1. European-wide field trials for residential fuel cell micro-CHP
The role of Fuel Cell micro-CHP in delivering UK's energy transition
Mike Small, BDR Thermea Group BV
Birmingham, 13 March 2017
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union´s 7th Framework Programme (FP7/ ) for the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking Technology Initiative under Grant Agreement Number

2. Delivering the energy transition
The uncertainty of energy transition
Fuel Cell microCHP in achieving UK climate objectives
The renewables challenge
Achieving volume: best practice
Conclusions & Recommendations

3. Energy transition
Our energy future is uncertain and will be characterised by diversity and complexity – including innovative and new technologies

4. Fuel Cell microCHP in achieving UK climate objectives
UK needs to get on track to meet the fourth carbon budget (2023 to 2027).
Committee on climate change: “…will require the government to apply more challenging measures.”
Advises:
energy efficiency
innovation in technology
replace high-carbon investments with low-carbon investments
Climate Change Act focuses on GHG emissions – reduction of at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050
Fuel Cell microCHP can be substantial cost-effective, component in decarbonisation of the energy system through much more efficient use of today’s energy resources
Meeting Carbon Budgets – 2016 Progress Report to Parliament

5. Fuel Cell microCHP in achieving UK climate objectives
Lower-risk / At risk
Buildings / Energy Efficiency (Building regulations, incl local planning) (EPBD)
Energy efficiency for PE saving (ErP)
Incentives - FiT
Policy gap
Recognise benefit to the wider energy system
Upgrade building stock
Signals for long-term
Fuel Cell microCHP can be deployed to fill the gaps, via stronger policies to deliver residential energy efficiency and to drive low carbon heating in new-build
Meeting Carbon Budgets – 2016 Progress Report to Parliament

6. The renewables challenge
“Switching 80% of homes to heat pumps would require an additional 105GWs of electricity generation capacity (an increase of 175% above current peak power demand) as well as significant investment to reinforce the power distribution network.”
Fuel Cell microCHP can help offset the additional generation and network capacity requirements if electric heat pump penetration is to significantly increase
Fuel Cell mCHP can be a tool to optimise an energy system with a much higher penetration of renewables coupled with new electrical demand
Too Hot to Handle? How to decarbonise domestic heating
policyexchange.org.uk

7. The renewables challenge+ =
For our transition to a complex energy system, with increasing penetration of unpredictable renewables, Fuel Cell microCHP:
is a valuable demand-side measure for managing grid stability
overcomes the challenge of increasing penetration of electric heating
is low carbon and renewable when utilising bio-gas and H2
… in an existing, extensive natural gas network
contributes towards a cleaner, healthier environment

8. Achieving volume: best practice
Fuel Cell microCHP supports energy security, emissions reduction and renewables integration
Japan: consistent support since 2009, for consumers and industry driven 200,000 installations
Germany : €500 mill over 8 years, to deliver 60,000 – 70,000 installations (KfW 433)
The dedicated support schemes demonstrate how a political will can encourage consumers to be active in delivering national energy objectives

9. Further Conclusions
Developers and manufacturers have delivered products to the market, in the face of regulatory uncertainty
Products are suitable for existing heating systems and customer behaviour
The industry players can increase UK competitiveness, with UK-based development collaboration with global partners
Whilst the outlook for UK support is uncertain, Japan and Germany are demonstrating what can be achieved to encourage investment to develop reliable, valuable technologies

10. Recommendations
Create a roadmap for the short- and long-term, integrating microCHP into carbon budget scenarios
Collaborate with studies such as ene.field and PACE to gain knowledge and to work with industry to develop policy
Learn from best practice to create a stable environment that will initiate volume and maintain a stable outlook – for example, creating a successor to the current FiT scheme, post-2019
Utilise FC mCHP to address policy gaps and deliver low-carbon heating and residential energy efficiency
Coherent, stable, predictable policy to reduce barriers to ownership
The market uptake of Fuel Cell microCHP requires a coherent, steady and predictable policy framework in recognition of the benefits for energy transition

11. Thank you