Electricity is fundamental to modern societies. It is the backbone to nearly all other technologies and we use it daily in lighting, appliances, communications and healthcare. Currently most electricity is generated in centralised, large-scale power stations fuelled by fossil fuels, uranium (nuclear power) or through renewable or alternative energy sources such as wind or hydro-electric power. It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to secure long-term, cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel power stations to cover both current demand, and future growth. There is an urgent need for open debate and consensus on the future of electricity generation as decisions are being made now that will still need to be in place in thirty years time, when the world might look radically different from how it does now. - Description added by: David Lockie

Renewable and alternative energy sources are set to play an increasingly important role in providing the electricity, heat, cooling and fuels that society needs. There is a wide range of energy sources such as solar (both photovoltaic and solar thermal), wind, bio-fuels and biomass, hydro-electric, geothermal and heat pumps. - Description added by: David Lockie

Appliances, whether domestic, commercial or industrial, are consumers of electricity. A low carbon economy requires that these appliances be very energy efficient, both in use and when on standby. However, there are embedded carbon costs in appliances, from their manufacture and transport. These also needs to be considered when choosing an appliance. - Description added by: David Lockie

Communities consist of homes, businesses and sometimes industrial concerns, with infrastructure like health care, transport, communications, government and utilities. Many decisions about low carbon need to be considered at the community level in order to ensure that ‘joined-up thinking’ is applied to the process. Click the picture to the right to explore our interactive community environment. - Description added by: David Lockie