A virtual power plant is a network of generators of electricity that join together to operate like a single power plant. The community-based version offers a community the opportunity to provide its energy needs with small-scale, distributed low-carbon technologies with participation from individual consumers, local energy co-operatives or companies, or SMEs.
There are no new wires, or cables required, communities and citizens can generate renewable power, the virtual power plant aggregates the power, and then distributes it back to its customers.
The MPRN is an 11 digit number which can be found at the top of an electricity bill or can be gotten by a landlord or by phoning the ESBN. It is a unique number that is specific to a property. This number is required for any general enquiry and also if your are switching suppliers.
EAB means the Estimated Annual Bill. It is a way for customers to be able to compare and contrast tariffs between electricity suppliers. It is designed based on the CRU’s (Customer Regulatory Organisation of Ireland) typical annual consumption figures for electricity. This is 4,200 kWh of electricity per annum. This is used as a guideline for the customer.
(Unit Rate x CRU typical annual electricity consumption value) + (Standing Charge + Service Charge + PSO) X 365 days
* The calculations above are based on CRU approved annual consumption figures (4200 kWh’s p.a.). These figures may not reflect your actual consumption
* The prices outlined in the calculations are inclusive of VAT
* For the purposes of calculating Day/Night values we have used the assumption of (Day -50% usage) and (Night -50% usage)
This package of allowances is in regards to the costs of running your household. The package is available to everyone aged over 70 and to people under age 70 in certain circumstances.
If you change your electricity supplier, it is your responsibility to notify the Department of this change. You must provide proof of your new energy provider (utility bill in your name) from the change date.
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm) .
There are three main types of electricity meters in use as per the ESB Networks –
- Mechanical revolving disc meters
- Electronic meters
- Pay as You Go meters
What type of meter do I have?
To identify the type of meter you have, look at the descriptions below. To find out how to read your meter, select the relevant option.
Mechanical Meter
This meter is the most common type of meter in domestic dwellings. It has a revolving disc and one row of numbers. There are two different types – 24 Hr Revolving Disc Meter and Time of Day Meter.
Business customers may have a Wattless Meter installed. The Wattless meter is distinguished from Standard Meters or Day & Night Meters by the letters kVArh located near its register and is read in the same way.
24 Hour Meter or Day and Night Meter
Electronic Meter
For most commercial and some industrial premises, Non Quarter Hourly (NQH) metering is used. Many of these meters have electronic registers with one electronic meter display capable of scrolling through multiple register readings. Larger customers may also have additional current transformers. Electronic meters are also installed in some domestic premises.
Pay As You Go Meter
Your electricity supplier may arrange for a Pay as You Go meter to be installed at your premises. Each Pay as You Go meter has two elements, a customer keypad and an ESB Networks main meter.
It is important to note that even if you have a Pay as You Go meter, a meter reader will still call to read the main meter.
Watch our Video More Information
Safety Tip
Please be careful when reading your meter, especially if it is up high or in an inaccessible place.
You sure can! Whether you are a household, community, business, public or private building user, if you currently buy electricity anywhere on the island of Ireland, you can switch and buy your electricity from Community Power.
You can switch in 3 simple steps. Click here to get started.
Yes. If you are a local energy company, energy co-operative, community organisation, or citizen generating renewable electricity you can sell it to Community Power. We do this by entering into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with small to medium sized generators. Community Power is one of a small number of licenced suppliers who can provide a PPA to generators of electricity.
If you are a household or small building with microgeneration you will need to have an export meter installed to monitor the amount of electricity that you are exporting. We will be taking on micro generators in batches in the near future. If you would like to sell your micro-generation to Community Power, register your interest here, and we will contact you with the next steps. Community Power are not in a position to offer any subsidy to microgenerators as there are no national subsidies for microgeneration in Ireland, but will pay a fair price for all renewable electricity.
If you have renewable generator, approximately 50 kw or greater and you would like to sell your power to Community Power, Community Power can offer a fair Power Purchase Agreement. Or if you or your organisation is exploring ‘on site’ renewable generation, and have a requirement for a licenced supply company, we can help. Again, please register your interest here.
Almost! Community and citizen ownership of renewable energy is supported in European and Irish energy policy, unfortunately in practice however in Ireland this remains very difficult with some significant barriers in relation to connecting renewables to the grid, and market supports.
We are waiting for the terms of the forthcoming Renewable Electricity Support Scheme to be announced. We expect the Department of Communications, Cliamte Action and Environment to open a public consultation on their draft before the end of 2019. So far, all indications suggest community and citizen owned renewable electricity will be supported for the first time in Ireland through this scheme.
So, watch this space!! We paln to launch a share offer for communities/co-operatives/citizens to invest in and own a solar farms in Ireland in 2020.
If you would like to invest in, own and be part of a community owned renewable energy development, register your interest here.
If you like what we’re doing, and want to be more involved, you can take our survey.
We want to find out how much people know, or care about, where their power comes from.
DUoS stands for Distribution Use of System. A DUoS charge is a fee that ESB Networks charges Community Power for use of the Electricity Distribution System. Community Power will pass this on to you in your Electricity Bill.
The amount of DUoS that ESB Networks charges Community Power for each customer depends on which DUoS Group a customer is classified as, which can be based on several factors including the voltage a premises is connected at, the type of meter installed, or if electricity is exported.
DUoS Group Name Description
DG1 Urban Domestic Customers
DG2 Rural Domestic Customers
DG3 Unmetered Public Lighting
DG4 Other Unmetered Connections
DG5 Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Customers
DG5A Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Autoproducers (Exporters)
DG5B Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Autoproducers (Importers)
DG6 Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Customers
DG6A Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Autoproducers (Exporters)
DG6B Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Autoproducers (Importers).
The CRU has a statutory responsibility to protection energy consumers. One way the CRU discharges this responsibility is through the Electricity and Gas Suppliers’ Handbook. The Handbook acts as the ‘rulebook’ for suppliers with regard to all interactions with energy customers. The Handbook is a mix of principles and rules which all suppliers must adhere to.
The Handbook is split into a number of codes of practice for issues such as billing, disconnections, complaint handling, vulnerable customers, etc. The Handbook also contains a number of codes for non-household customers which suppliers must also comply with providing protections for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).
The CRU manages the Handbook and conducts reviews to take account of developments in the energy market. The most recent review of the Handbook was conducted in 2016/17 and was subject to a number of rounds of public consultation and engagement with industry and consumer interest groups.