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"Microgeneration is the generation of sustainable energy in, on or next to buildings. It offers a quick and cost-effective part of the solution to the energy challenges faced by the European Union."

EUSEW 2011 – Leading MEP’s say microgeneration is the future of Europe’s Energy needs

Micropower Europe’s ‘Mass Market Microgeneration Empowering European Citizens’ event was one of the many successful events of European Sustainable Energy Week 2011. Co-Hosted by Judith Merkies MEP, Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP and Charles Bradshaw-Smith the event was orchestrated to stimulate discussion on the issues facing this nascent microgeneration industry. It featured keynote speeches from a panel of industry experts and EU officials. It stimulated lively, interactive debate about the possibilities of a mass market for microgeneration and the current barriers preventing this becoming a reality.

Judith Merkies MEP commented “The EU as well as the Member States should open their eyes to the potential of citizens producing energy, literally 'power from the people.”

“Aside from energy saving, the development of a European strategy for microgeneration is a priority”

Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP commented “Microgeneration will undoubtedly be a key, expanding sector in the future, a cornerstone in questions of energy security and in the fight against climate change.”

Dave Sowden, Secretary General of Micropower Europe commented “Microgeneration puts consumers as the focal point of its products. It allows homeowners to gain control of the energy they generate, reducing their dependence on centralised energy systems and improving their individual energy reliability and security of supply.”

Charles Bradshaw Smith, President of Micropower Europe commented “Mass adoption of microgeneration must be considered now by EU policy makers as it becomes a strategic and integral part of the new smart grid. Adding microgeneration as an afterthought as citizens embrace it in their millions, would be a wasted opportunity to reduce our carbon emissions.”

All parties where in agreement about the value of microgeneration and the need for it to be part of the EU energy policy mix. It was acknowledged that these technologies are already working, efficient and available in the market. The next stage is to allow for the wider rollout of the available technologies and make them accessible to all EU homeowners.

This will strengthen the EU’s economy and infrastructure whilst increasing the competitiveness of EU products that are reaping the benefits of economies of scale. De-centralised generation carries with it infrastructure benefits far beyond the reach of large scale power plants.

Microgeneration will actually serve to balance grid supplies by enabling energy suppliers to reduce consumption or increase decentralised generation at times of peak demand and/or restricted large-scale generation.

This event was the launch platform for Micropower Europe’s policy survey call for evidence on all those involved in the sector to complete their recently launched EU Microgeneration policy survey. In conjunction with this MPE released an interim report ‘Barriers to the harmonisation of the European Microgeneration Industry’. (See notes to editors)

Notes to editors:

1. Micropower Europe is a member-funded organisation that advocates policy and regulatory initiatives that will lead to mass uptake of Microgeneration products among European citizens. http://www.microgenerationeurope.eu

2. They have campaigned for Micropower to be included in, EU fiscal incentives, the EU Energy Efficiency Action Plan, Renewable Energy Directive, Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and a reduced rate of VAT for microgeneration across the EU.

3. The EU Sustainable Energy Week is the key annual event of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign

4. The event provided a launch platform for Micropower Europe’s Interim Report, ‘Barriers to the harmonisation of the European Microgeneration Industry’ available at: http://www.micropower.co.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/Micropower%20Europe%20-%20Interim%20Report.pdf

5. Micropower Europe would like to call upon those who can to provide their support for this initiative by either completing their policy survey or by providing any other exemplar evidence that will support our call for a European Level Microgeneration strategy.

6. Please contact Alexander Fare at Alexander.fare@micropowereurope.eu if you would like to support this budding industry reach mass market potential providing the EU with a secure economic and energy future for generations to come.

EU Energy Commissioner
hails microgeneration as an
important part of the
EU’s energy future
30 June 2009

Brussels 30 June 2009: Commissioner Piebalgs announced that microgeneration will be a key part of the EU’s future energy mix at the launch of Micropower Europe in Brussels on Friday, together with Charles Bradshaw-Smith, President of Micropower Europe and Head of Innovation at E.ON.

In his speech, Commissioner Piebalgs said that microgeneration is an important part of the future energy mix, not only in terms of climate change and energy efficiency, but also for the energy security of the European Union. He recognised the importance of new ‘buildings as powerplants’, and emphasised that many existing or renovated houses in the future can also benefit from the integration of renewable energy sources or co-generation.
Speaking at the launch of the new organisation to promote microgeneration, sustainable energy for the built environment, Micropower Europe’s President Charles Bradshaw-Smith said: ‘European citizens who invest in energy efficiency and microgeneration enjoy more manageable and stable energy bills, emit few greenhouse gas emissions and consume energy in a more enlightened way – in their homes and throughout their daily lives’.
‘It is essential that the EU, Member States and companies spread the word and inform the hundreds of millions of ordinary citizens of the benefits offered by installing microgeneration technologies so that by 2020 many have it and everyone at least knows someone who has benefited. We need exemplars in every street in the European Union’ said Charles Bradshaw-Smith.
Micropower Europe is a member-funded organisation advocating policy and regulatory initiatives that will lead to mass uptake of microgeneration products among European citizens. Founding members include major European energy suppliers, global manufacturers and specialist technology companies.
The launch of Micropower Europe coincided with the world’s first exhibition dedicated to microgeneration, Citizens Generate Energy 2009. Leading manufacturers and suppliers showcased products, bringing together the general public and experts from the global sustainable energy sector during EU Green Week.