Writing about sustainable energy, resources and design, Jamais Cascio, provides an excellent thumbnail of the potential for micro-generation. I also agreed with wimbi, a commenter, about the importance of examining hybrid micro generation.
BTW: The eHouse is an excellent example of such combinations.
In World Changing, Cascio writes:
The use of small-scale power generation sources, like photovoltaics and wind micro-turbines, has tremendous potential as a way of improving energy network reliability and increasing the use of clean, renewable power. Much of the discussion of the components necessary for both energy generation and a distributed network focuses on the plausibility and utility of the technology itself.
The World Changing post references Potential for Microgeneration: Study and Analysis (PDF), a study by the Energy Savings Trust, under the auspices of the Department of Trade and Industry, of the cost-competitiveness for various micro CHP technologies for a mix of scenarios in the United Kingdom. Very similar to my recent list of co-generation options, the report covers the following small-scale methods:
- Photovoltaics
- Wind turbines
- Micro-hydro
- “Active solar water heating”
- Ground source heat pumps
- Bio-energy
- Combined heat-power (CHP) systems
- Fuel cells
Note: Ground source heat pump is a better descriptor than geothermal to indicate the larger than generally appreciated suitability of this particular technology.
Cascio took the UK report authors to task for overlooking “the impact of “zero-energy development” schemes on overall energy demand, and how distributed micro-generation would fit with broader use of ZED designs.” Which, in turn, suggests an approach of involving key players early in the design process, to include those with the ability to take a broad view of the issues while quite practical as to “the biggest bang for the buck” technologies relevant to a wide range of clients.
Who knows, there even may come a time when there would be enough retired “green” architects, energy managers, lighting professionals, builders, and power engineers that the Department of Energy would support a consultant program, similar to retired small business people that advises a new generation of entrepreneurs.
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[...] A more recent post about the potential for micro-generation displays three co-generation approaches: [...]
[...] This is a generalization that can be proved wrong with specific examples, e.g., heat pumps, and there well could be other ways to gain efficiencies for less investment. Furthermore, while there is good evidence of sufficient effectiveness in agriculture, industry, and congregate housing, there seems to be a lack of studies as to whether co-generation is economical at the scale of home combined heat and power. [...]