The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2011

CHAPTER 3 Eligibility criteria in relation to metering and steam measuring

Metering of plants in simple systems

16.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) the plant is generating and supplying heat solely for one or more eligible purposes within one building;

(b) no heat generated by the plant is delivered by steam; and

(c) the plant is not a CHP system.

(2) Where this regulation applies, a class 2 heat meter must be installed to measure the heat in kWhth generated by the plant.

Metering of plants in complex systems

17.—(1) This regulation applies where regulation 16(1) does not apply.

(2) Subject to regulation 19—

(a) where heat generated by the plant is delivered by liquid, class 2 heat meters must be installed to measure both the kWhth of heat generated by that plant and the kWhth of heat used for eligible purposes by the heating system of which that plant forms part; and

(b) where heat generated by the plant is delivered by steam, the following must be installed—

(i) steam measuring equipment to measure both the heat generated in the form of steam by the plant and the heat in the form of steam used for eligible purposes; and

(ii) a class 2 heat meter or steam measuring equipment to measure any condensate or steam which returns to the plant.

(3) Where this regulation applies, and more than one plant is supplying heat to the heating system supplied by the plant, steam measuring equipment or class 2 heat meters must be installed, as appropriate, to measure the heat generated in kWhth by all plants supplying heat to that heating system.

Shared meters

18.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the heat generated by the plant must be individually metered.

(2) Subject to regulation 43(8), the heat generated by two or more plants may be metered using one meter provided that—

(a) the plants use the same source of energy and technology;

(b) the plants will, once given accreditation, be eligible to receive the same tariff;

(c) the plants will then share the same tariff start date and tariff end date; and

(d) it is the Authority’s opinion that a single meter is capable of metering the heat generated by all of those plants.

Metering of CHP systems generating electricity only before 15th July 2009

19.—(1) This regulation applies where the plant is a CHP system and the requirements of regulation 12(1)(a) and (b) are deemed to be satisfied in accordance with regulation 12(2).

(2) Where this regulation applies, any existing heat meter or steam measuring equipment installed before the date of commencement of these Regulations may continue to be used by a participant to measure the heat generated by the CHP system and used for eligible purposes, provided that the CHP system was registered under the CHPQA before that date.

(3) For the purpose of this regulation, “the CHPQA” means the Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance Standard, Issue 3, January 2009, as published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change(1).

Matters relating to all heat meters and steam measuring equipment

20.—(1) All heat meters installed or used in accordance with these Regulations must, where applicable—

(a) be calibrated prior to use;

(b) be calibrated correctly for any water/ethylene glycol mixture; and

(c) be (or have been) properly installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

(2) All steam measuring equipment installed or used in accordance with these Regulations must be—

(a) calibrated prior to use;

(b) capable of displaying measured steam pressure and temperature;

(c) capable of displaying the current steam mass flow rate and the cumulative mass of steam which has passed through it since it was installed; and

(d) properly installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Additional metering requirements for plants generating heat from biogas

21.—(1) This regulation sets out additional requirements in relation to metering where a plant is generating heat from biogas.

(2) In that case—

(a) a class 2 heat meter must be installed to meter any heat directed from the plant combusting the biogas to the biogas production plant; and

(b) a class 2 heat meter must be installed to meter any heat supplied to the biogas production plant from any source other than—

(i) the plant combusting the biogas; and

(ii) where the biogas has been produced by anaerobic digestion, the feedstock from which it was produced.

(1)

A copy is available on www.chpqa.decc.gov.uk.