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Re-connecting people to power: new ways of thinking about energy

Current energy systems assume a one-way flow, with electricity generated at centralised power stations and sent through the wires to a passive consumer. Yet if we are to tackle climate change, we need to reconnect people to their power. We will need to turn this one-way model on its head, creating energy entrepreneurs in our communities, and asking everyone to be involved in generating and saving energy.

In April 2006, we produced a pamphlet, Grid 2.0: The Next Generation, written by Rebecca Willis and published in association with the pressure group Compass, which argues that we will only succeed in tackling climate change and increasing energy security if we take a step back and think again about the purpose of our energy system and the role of individuals within it. The pamphlet envisages a much more active role for individuals and communities – one in which the energy system is no longer remote and centralised, but embedded in our lives and homes. It argues that the government’s Energy Review must find ways to reach out and engage individuals in saving and generating power, if we are to meet energy needs and carbon goals.

Based on the pamphlet, Rebecca Willis wrote, Reconnecting people to power: A new future for energy (pdf format - 40KB), a thinkpiece for the pressure group Compass.

The pamphlet is being accompanied by a political engagement strategy, fostering debate amongst opinion formers in politics, NGOs and the energy community.

For more information contact Tracy Carty.

Acknowledgements

Green Alliance would like to thank the Ashden Trust for their support of this project.

Useful links

www.waltpatterson.org

decentralised energy

Re-connecting people to power: new ways of thinking about energy

Acknowledgements

Useful links

Think Tank of the Year, Public Affairs News Awards 2009