligation on energy suppliers, to allow them to offer a wide range of services to customers, including microgeneration.

The report also highlights the benefits of smart meters in changing behaviour in energy consumption and an essential element in a reoriented energy market based on services rather than supply. It suggests that they could be introduced on a mandatory basis with microgeneration technologies.

To view the report click here.