Suppliers response to the Feed In Tariff

Mcfi5dhc

Hi all

I have posted this under the Gas and Electricity forum as I'm guessing that the representatives from Eon, npower etc view here more than the Green and Ethical forum.

Basically, I am interested in hearing how you will implement the FIT - most is mandatory, but their is some potential flexibility in two parts (maybe more)

Firstly, will the companies pay only the minimum amount requested in the FIT proposal? Or will there be competition still in the market?

Secondly (and most important to me!), will the companies pay the full higher levels to customers who bought renewables before the cut off date (July 09 ish?). Us mugs under the new system will get 9p a unit, whereas newbies will get 40p ish - which is a big difference.

Many thanks

spiro

The other question to ask is who is going to pay for the new meter you will need?

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi Mcfi5dhc :hello:

This is not my area of expertise .

But we do have a department who deal with this, I am going to get in contact with them for you and will come back with some info as soon as I can.

Helena

Mcfi5dhc

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena wrote: »

Hi Mcfi5dhc :hello:

This is not my area of expertise .

But we do have a department who deal with this, I am going to get in contact with them for you and will come back with some info as soon as I can.

Helena

Thank you, very kind of you.

Mcfi5dhc

spiro wrote: »

The other question to ask is who is going to pay for the new meter you will need?

I recently had a new export meter fitted for free from Southern Electric, so in my case, indirectly, it was the very nice customers of SE who all paid about 0.0001p each towards it.

I don't know if I need yet another new one for the Feed in tariffs, but I would have thought that that one did the job ok.

Some other companies charge for the export meters - I have heard quotes of £70 to £100 for this, which is paid by the home owner.

Thanks

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi Mcfi5dhc,

So sorry it has taken me this long to get back to you .

I have been advised that E.ON are still considering the policy regarding the Feed In Tariffs and are unable to give specific details as yet.

Once things have been finalised, the details will be available and the best people to contact would be the Solarnet department at E.ON.

Sorry I can't give any more information.

Helena

Mcfi5dhc

Helena

Thats ok that you can't get too much at the moment - can you post contact details for the Solarnet department though please so I can give them a call in the future?

Are any of the other company representaives viewing at the moment (not from E.on) able to comment as well please?

Many thanks

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi Mcfi5dhc,

You can just contact E.ON and they will transfer you to Solarnet, or email me, my address in on the left under my name

Helena

Scottish_Power

Hi Mcfi5dhc

You can direct any ScottishPower Feed In Tariff queries to our micro generation mailbox:

[EMAIL="microgen@scottishpower.com"]microgen@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL]

They will be able to take all relevant details from you and answer the queries you have. They will also be able to keep you up to speed with any developments.

I hope this information helps.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

Scottish_Power

Hi

I also found a press release article which was published on 25th January 2010 which may give an insight into FIT plans:

ScottishPower is set to embark on a pioneering project with the ambition of completely revolutionising the electricity network in Glasgow by developing the UK’s largest ‘Smart Grid’.
The company plans to devise and install technology that will significantly improve the reliability and quality of electricity supplies as well as increasing energy efficiency and reducing bills. A smart grid will also allow households who generate their own electricity the ability to easily sell excess power back to the grid and help facilitate a network capable of supporting widespread use of electric vehicles. Ultimately, the new technology will have a major impact in the reduction of carbon emissions.
As part of the Clyde Gateway project, a regeneration scheme in the east end of Glasgow, ScottishPower is already developing a localised Smart Grid proposal where ‘next generation’ technology is being developed and trials are already being carried out.
The company has set-up a dedicated team of engineers to work on the concept, using its own investment as well as seeking funds from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the energy regulator Ofgem. An application for funding from DECC under The Low Carbon Investment Fund (£6m) has been made by ScottishPower. The ambition is to demonstrate the latest smart grid technology and use the learning to develop proposals for wider and larger scale smart grid applications across Glasgow and our UK operations.
Frank Mitchell, Director of ScottishPower Energy Networks, explained: “Historically, the flow of electricity has been a one-way process, from large power stations to the plug. Now, with increasing renewable electricity production and the opportunity for individual households to generate their own power which can be fed back into the grid, the existing network is fast becoming outdated. A smart grid requires the application of new intelligent technology to the existing electricity network so that its operation can be optimised for the twenty first century.”
Frank Mitchell continued: “In order to move our homes and workplaces towards being carbon neutral, we need to use technology to manage and control the appliances we use more efficiently. This will also increase energy efficiency and reduce bills. Smart grids will be able to automatically start selected appliances, such as washing machines, or even factory equipment when the cost of electricity is at its lowest in off-peak hours. During the periods of highest usage it could do the opposite, turning off unnecessary appliances to reduce demand and save energy.
“The reality of this technology and the benefits it will offer to customers is not far away. The work we are doing on the Clyde Gateway project and across Glasgow will see the development of Smart Grids taking significant strides forward.”
Intelligent monitoring devices will keep track of all electricity flowing in the system so that it operates in the most efficient manner. A smart grid will balance the power produced by micro-generation with larger scale generation such as wind power as well as traditional power stations. It will also be designed to allow the grid to reconfigure itself in the event of a fault or excess demand so that interruptions to supplies are minimised.
ScottishPower recently announced that it plans to increase its trials of smart meters, which will be an essential part of the smart grid concept. They will be installing up to 100,000 new meters in properties over the next two years before the full UK roll-out begins. Ultimately the UK is aiming to develop full smart grid capabilities over the next two decades, but the project in Glasgow gives ScottishPower the opportunity to develop the largest in the UK to begin with.
The company is planning to work with a range of academics and public bodies in order to deliver the project in Glasgow.

Again, any queries regarding this please direct this to our micro generation mailbox provided above.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

macman

Mcfi5dhc wrote: »

Hi all

I have posted this under the Gas and Electricity forum as I'm guessing that the representatives from Eon, npower etc view here more than the Green and Ethical forum.

Basically, I am interested in hearing how you will implement the FIT - most is mandatory, but their is some potential flexibility in two parts (maybe more)

Firstly, will the companies pay only the minimum amount requested in the FIT proposal? Or will there be competition still in the market?

Secondly (and most important to me!), will the companies pay the full higher levels to customers who bought renewables before the cut off date (July 09 ish?). Us mugs under the new system will get 9p a unit, whereas newbies will get 40p ish - which is a big difference.

Many thanks

Mcfi, I feel your pain, I am also in the position of only getting 9p per kwh in future rather than 40p. I am currently with Ecotricity and getting 12p at present. Can I ask who you are with?
Those of use who put faith in renewables by being early adopters have been totally shafted by the FIT system.
spiro: not all suppliers insist on an export meter, mine just pays out based on the theoretical output of the PV system, rather than actual export.