The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) · The MCS Installer Scheme • Certification of...

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)

Richard PhillipsBRE Global

Benefits of Microgeneration Systems

• Provide a useful proportion of a building’s energy demand

• Help reduce CO2 emissions• Help achieve higher sustainability ratings

(e.g. for BREEAM and CSH)• Help satisfy planners’ and home owners’

expectations for sustainability • Be good value for clients’ and taxpayers’

money• Enhance the reputation of the industry

– Encourage uptake

When correctly designed, manufactured and installed micro renewable systems can:

Why MCS?

• Replacement needed for Clear Skies and PV schemes– More robust

• Protect reputation of the industry

• UKAS accreditation– Independent

• Protect consumers by providing robust criteria for:– Quality of products– Quality of installations

• Mitigate Risks

Risks• Things can go wrong!• Little knowledge amongst homeowners • Poor performance can

– Increase running costs– Cause discomfort– Reduce, or even reverse, emissions

savings• Poor design and installation can:

– Be unsafe– Reduce system performance – Damage the building envelope

• Any of the above could turn a positive vision into a negative image

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme

MCS Mark:

• MCS mark owned by Secretary of State (DECC)• Mark licensed to Gemserv (MCS administrator)• Sub licensed to Certification bodies• Certification bodies issue mark to certificated

companies

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme

Gemserv

Certification bodies

Certificated companies

MCS Steering Group

Technical Working groups etc

DECC

UKAS

Scheme documents & standards etc

Stakeholders:Industry

Trade assoc.s

Consumer groups

Grant bodies

DECC

UCAS

Etc. etc.

The MCS Installer Scheme• Certification of companies not individuals• Scope

– Design, supply, installation, set to work, commissioning and handover of microgeneration systems

• Assessments conducted in two parts:• Office Assessment

– MCS 001– Quality control– Membership of an OFT approved consumer code of

conduct (e.g. REAL)• On-site Installation Assessment

– Technology specific installation standard (MIS 300X)– Estimate of annual energy performance

• Certification is maintained through surveillance assessments (usually annually)

MCS Simply Explained

• Say what you do,…– Have written procedures

• …do what you say,…– Follow your procedures

• …prove it.– Get MCS certification

Office Assessment

• Quality manual appropriate to the business– Don’t be intimidated! A small business

probably doesn’t need a complex quality manual (but a large one might)

– Feedback suggests a good quality manual improves the business

– Needs to be a controlled document• Formal approval & sign-off = ‘ownership’• Issue number and date• ‘Singing from the same hymn sheet’

Office Assessment

• Assesses procedures for a number of activities including:– Who is responsible for each activity– Document control

• e.g. keeping up with changes in regulations and standards

– Customer contracts• Very important

– Equipment and calibration– Training and competence

• Written procedures ensure quality and consistency

• Full requirements are detailed in MCS001– Annex A, Table 1

On-site Assessment

• Technology specific installation standards

• Assessment of competence to install, not the installation itself

• Proof of knowledge and competence

• Needs to be a recent installation completed by the installer

The MCS Product Scheme

• Scheme covers:– Solar Collectors (MCS 004)– Solar Photovoltaic Modules (MCS 005)– Micro and Small Wind Turbines (MCS 006)– Heat Pumps (MCS 007)– Biomass (MCS 008)– Heat-led Micro-cogeneration Packages

(MCS 014)– Fuel Cells and Micro Hydro are in

preparation• Scope

– Not exceeding 50kW for electricity generators

– Not exceeding 45kW for heat

The MCS Product Scheme

• Product approval is generally in two parts:

• Technical evaluation– Review of test reports– Checks on the validity & completeness– Establish build status of product(s)

• Factory production control– Quality management system– Consistency of manufacture of certificated

products– Annual surveillance– Change control

Product Testing

• Acceptance criteria for test reports described in MCS 011

• UKAS or equivalent test laboratories– Testing must be in scope of accreditation

• Unaccredited independent test laboratories or manufacturers own testing facilities:– Assessment of laboratory by certification body

• Confirmation of correct equipment, procedures & competence etc. at the time of testing

• Witness testing

Certification• Contractors and products that meet

the relevant requirements will be MCS certificated– Listing on websites e.g.

www.greenbooklive.comwww.microgenerationcertification.org

– Eligibility for FITs etc.– Use of MCS and Certification

Body marks• Differentiation

BRE Global Certification Scheme

• Scheme operating for: – Solar Thermal– Solar PV– Micro-wind– Heat pumps – Biomass – Micro-CHP– Other standards under development

• Full UKAS accreditation achieved• 410+ installers Certificated by BRE Global

– Business improvements• 500+ products approved• Further information:

www.greenbooklive.com/microgen

Current status:

Summary• MCS in place to underpin and enhance

confidence in the industry by setting minimum requirements for:– Standard of installations– Product performance

• Installer and product schemes established– Annual energy calculations– Consumer code of conduct– Minimum performance requirements

• Initial assessment followed by surveillance• A number of certification bodies now

operating MCS– Robustness of the schemes needs to be

maintained

THANK YOU

Richard PhillipsBRE GlobalBucknalls LaneGarstonWatfordWD25 9XX

01923 665183phillipsr@bre.co.ukwww.bre.co.uk

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Mark Group Project

Case Studies

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Solar Hot Water

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Outline Brief

• 10 Nursing Homes• All in need of refurbishment• High hot water & heating requirement• Concern about rising energy costs• Mixed fuel types – Gas & Electric• Vulnerable customers / priority groups• Budget constraints

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Initial Scope

Mark Group met the client to agree –

• Aims of the project• To identify key problem areas• Order of priority• Budget

– More added to scope because of LCBP potential funding

• Project risks/ Feasibility• Communication to the Residents

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy AdviceAppropriate Roof/s for Panels ?

Site Assessment

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy AdviceAccess ?

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Space in Plant Room

for Water Storage ?

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy AdviceSpace in Loft for Pumps and Pipes ?

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Safe Loft Access ?

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Solution Design

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

?

Solution Design

HeatingNeeds

Budget /Funding

HotWaterNeeds

Timescale ExistingSystems

SolarWater

Heating

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Pre-Installation

Communication with

• Council• Site Manager/s• Residents

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Installation

Installation of:

• Pumps• Cylinders• Pipework• Panels

During

After

Before

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Results – Post Install

• Funding from LCBP programme– received in accordance with the offer

• Happy users– who were involved all the way

• Happy client– fuel usage reduction of ~30%

• Further 4 installs ordered and planned– further LCBP funding offers approved

• Other properties at survey stage

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Summary

Mark Group provided client with:–

• The best technology solution to meet their needs• A full service from inception to completion• Assistance with funding application• A positive outcome

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Solar Electricity

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Outline Brief

• Modern Secondary School• High electric usage and costs• Concern about rising energy costs• Budget constraints• Educational opportunity

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Initial Scope

Mark Group met the Headmaster to agree –

• Aims of the project• To identify key risk areas• Budget

LCBP funding / Feed-in TariffPower Purchase Agreement

• Project plan• Communication to the Pupils and Staff

Appropriate Roof/s for Panels ?

Site Assessment

Access ?

Plant Room Access ?

Solution Design

?

Solution Design

ElectricalNeeds

Budget /Funding

EducationNeeds

Timescale ExistingSystems

SolarPhotovoltaic

System

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Pre-Installation

Communication with

• Headmaster• Staff• Pupils

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Installation

Installation of:

• Brackets• Framework• Panels

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Installation of:

• Inverters• Isolators• Meters

Before

During

After

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Results – Post Install

• Funding from LCBP/FIT– received in accordance with the offer

• Happy Headmaster– green electric supply of 35,000 kWh’s

• Educated pupils / staff– integrated lesson plans

• Other schools at survey / planning stages

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Summary

Mark Group provided client with:–

• The best technology solution to meet their needs• A full service from inception to completion• Assistance with funding application• A positive outcome

Home Insulation • Wind Power • Solar Energy • Heat Harvesting • Energy Advice

Thank YouQuestions and Answers

www.markgroup.co.uk