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This paper provides an international policy review on energy efficiency retrofit in owner-occupied homes and recommendations to apply best practices to the UK.

This working paper presents a review of policy design and implementation in OECD countries for increasing uptake of energy efficiency retrofitting in medium to high-income, 'able to pay' owner-occupied households. Renovation measures to help improve energy efficiency and decarbonise homes can include loft and cavity wall insulation, heat pumps and solar PV.

The review uses a rapid evidence assessment of academic and grey literature to address the following research question: Which internationally applied, good practice policies have the most potential to accelerate quality, energy efficiency retrofits of owner-occupied, 'able to pay' households in the UK?

The review reveals that residential energy renovations in OECD countries are mostly shallow single measures, with a small portion comprising multiple measures or deeper renovations. Although some countries such as France, Germany, the UK and the US have retrofitted millions of single measures to homes, this review has not identified any countries which have delivered deep home energy retrofit at a widespread scale.

We identify various review studies on policy instruments which have been applied in different countries and are considered important for implementing residential energy renovation. Policy instruments most commonly emphasised are regulations, financial support and information provision. Most reviews also include policies to develop workforce skills and competencies, supply chains and quality assurance.

Drawing upon our review of international and UK evidence, we make a series of policy recommendations for an effective home energy retrofit policy framework in the UK, with a focus on medium to high-income owner-occupier households:

Key success factors are the design and implementation of policy instruments which are credible, stable, long-term and flexible.

Policy packages or combinations of complementary policies are more effective than applying individual policy instruments alone.

Effective policy mixes should include policies to stimulate both homeowner demand and a competent supply chain for retrofit.

The review highlights several retrofit financing mechanisms (e.g., energy efficiency mortgages, low interest loans) that can be targeted specifically at mid-to-high income owner-occupied households. Given pressures on government spending, a blended financing approach combining direct, publicly funded financial incentives with innovative measures to stimulate private financing, is likely to be required.

For England and Wales, we recommend that a national retrofit programme with financial incentives for 'able to pay' homeowners and a 'one stop shop' and advice service linked to local and regional hubs could help to support the customer retrofit journey and develop supply chains.

National, regional and local government retrofit policy should be better coordinated, including through dissemination of financing to support uptake of measures at a local level.

National policy programmes for home energy renovation should be integrated with mandatory local area planning.

Regular collaboration should be established between UK and devolved governments, to foster mutual learning and greater consistency in policy design and implementation across the UK.

An ETI Perspective - Can you base a UK transition to low carbon on solar PV?

This document is a summary for the project titled 'Band Structural Engineering of TiO2 for Efficient Solar Cells'.

This project is aimed at increasing the energy conversion efficiency of Titanium Dioxide which can be applied to cheaper materials, such as glass, plastics etc, using deposition to create solar cells. Currently the material can only convert 5% of the suns energy into electrical energy, the amount of the solar spectrum photovoltaic cells can absorb is called its band gap and TiO2 can only absorb ultraviolet irradiance. This project explored the possibility of using the process of doping to narrow TiO2's band gap thereby increasing the amount of the suns energy it can absorb to up to 50%. Doping is the process of is the process of introducing impurities into an extremely pure semiconductor (in this case TiO2) to change its electrical properties. The effectiveness of using such a technique for narrowing Titanium Dioxide's band gap was explored both through theoretical modeling and computer simulations. This doped TiO2 material was then fabricated in a laboratory as part of the project

This project has led to two applications for patents and a spin off company. Prof. Shao has also received a further £933,050 funding from the Technology Strategy Board to continue his research into low cost, highly efficient photovoltaic solar cells. As a result of the possible applications of the research two companies involved in the project, Kleentec International Plc and Crowberry Energy, are working on a related project with funding (£10,000) from Metric.

This document is a report for the project titled 'Capacity Ten-Seven'.

Project Capacity Ten-Seven sought to bring together leading UK industrial expertise in the required disciplines to "define the parameters for the design of a new solar cell process plant with a capacity about 10MWp per annum and establish the optimum substrate size, cell configuration and junction structure and include the necessary research to confirm that these key characteristics are suited to high volume low cost production."

The project objectives were addressed through six interrelated technical work. Activities each with its own sub-objective and work plans. These were:

1. Fundamental Studies
2. Front Contact Deposition
3. Semiconductor Deposition
4. Rear Contact Deposition
5. Cell Isolation
6. Initial Design Study

The project achieved its overall goal of positioning ICP Solar UK to proceed with detailed design of a Capacity Ten-Seven production facility that will meet with future expansion plans.

This document is a summary for the project titled 'Deposition Techniques for Thin Film Ternary Semiconductor Solar Cells'.

In the UK, the government has set up ambitious targets for the production of electricity from renewable sources, 10% of electricity by 2010 and 15% by 2020, and solar power is expected to make a significant contribution to this. Therefore the development of low-cost, efficient and environmentally friendly photovoltaic technologies will be of enormous benefit to society as a whole. It will also provide significant business opportunities internationally as countries strive to move towards more sustainable ways of generating electricity. The development and manufacture of solar cell modules for the production of electrical power is a growth industry with considerable wealth-creating potential for North West UK manufacturers during the next century.

This project extended previous work carried out at the University of Salford on pulsed DC magnetron sputtering (PDMS), a technique used to deposit thin films of a material onto a surface, for use on CIS solar cells. The purpose of which is to establish whether PDMS offers a realistic approach for the industrial production of CIS solar cells. The project also involves experiments to replace some of the materials used in CIS cells with more efficient or less toxic alternatives.

The Electra-Clad project sought to utilise existing steel based building cladding materials as a substrate for direct fabrication of a fully integrated solar PV panel of equivalent design to the ICP standard glass based panel. This would represent a major step forward in BiPV panel manufacture if achieved and open up the substantial BiPV cladding market for later exploitation of the technology. It was planned that this would be achieved by the further development and productionisation of the Electra Clad technology, working in partnership with cladding manufacturers to develop a facility capable of producing at least 20MWp p.a. The time scales to achieve this were expected to be less than 5 years and no more than 10 years.

The nominal 3 year programme was progressed from January 2002 to August 2005, though with a 1 year suspensions due to the liquidation in December 2002 of the Lead Contractor, Intersolar / British Photovoltaics Limited (BPL). The work has progressed under 5 interrelated Activities as follows:

Inverted Cell Deposition Development to develop the required inverted cell process on the a-Si deposition system based at Plasma Quest Limited (PQL)

Laser Patterning / Cell Isolation Development to develop laser patterning schemes that were able to meet the demands of the inverted structure

Contact and 'Barrier' Layer Materials Development to identify and deposit materials for the substrate barrier layer and cell electrical contacts that were fully compatible with the inverted a-Si process

Integration Studies to develop a monolithically integrated solar PV panel

Bussbar and Encapsulation Studies to develop the basis for the techniques that would be required to ensure that integration into new and existing buildings cold be readily achieved

The project was successful in achieving most of the Activity objectives.

This report is divided into the following sections:

1. Introduction
2. Technical Background
3. Experimental Work
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. Lessons Learned
7. Conclusions
8. Recommendations
9. Acknowledgements
10. Figures
11. Appendix
12. Annex

Summary of the results of the project:

A Laser system has been developed that will replace the need for 4 separate laser systems taking in excess of 20 minutes processing time

A 2-part connector was developed within ICP - with the female being on the Electra-slate and the male being on the wiring loom

An Effective system of mounting the Electra-Slate with out the need for drilling holes in the Electra-Slate has been developed using commercially available hooks and established that hooks were available in sizes ranging from 60mm to 160mm increasing in length in 10mm increments. The availability of these hooks thus enabling the 600 * 300mm slate definition to be installed in all of the various geographical regions and associated pitches of roof structures in that area

A path for Future Development: The outputs of the project will enable ICP to undertake post qualification production of the Electra-Slate in order to achieve a profit line within two years after the completion of the project. ICP will utilise the intervening time between submission for IEC 61646 qualification and successful results of such qualification to conduct investigative marketing and strategic planning for entry into the global market place. Plans to partner with large-scale roofing product manufactures and System integrator's will be brought into action and ICP will look to establish a mutually beneficially collaboration between these groups to support the launch of the Electra-Slare product.

This report contains and executive summary, and is divided into the following sections:

Introduction

Development of Multi Laser system

Development of Moulding Techniques for Higher Specification Connector Materials

Development of Fixing Methods

Development of Busbar and Interconnections

Pre Competitive Development Manufacturing Capability

Demonstration Roof Section

Project Conclusions

In order to offer a cost effective production Solution for a Photovoltaic (PV) Roof system cosmetically similar to standard Slate roofs, the following Objectives were highlighted as key areas:

To develop a novel 3 head laser system to reduce PV processing time

To develop a polymer/mould combination that will function as a connector suitable for mass production and to capable of meeting PV IEC61646 standard

To develop a material/process combinations for roof mounting the PV Electra-Slates (ES)

The design specification of the Electra-Slate has been finalised and prototype parts produced to prove the concept in both installation and manufacturing. The desired manufacturing costs of the product can be achieved with conversion to a large scale manufacturing set up.

This summary provides information on:

Objectives

Summary

Contractor

Cost

Duration

Background

The Work Programme

Conclusions

Potential for Future Development

Realising a sustainable hydrogen economy requires a breakthrough in the production of hydrogen. Photoelectrochemical conversion of solar energy to energy in hydrogen at viable efficiency isa long term goal needed to usher in the Hydrogen economy worldwide. The twin cell technology based Tandem Cell^TM tackles a number of challenges faced by single photoelectrochemical cell based water splitting and offers a novel way of utilising complimentary parts of the solar spectrum in two cells. The overall process results in a complete system driven by solar energy that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.

This program included 12 technical tasks:

1. Studies on spray nozzle parameters
2. Studies on spray solution parameters
3. Investigation of the mechanised doctor blading technique
4. Investigation of spray pyrolysis techniques
5. Performance of scale-0up electrodes in Tandem Cell^TM
6. Alternative photocatalytic materials
7. Alternative electrolytes
8. A desk study on substrate materials
9. A lab study on substrate materials
10. Alternative design configuration
11. Quality control procedures
12. Fabrication of Tandem Cells

The main conclusions resulting from this DTI-assisted project were:

Semiconductor metal oxide spray deposition parameters such as nozzle height and liquid flow rate were optimised in order to improve the photocurrent performance.

A number of dopants that improve the performance of photocurrent density over 50% over undoped samples were discovered by a systematic study.

A semi-automated method was developed for the production of metal oxide coated electrodes that is suitable for producing larger scale plates, up to 25 x 25 cm². The method would be suitable for further scaling to produce 5m² Tandem Cells/day.

A new annealing regime capable of producing crack-free larger scale semiconductor electrodes was introduced.

Some new photocatalytic semiconductor materials were highlighted with good potential.

An extensive study on alternative electrolytes was conducted and some new electrolyte systems were discovered.

A desk and lab study on alternative substrates was conducted.

Alternative Tandem Cell design configurations were studied.

Quality control procedures were developed for each step of the Tandem Cell production process.

An array of 12 Tandem Cells was constructed. This was set up as a demonstration unit in a UK site and produced gas.

This report is divided into the following sections:

1. Introduction
2. Experimental Work
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
6. Recommendations
7. Acknowledgements
8. Figures
9. Appendix

This project had two primary goals; the first to develop the next generation of multicrystalline silicon ingot growth system capable of producing ingots up to 90cm square and weighing up to 500kg. The second goal was to develop equipment which could be used to automate the ingot-to-block processes and to minimise the levels of manual handling required, especially for the heavier blocks of sizes 150mm and above.

The crystal growth system operated successfully during growth trials and the quality of silicon produced met photovoltaic standard requirements. The testing of the growth system was undertaken through a series of growth trials, each designed to progressively test the system's capabilities. The first trials tested the functionality of the graphite furnace, power supply and coil arrangements; only minor optimisation was required to obtain efficient coupling. Heating trials were the undertaken to prove the operation and robustness of the furnace design. The susceptors and insulation showed no damage or problems at the completion of the tests. Work was undertaken in parallel to assess the effectiveness of a pyrometer for both temperature control and monitoring but the repeatability between runs in the existing set-up was inadequate to allow it be used in production and thermocouples were retained.

The project has successfully develop the crystal growth system and block process line as set out in the initial proposal. The use of 3D CAD and finite element analysis (FEA) has been successfully implemented on this project and has greatly reduced the time and costs associated with the development of operation systems by identifying and resolving potential problems before components were put into manufacture.

This report contains and executive summary, and is divided into the following sections:

1. Introduction
2. Project Objectives
3. 90cm Multicrystalline Silicon Growth System
4. Block Process Line Equipment
5. Acknowledgements

The objectives for this project are:

To design, develop and manufacture the next generation of multicrystalline silicon growth systems to match the latest industry standard 150mm & 156mm square wafers, and to accommodate the future generation of 200mm & 210mm square wafers

To increase silicon production rates.

To improve PV (photovoltaic) silicon quality during the growth process.

To produce a higher efficiency machine through the use of the latest analytical techniques; through system design to silicon output.

To design and develop an automated process line for the key stages in the production and handling of 150mm - 210mm square blocks cut from silicon ingots.

The project has undertaken the design and development of the next generation of multicrystalline silicon ingot growth system, capable of producing ingots up to 90cm square and weighing up to 500kg. This project has also covered automation of downstream ingot processing equipment. The developed processes include block chamfering, inspection and packaging.

The project has successfully developed the larger crystal growth system and automated block process line as set out in the proposal.

This summary provides information on:

Objectives

Summary

Contractor

Cost

Duration

Background

The Work Programme

Conclusions

Potential for Future Development

Microgeneration in individual homes has been the subject of increasing policy and industry attention in recent years. Although there are only around 100,000 microgeneration installations in the UK, the Energy Saving Trust believes that microgeneration could supply 30-40% of UK electricity demand by 2050 (Energy Saving Trust, 2005b). If adopted by large numbers of households in this way, microgeneration could bring about fundamental change to our energy system. Many consumers would become energy producers, leading to a breakdown of the traditional distinction between energy supply and demand. Established regulatory frameworks and energy infrastructures could need to change radically to deal with a fundamental decentralisation of power and control.

This project investigated how microgeneration might be deployed in the UK and its possible implications for domestic consumers, energy companies and the energy system as a whole. Working closely with industry and government it identified technical, regulatory and institutional changes that might stimulate the market uptake of microgeneration technologies. The aims of the project were set out in the original proposal. The main objective of the research is: to work with industry and government to help tackle the main challenges associated with microgeneration. Its more specific aims were:

To make an original academic contribution that focuses on the effect of microgeneration on consumer-supplier relationships, on the wider energy system, and on developments in housing;

To develop a set of business models for microgeneration investments that reflect a variety of approaches to ownership and operation;

To validate these business models with data from real microgeneration installations and possible future developments in collaboration with industry and government;

To identify possible modifications in technical standards, regulatory frameworks and institutional arrangements to the uptake of microgeneration in the UK;

To work with energy and housing policy makers who are responsible for implementing these modifications.

These aims and objectives have largely been fulfilled by the project. A number of challenges affected the fulfilment of the objectives. Section 7 of the End of Award Report Form provides further details of these and their impact on the project.

This report is divided into the following sections:

1. Background
2. Objectives
3. Methods
4. Results
5. Activites
6. Outputs
7. Impacts
8. Future Research Priorities
9. References

• Appendix 1 - Schematic of main project activities and outputs
• Appendix 2 - Members of the Project Advisory Group
• Appendix 3 - List of interviewees
• Appendix 4 - Full list of project outcomes

The aim of this project was to understand how microgeneration might be deployed, and to explore policies to support investment by consumers and energy companies. The research was undertaken by an interdisciplinary team drawn from three universities: University of Sussex, University of Southampton and Imperial College. It was carried out in parallel with significant policy developments, notably the government Microgeneration Strategy, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act and the wider Energy Review.

The research found that it was important for policy makers support a diversity of routes to microgeneration deployment, with incentives for both householders and energy companies. The project analysed three different models of microgeneration deployment to explore the possibilities and implications. This included 'Plug & Play' deployment by individual consumers wishing to assert their independence from established suppliers; 'Company Driven' deployment by incumbent energy companies that shift their focus towards the delivery of energy services rather than energy supply; and 'Community Microgrid' deployment as part of decentralised microgrids.

There are significant opportunities to build microgeneration into new construction developments. The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act is important since it encourages local authorities to set targets for this. In addition, the research found that it will be desirable to include flexible service areas and space (e.g. as cellars) in new buildings so that future developments in micro-generation and home energy automation can be accommodated. If sustainable visions for larger developments such as Thames Gateway are to be realised, strong intervention is likely to be required by government. This is because such developments are substantially different from the UK's current energy system. In the absence of strong intervention, an opportunity for the implementation of more pervasive local energy systems based on Community Microgrid models linked to new district heating networks could be lost. Energy regulation has a role to play here too. The Registered Power Zone scheme developed by the regulator, Ofgem allows electricity network companies to experiment with new network concepts and recover costs from consumers. So far, the rules governing this scheme have proved to be too restrictive to rebuild capacity for innovation with the electricity network companies.

Overall, the research showed that microgeneration can make a potentially powerful contribution to a sustainable energy future - in terms of carbon reductions and wider social impacts. Microgeneration can be both a result of ongoing changes in existing energy systems and the cause of potentially radical change. Our research has also underlined the interdependence of technical, institutional and social factors that inhibit or enable the diffusion of sustainable technologies. Technically, energy networks will have to be able to cope with two-way flows. Policies, regulations and institutions will need to change and to acknowledge that the distinction between energy supply and demand is not as sharp for micro-generators. Finally, consumers could have a new position in the energy system - whether as hosts of microgeneration installed by company or as 'co-providers' of their own energy services.

Low or zero carbon energy sources are increasingly being installed in buildings, e.g. small scale and micro CHP units, photovoltaic panels and building mounted wind generators. The development of performance standards and suitable guidance on satisfactory provisions, on e.g. structural measures, weatherproofing and location is needed, also compliance with ADL and any relevant provisions of the forthcoming Electrical AD. This desk study will also take account of the Energy White Paper and the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

The overall aim of this project is to develop suitable performance standards and guidance for the installation of low or zero carbon energy sources in buildings.

It is proposed to include a specified list of low or zero carbon energy sources as alternatives to energy conservation and energy efficiency measures in order to achieve target carbon emissions for different building types. The extent to which LZC energy sources can contribute to achieving the carbon emissions target should be limited to a given level or percentage.

Since the proposal is to include LZC energy sources as an alternative to further energy conservation or energy efficiency measures there is no strict requirement to calculate the cost effectiveness of each for the purposes of regulatory impact assessment. However, an assessment of cost effectiveness has been undertaken to provide ODPM with:

An understanding of the comparative cost effectiveness of different LZC energy sources.

To determine if any of the LZC energy sources can be deemed to be cost-effective and hence considered for mandatory inclusion in Part L.

The assessment of cost effectiveness shows that few LZC technology/application cases achieve a positive NPV and hence none are recommended to be considered for mandatory inclusion.

This report is divided into the following sections:

Executive Summary

Inclusion of LZCs in the Building Regulations

LZCs to be Included

Review of Cost Effectiveness

Reasonable Provision

Renewables Ready

The objectives of this project are:

To demonstrate the technical feasibility of manufacturing a dye-sensitised solar cell (DSC) on a flexible substrate, using processes compatible with volume production.

A performance target is to achieve bench-scale single cell efficiencies of 5% at illumination levels approaching 1 Sun (AM1.5) with short term durability.

The durability of dye-sensitised solar cells is a recognised issue and needs to be compatible with end use. Cell lifetime will be one of the principal issues addressed in this project.

To make a prototype module of solar cells using pilot scale manufacturing processes that has an efficiency of at least 4% at illumination levels approaching 0.5 Sun (1.5AM).

To develop the diagnostic (i.e illumination, measurement, analytical and accelerated keeping) capabilities to meet these challenges/

This profile contains information on the project's:

Objectives

Summary

Contractor

Collaborators

Cost

Duration

This document is a summary for the project titled 'Third generation Solar Cells based on Quantum slicing by Rare earth doped Silicon nanocrystals'.

Current commercially available silicon solar cells are typically 10-20% efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. The main limitation in these materials is that they absorb nearly all the light that falls on them creating electrons, but they waste 80-90% as heat when the electrons lose excess energy on absorption. If one could convert the short wavelength (Blue) sunlight that falls on them to an equivalent amount of energy in the infrared, the electrons would lose almost no energy on absorption and the efficiency of the devices could almost double. Such a "quantum-slicing" technology has been the goal of solar cell research for many years. Recently it was reported that rare earth elements such as erbium or neodymium when incorporated into silicon oxide containing tiny clumps of silicon (nanocrystals) could be made to emit two infrared "photons" of light for each incident blue photon. This is very attractive as an industrial technology as silicon oxide can be formed on silicon solar cells by merely heating them in oxygen. However, the rare earth element used in these experiments was erbium whose emission is not suitable for harvesting with silicon. This project investigated the incorporation of a different element - neodymium in such materials. They will deposit optimised neodymium doped silicon oxide layers containing nanocrystals onto prototype silicon solar cells to demonstrate improved efficiency. Doping is the process of introducing impurities into an extremely pure semiconductor, in this case silicon rich oxide (SRO), to change its electrical properties.

The project builds on an EPSRC grant (value £192k) which funded the work that developed the original technology and is effectively a three way collaboration between the University of Manchester, the University of Surrey and McMaster University. The work carried out on this project led on to a £1.5m multicentre grant award (ESPRC) to follow up the underlying IP. An additional £200k was also awarded by ESPRC to investigate biosensing applications of the technology.

9th September 2016 - ETI’s CEO David Clarke presents “Where now for the UK energy system” at the ICheme Low Carbon Summit in London. He concludes that the most likely way forward is somewhere between the Clockwork (planned, integrated, steady progress) scenario and the Patchwork (ad hoc, fast, diverse) scenarios.