Regulators Remove Bureaucratic Barriers to Micro-Generation

New provincial and municipal micro-generation policies are making it easier for Albertans to generate their own electricity, cut energy costs and do it in an environmentally sustainable way.

Last February, the Alberta government issued a new regulation, which allows individual consumers more choices in managing their electricity needs through renewable or alternative sources of energy. These choices include generation from solar panels, small-scale hydro, wind, biomass, micro-cogeneration and fuel cells.

Owners of electric distribution systems are expected to provide connection services for small micro-generators by January 1, 2009. This will enable them to receive credit for excess power they generate but don't use.

To make it easier for micro-generators to be interconnected with service providers, Alberta Utilities Commission that oversees implementation of the new policy has developed Rule 024, Rules Respecting Micro-Generation.

"Rule 024 reduces the number of approval levels and streamlines the process considerably," says Robert Thomas, director of regulatory policy with the Alberta Utilities Commission.

A previously daunting, complicated system of approvals has been replaced with a one-page application, along with a user's guide to walk consumers through the process.

Since implementation of Rule 024 last summer, the commission has seen a spike in interest and applications by consumers wishing to generate their own clean, green energy. Starting next year, those who meet the criteria will be compensated for the energy they export to the grid.

The new regulation follows two years of consultation with a broad spectrum of stakeholders and supports Alberta's plan to encourage the development of renewable energy. Since 1998, Alberta's electricity generation from renewable resources has increased by more than 77 per cent. Renewable energy now accounts for 13 per cent of the province's total generating capacity, including more than 500 megawatts of wind-generated electricity.

Meanwhile, the City of Calgary is also taking steps to promote renewable energy sources, removing barriers within the municipal land use bylaw and making the installation of solar collectors on a home as straightforward as building a fence. Since October, solar collectors are exempt from the development permit process under certain conditions, such as their location, size and distance from the roof, provided the rules of the Land Use Bylaw are met. The change means those wanting to generate their own solar power are spared having to make an application for approval, saving them time and money.