Metering for embedded generation

1
Metering for embedded generation

• Nigel Butcher
• Director Electricity Metering UK
• Actaris

2
Embedded generation

• Photo-voltaic and micro CHP manufacturers are
  heavily government supported
• They are ignoring traditional metering
• Development of on-board metering, not using
  traditional metering for gross generation
  measurement
• Potential for half hourly metering for all
  generation sites in the future

3
Challenges for Metering

• Export how is it measured
• Rewarding small export quantities
• Lack of awareness in industry
• Generation metering how and why
• Revenue Protection
• Enhancing embedded generation

4
Export

• Embedded generation will export
• Existing meters may not record exports accurately
• Revenue protection features may be tripped and
  cause problems with settlement
• DNOs are concerned over the lack of data needed
  for system control

5
Reward for Exports

• Small amounts of power (30/y) little to spend
  on metering and billing
• Good progress
• P81 allows non ½ hourly metering
• COP9 meters available at lt 20
• Profiles being collected

6
Lack of Awareness

• Suppliers report little understanding of export
  metering in MOPs
• Alternative arrangements are being used that
  by-pass fiscal metering
• Not building experience or real markets

7
Generation Metering

• Most generation is not exported
• A potentially large electricity source not being
  measured
• No recognition of environmental value of
  generation
• Revision to ROCs will need generation metering
• If there are several hundred thousand embedded
  sites the generation could be in excess of that
  from standard power plants. can this generation
  be ignored??

8
Generation Metering

• Challenges
• Cost of extra meter and installation
• Location of meter
• Options
• Extra generation meter
• Import/export/generation meter
• Built in generation metering

9
Revenue Protection

• Meters have lost a key tampering detection
  measure reverse flows are valid
• Generation metering is especially vulnerable to
  fraud
• Require innovative detection methods
• Comparison with built in profiles?

10
Opportunities

• Innovation in Metering could assist Embedded
  generation
• AMR could resolve issues around meter location
  and identification
• ½ hour metering could provide better data on
  generation and provide accurate rewards
• Communication with meters could enable price
  responsive demand side management
• THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THIS TYPE OF METERING ARE
  INSIGNIFICANT COMPARED TO THE COSTS OF THE
  GENERATION EQUIPMENT