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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the benefits of generating electricity closer to the source of demand. [134128] Mr. Timms: Through the New and Renewable Energy Programme, the DTI has funded a number of assessments of the benefits of distributed generation, i.e. smaller generation, which is connected to the distribution networks. Some of the most recent include a study of the impact of distributed generation on network security by UMIST and an investigation of the benefits of "islanded" generation operation by PB Power. Both these studies were undertaken in 2002. Currently, the DTI is funding work through the Distributed Generation Coordinating Group to produce guidance on the potential contribution of distributed generation to the security of the distribution networks, to be used in the design and operation of those networks. Many of the projects relating to distributed generation initiated by the New and Renewable Energy Programme can be accessed via the DTI's website and a complete list of completed and on-going projects can be provided on request. Details of projects commissioned through the Distributed Generation Coordinating Group can be viewed on the Group's website at: distributed-generation.gov.uk

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

134128; 412 c338W;412 c346W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Electricity generation Energy supply Distribution Electricity Location

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk