Alternative energy inspires new power generation

Research by the Energy Savings Trust suggests that home generation of power is developing so fast that it could potentially provide 30%-40% of the UK’s total electricity needs by 2050. “Generating your own power makes economic and environmental sense. I think people are becoming scared about becoming too reliant on the system that we have,” says Mr Law.

But unlike in the 1970s when it was first popularised, the new drive is mainstream and has been rebranded as “hi-tech”, “intelligent” and “sustainable”. Scores of micropower companies now offer solar panels, rooftop wind turbines, heat pumps, solar thermal panels, photovoltaics, hydropower turbines, woodfuel boilers and fuel cells, while large companies such as British Gas are offering gas boilers that generate electricity.

guardian