Socio-technical implications of domestic microgeneration technologies in the UK electricity system

Abstract

New technologies will play a crucial role in the transition to a sustainable energy system and a low or zero carbon economy more widely. Microgeneration technologies are one potential contributor to a sustainable energy system. From a Large Technical System (LTS) perspective, this paper explores the systemic challenges to increase the share of decentralised domestic microgeneration technologies in a system that has technically, institutionally and economically been characterised by a centralised approach to power provision. It argues that critical issues are linked to the institutional framework that inhibits the deployment of available technologies while technical issues are of lower importance at this stage. In the UK context, this paper analyses the extent to which existing policies and regulations address these issues, and more fundamental regulatory changes are outlined.