The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was introduced in 2011 to support technologies that generate heat from renewable sources. These include biomass boilers, ground and air to water source heat pumps, solar thermal, and biogas boiler or combined heat and power (CHP) applications. Over a period of 20 years, the UK Government (via Ofgem) will pay the owners of these systems for each kWh of heat generated according to a set of published tariffs. Systems must be heat metered according to carefully prescribed standards to be eligible for such payments.
Renewable Heat Installations offer a great way to reduce carbon emissions and the incentive scheme helps to offset the cost of installing new or replacement plants. Organisations planning a renewable heat installation need to be confident that the installation and heat metering is suitable for RHI scheme approval.
The RHI scheme will close to new applications on 31 March 2021. If you are in the process of or looking to install a scheme, you will need to apply for an RHI Tariff Guarantee before the deadline in order to secure your tariff rate. In doing this, your deadline for submitting your RHI Application is extended until January 2022. Incentives will continue to be paid for installations completed and commissioned before the end of March, however subsequent installations may not receive any form of subsidy.
Our team of experts can help organisations obtain non-domestic RHI tariff payments, which, over the life of the system, can be significant.
Our non-domestic RHI service includes:
- Tariff Guarantee advice to ensure your scheme meets RHI compliance requirements.
- Full Tariff Guarantee application service to secure your tariff rate before the March 2021 deadline.
- Metering consultancy advice on installation and heat metering to minimise the chance of delays in the application process or costly re-engineering to achieve approval.
- The Independent Report on Metering Arrangements (IRMA) which is required where there are ineligible heat use/losses such as external pipework, additional fossil fuel generators and for certain larger installations.
- Heat Loss Assessment (HLA) calculations can be provided which will determine if heat losses may be disregarded or deducted, and potentially reduce the number of costly heat meters installed.
- Complete application service for your RHI approval.
- Quarterly performance and output reports required for sustainability self-reporting necessary to claim your RHI subsidy payments.
- Supporting you through the auditing process should Ofgem request to audit your application.
- Additional support when needed for the system covered throughout the duration of the scheme.
Our team of experts has extensive experience in the non-domestic RHI application process. A comprehensive application service will ensure that payments can be obtained without unnecessary delays. This takes the pressure off your technical team leaving them to concentrate on delivering the best design and installation. Typically, the service includes:
- Advice on how to get the most out of the RHI, selecting the most appropriate renewable technology and setting the best available tariff.
- Help with your Tariff Guarantee application to secure your tariff rate and the later deadline of January 2022 to submit your full RHI application
- Documentation assembly and presentation in Ofgem’s approved format.
- Heat metering technical support and advice for design and installation.
- Independent Report on Metering Arrangements (IRMA) where required.
- Guidance on remote monitoring and data acquisition systems, especially useful for applications over multiple sites.
- Uploading information onto the Ofgem RHI Register.
IRMAs are required to accompany an RHI submission on all but ‘standard’ metering installations. The report can be key to getting RHI approval and can only be carried out by an unbiased and impartial engineer who meets specific criteria. Our experienced and qualified engineers will provide all the necessary support to ensure a comprehensive report is submitted to Ofgem.
For more information, simply call us on 01908 690018 or contact us.
Our RHI specialist consultant has authored the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) Guide to Good Practice: Heat Metering. This has become the industry-recognised standard for a procedure of particular importance in the context of the RHI. The guide is available from BESA online.
TEAM have been instrumental in helping us achieve our RHI subsidy and strengthening our relationship with Ofgem. The skills and knowledge that they offer has been an incredible support to us over the years.
Phil Osborn, Sainsbury’s Head of Energy
