Is Microgeneration the new clean revolution?
by Tal Potishman

Microgeneration is likely to be an important step towards the Millennium Goal of ensuring environmental sustainability by the year 2015. This is an ambitious, if not idealistic, target which has been well-received by most – less so as an individual burden, and more of a sub-national one. “Let the government do something about it,” is the response of many. Although many argue the benefits of this concept, there are only a few that have actually taken a proactive approach as individuals or private businesses.

Great Britain, in particular, has come under direct criticism for not doing enough to reduce its carbon footprint on our increasingly delicate atmosphere. And if governments cannot be counted on to set in motion a plan to ensure ecological sustainability, how can we, as individuals, be expected to do so?

Over the past two years, the UK has taken various steps to catch up with the rest of Europe in the race to reach the ambitious millennium target by 2015, in particular by setting up a Microgeneration Strategy. This aims to offer Zero- and Low- Carbon solutions for domestic homes, businesses, and communities, with specific targets that demand that by 2016 all new homes in the UK should be zero-carbon, whereas the same applies to non-domestic buildings by 2019. While that’s a few years later than the Millennium goals dictate, it is definitely a start as the UK is taking the first step in a new direction.

But what exactly does microgeneration do? Microgeneration involves the producing of energy through small-scale energy generators such wind turbines and solar photo voltaic electricity generating panels. It means that in the future, all buildings will be equipped with these small generators, allowing them to produce and supply their own energy, and in the process, reducing the mass impact that big energy generators have on the environment today.

What is more, microgenerators are particularly beneficial for particular types of homes, such as those with no access to a central gas network. This newly acquired self-sufficiency of future households, communities, and businesses would make them less dependent on large industrial power plants. The Guardian argues that Microgeneration might even be a rival to nuclear energy. We need to ask ourselves whether these advantages are enough to encourage people to make their own contributions to helping preserve the planet for their great-grandchildren.

Like any new method, Microgeneration does have its hurdles that need to be assessed and overtaken. For one, it is not suitable for all types of homes. It is, for example, not readily available for local shops, nor is it easy to find many who are specialized in installing these microgenerators. Affordability is also a problem for many, reaffirming the old argument that ecological sustainability is only attainable by those who can afford it.

So is microgeneration the best way forward? Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, among others, agree that it is. With the proper government support schemes in place, such as grants as well as more information regarding the pros and cons of microgeneration, more people will be ready to embrace it. It has the potential to have a massive impact on the reduction of CO2 emissions, so the more accessible microgeneration is made to the British public, the more individuals can do to reduce their ecological footprint. For now, it’s back to recycling for most of us until we can afford to produce our own energy.

Tal Potishman
http://www.articlesbase.com/bath-showers-articles/microgeneration-in-the-uk-evaluation-and-background-629387.html