The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) Richard Phillips BRE Global
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
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Mark Group Project
Case Studies
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Solar Hot Water
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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
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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
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?
Solution Design
HeatingNeeds
Budget /Funding
HotWaterNeeds
Timescale ExistingSystems
SolarWater
Heating
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Pre-Installation
Communication with
• Council• Site Manager/s• Residents
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Installation
Installation of:
• Pumps• Cylinders• Pipework• Panels
During
After
Before
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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
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Installation of:
• Inverters• Isolators• Meters
Before
During
After
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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