| The Boyd Proposal for microgeneration grid tie in Alberta | BOYD SOLAR |
Written by Sean Lougheed and Erhard Hermann of Boyd Solar Corp.
Micro-generation can generally be defined as any power generation under one Mega-Watt (MW) but most micro-generation coming online now is under 30KW and almost entirely “green” power (using renewable resources, not fossil fuels) and has no, or low impact. The benefits of this type of power to the populace and the utility grid are many-fold.
The processes for integrating new power production should correspond to its impact, complexities and benefits. The lower the impact and complications, the higher the benefit, the simpler the process should be.
This micro-generation that is clean, reliable, and easily integrated into the grid is much newer than the regulation being used to govern it. Presently, all micro-generation interconnection (grid-tie) is covered by legislation made for macro-generation, however, the legislation was never designed for these micro installations or the technology that is now used in them. Micro-generation is forced into the “macro” application structure by default, because there is no other basis for governing this new type of power. The old legislation is necessarily complex for dealing with huge multi-Mega-Watt public or private, for-profit utilities that have high impact on the areas they are built in. Environment, sound levels, emissions, concerns for aviation and transportation, etc., are rightly factored in. However, this same legislation applied to micro-generation is an improper and an unnecessary stumbling block for increasing numbers of small non-profit producers of green power.
The present application process for these micro installations is costly and cumbersome, not only to the applicant, but also to parties and agencies that are not truly affected by micro-generation, and for the most part would welcome the relief of not being involved in the small applications that waste their time and resources. (For example: Transport Canada, which does not have to approve solar panels on a house that is independent of the power grid, has to approve installation of solar panels on a house that can feed power to the grid.)
It is our belief that revision or amendment of the present legislation is unnecessary, and that it in fact does what it was designed to do effectively for macro-generation. Complicating it by adding this new class of micro/green power to it may in fact do both types of application processes harm. Building separate, simple new legislation that governs the new class of power generation would be quicker, easier, more effective and less costly.
Items to be included in the frame work of the legislation:
Based on what has worked in other jurisdictions:
A standard of single meter base that is net meter able (see appendix “A”) should be made a provincial standard to save the utilities money and time as micro-generation grows. Easily accomplished at this early stage of micro-generation, standardization to a single 2-way smart meter will be advantageous to utilities should there be changes in territory or amalgamations, with lower initial costs as well. Integrating over-the-wire meter reading would also benefit the utilities. A per KW billing charge made standard to encourage grid-tie micro-generation (see “Energy Saving Incentives” below).
A simple one page form for documentation and inspection purposes for solar and fuel cells (example below) with addendums for wind and micro hydro’s extra issues.
To recognize that a person has a right to produce power and feed excess into the grid as long as it is inspected to be correct by code and safe. (Can not be denied putting power into the grid.)
Supersede local guidelines and over-rule present legislation that now relates by default to this class of power production including AEUB, AESO, Department of Energy, and power producers.
A time limit for meter changes and grid interconnection, and a fine structure accrued by the day after a reasonable time, 2 weeks is sufficient as in other areas.
If applicable, the green power producer is awarded emission credits that could be sold back to Alberta industry.
New micro-generation Traditional power generation
Green, no emissions Brown, emissions issues and costs
No profit motive, more expensive than utility power Profit driven
No or very low impact on environment Always some, often considerable impact on environment
Good public perception Critical public perception (needs more public input and involvement)
Restructuring Alberta’s power billing would be an incentive to reducing electricity usage over-all, and encouraging micro-generation. Smart metering should be used to reflect the cost of generation at certain times of day, and pricing must be by KWh alone. (Other jurisdictions have discovered this as well.) All the regular charges can be assimilated into a per KWh charge. This would make a person’s power bill accurately reflect their usage, whereas now (Alberta’s) fixed charges create a situation where the more power you use the cheaper it gets. Producers of small amounts of green power are punished for wanting to share power (produced at 3 to 5 times the cost). True net metering is the method to bring green power and public opinion online. We recognize the need to compensate the wire owners in this situation and recommend that their costs be split into the Alberta billing pool, or subsidized by the government on green power depending on the government’s interest in the matter.
An illustration: if gasoline were sold the same way Alberta electricity is (which would probably be illegal) this is what it would look like. There would be a fixed charge of $40 to start the pump, and a hypothetical advertised price of $0.20 a litre. What would be the benefit to driving an efficient vehicle? The answer is obvious. Not much. In this scenario, over the same distance a Prius hybrid would cost $48 to fill, a Lincoln Navigator $61.60. The present pay-for-use system directly reflects the cost of driving an inefficient vehicle (at $1.00/litre, the Prius costs $40.00, Navigator $108.00). Our electrical billing should too.
Differing types of small generation and varying impact,
Solar is so passive, non-intrusive and environmentally beneficial, that we believe it should have the easiest application (for grid-tie) process, covering only the most basic information. Each of the other types could merely have an addendum to the basic solar form for specific concerns (ie: noise or flicker issues for wind).
No impact:
No sound, no emissions, no integration issues, safe, no recycling issues. Electrical code already covers integration issues.
Do we even need development permits for solar? Or other legislation for approval? No, not if a higher legislation outlines the limits to solar installation. For example: any solar installation within the dimensions of a present roof, and no higher than say 1 foot above the peak would need no approval. This is rational since nobody’s view is changed and the footprint of the building is staying the same, within the legal limits set out under local regulation. Since solar does not add considerable weight, present building structure is also satisfactory. All other concerns are presently covered by code.
What would it be like if each of these structures needed to go through the same process?
Each pole has more visual, environmental and aesthetic impact than our customers solar installation on the right
Low to medium impact
No emissions, no integration issues, safe when properly installed.
Noise issues, shadow and flicker issues, only the parts made of glass reinforced plastic not recyclable at this time.
Variable impact
Rare in Alberta but found in the micro-generation mix. Individual assessment on waterways and fish habitat needed. Issues include damming. Low noise, no emissions, components recyclable excepting concrete work (not present on all installations).
Expected in the consumer market by 2010 or 2011, no noise issues, virtually no emissions, safe, some recycling issues depending on the particular family of cell. Cells only need to be approved; electrical code already covers integration issues.
Sean Lougheed
Erhard Hermann
Box 1942 Didsbury Alberta T0M 0W0
403-335-3330