Earning money from your fuel bill?

On April 6th, in the UK, the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 becomes active.

This act required the Government to review the system of permitted development with a view to sustainable energy generation in homes and reduces the red tape to implement power saving concepts like “microgeneration”, where households can produce their own power.

Householders can deploy “microgeneration” (within “sensible limits”) without the need to apply for planning permission. So devices such as wind turbines and solar panels can be installed.

British Gas (an energy company) have already bought stakes in companies who produce things like “fuel cell boilers”, and plan to offer these devices (£3000~£4000) to home owners by 2010.

While an ordinary boiler, takes power from the national grid and heats the home, a fuel cell boiler takes heat and power from the house and generates electricity.

Any excess power generated is sold back to the National Gird.

Sounds like a great way to save money on fuel, as well as being ecological. As miniturisation and efficiency increases in this field, home microgeneration should become a reality for everyone. A flower power window box anyone?

Peter