• Distributed generation

Generating electricity from renewable and energy-efficient generation is a key part of the Government’s strategy to tackle climate change.

The Government’s environmental target, to achieve 10 gigawatts (GW) of combined heat and power (CHP) capacity by 2010 and to generate 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2015, implies substantial growth in distributed generation and investment in the network infrastructure.

Many stakeholders have expressed concern that the Government’s targets may not be met because of major difficulties relating to unit pricing, delays in obtaining planning consent and the fact that the current regulatory framework does not incentivise distribution network operators (DNOs) to connect distributed generation.

ENA members believe that the introduction of the correct commercial and regulatory framework is the single most important factor how network operators can support the Government’s target for renewable and energy efficient generation.

Information for generators seeking a connection

• Distributor Network Operator Contact Details

Connection Standards/Guidelines
Distribution Generation Connection Activity in the UK Distribution Networks

• 2003 and 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007

• Decision Tree for the Distributed Generation Connection Guide 
  There are three seperate Distributed Generation Connection Guides. This decision tree guides you to the most relevant Connection Guide for the Distributed Generation you are planning to install.  These Guides are intended to help you, as an owner or developer of Distributed Generation to connect your generating plant to one of the UK's electricity distribution networks
• A Guide for Connecting Generation that falls under ER G83/1-1 Stage 1 to the Distribution Network
• A Guide for Connecting Generation that falls under ER G83/1-1 Stage 2 to the Distribution Network
• A Guide for Connecting generation that falls under ERG59/2 to the Distribution Network
• External distributed generation links

The following documents may be purchased from ENA:

• Engineering Technical Report 126 (2004)
  Guidelines for actively managing voltage levels associated with the connection of a singe distributed generation plant.
• Engineering Technical Report 124 (2004)
  Guidelines for actively managing power flows associated with the connection of a single distributed generation plant.
• Engineering Recommendation G.59/2 (2010) Recommendations for the Connection of Generating Plant to the Distribution Systems of Licensed Distribution Network Operators.
• Engineering Recommendation G.83/1-1 (2008)
  Recommendations for the connection of small-scale embedded generators (up to 16A per phase) in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks.

Engineering Recommendation G83/1-1

On 4th August 2008, the Health & Safety Executive issued a Certificate of Exemption that effectively relaxes the timescales for notifying a DNO when comissioning Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG). The DNO must still be notified but in the case of SSEG this no longer needs to be before, or at the time of, comissioning. Notification must now be made within 28 days of comissioning.

• Engineering Recommendation G83/1-1: Relaxation of Commissioning Notification Timescales for SSEG: Certificate of Exemption  (August 2008)
• Appendix 2: Application For Connection (Word format)
• Appendix 3: SSEG Installation Commissioning Confirmation (Word format) 
• Appendix 4: Type Verification Test Sheet (Word format) 
• Appendix 5: SSEG Decommissioning Confirmation (Word format)

Engineering Recommendation G59/2

The following four appendices from G59/2 - A13.1, A13.2, A13.3, A13.4 have been made available in word format and are free to download.

• Appendix A13.1 - Generating Plant Type Verification Test Sheet. Type Approved Generating Plant (>16A per phase but < 50kW 3phase or 17kW 1 phase.
• Appendix A13.2 - Generating Plant Installation and Commissioning Tests (1)Type approved generating plant (>16A per phase but < 50 kW 3 phase or 17 kW 1 phase) 
• Appendix A13.3 - Generating Plant Installation and Commissioning Tests (2) Non type approved generating plant and generating plant >50kW 3 phase or 17kW 1 phase.
• Appendix A13.4 - Generating Plant Decommissioning Confirmation