What are prosumers and how do they affect our electricity supply?

Chapter 8 in the Wiring Regulations gives details that designers and installers must consider for onsite energy generation and storage. 

 

Technology in many of our buildings will become part of the country’s energy network. Energy will flow to and from the national grid to meet varying demand. Our current one-way energy flow from the grid must change significantly. This requires new regulations and controls to manage supply and minimise risks. 

 

While solar or wind energy output depends on the weather, we could improve efficiency by installing more solar panels and wind turbines than we need. Safe storage solutions for surplus energy then become an important consideration. A more flexible grid and more energy efficient buildings are also part of the picture. Successful implementation of low carbon technologies could save the UK economy £30billion to £70billion. 

 

The Wiring Regulations cover how the country’s new smart grids and Prosumer Electrical Installations (PEIs) should work together. The smart grid must adapt to prosumer energy needs, and PEIs must provide energy through Electrical Energy Management Systems (EEMS). 

 

PEIs help energy consumers control their energy use and take advantage of variable energy pricing. That’s important while energy prices continue to increase. They include on-site generation, energy storage, heating, electric vehicle (EV) charge points, and home appliances. 

 

An EEMS makes sure the components work together, managing energy demand from local consumption and renewable sources. It can learn or be programmed to time-shift energy use to make the most of excess generation or stored energy. This might include automatically postponing things like EV charging or home heating. 

 

To work properly circuit-level and appliance-level monitoring is needed. Commercial Building Energy Management Systems and Building Automation Control Systems already do this. These established principles are now ready for use in domestic settings. However, PEI set up, considerations for overloads and short-circuits, isolation, and earthing arrangements need refinement.