The world's first megawatt wind turbine at Tvind (Denmark) was built from 1975 onwards by hippie teachers as a protest against plans for nuclear power. Now crows find nesting space inside the rusted turbine head.
Engineer inspecting interior of wind tower at Vestas Wind Systems plant in Randers (Denmark).
Developer on the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter in Stromness (Orkney's, Scotland). The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter is a technology that uses the motion of ocean surface waves to create electricity. The machine is made up of connected sections which flex and bend as waves pass; it is this motion which is used to generate electricity.
OpenHydro OpenCentre tidal power generator. This tidal power test site at the Fall of Warness, to the west of the island of Eday (Orkney's) was chosen for its high velocity marine currents which reach almost 4m/sec (7.8 knots) at spring tides.
Digging peat in The Orkneys. Throughout Scotland the usage of peat as biofuel on an industrial scale is under debate. The Highland Park whiskey distillery at the Orkney's uses peat from its nearby plots of land for the production of its distinguished Highland Park whiskeys.
The Utopia Experiment - a survivalist community in the Scottish highlands. Believing that the collapse of civilisation was inevitable and possibly imminent, initiator Dylan Evans decided to become an off-grid crusader, a pioneer for a future without fossil fuels, technology, communications and general comfort and wrote a book about the experiment.
Shortly after starting 'Utopia', a self-sufficient community in the Scottish Highlands, Dylan Evans found that one of the community members decided to split of and start his own sub-community.
Snow fun in the desert: while a sustainable energy is the main theme of Dubai’s 2020 World Expo, tourists know Dubai is the first desert city with an indoor ski resort, Ski Dubai with 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area.
Catching the wind in The Orkneys
Dong in Denmark looks at how much the population is increasing and how much waste each produces and develops new and innovative solutions for managing waste. Much of our rubbish could be recycled, in fact up to 80% of a typical average household.
The little island of Gigha (Scotland) was in economic decline until the community invested in 3 wind towers. This little wind farm does not only supply the necessary power for the island, the power surplus is sold off and boosts the island's economy.
Oil refinery near Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Oil refinery near Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Tidal energy opportunities at the Orkneys.
Solar initiatives
Ærø is situated in the southern archipelago of Denmark, Northern Europe and has for the past 30 years worked actively to encourage the use of renewable sources. Ærø has the world's largest solar power plants, with an area of 18,365 m2. It provides a third of the community's power consumption. Ærø is endeavouring to become self-sufficient in energy, and in 2002 a figure of 40% self-sufficiency in renewable energy was reached. The initiatives have attracted high international recognition and Ærø is considered to be one of the world's leaders in the field.
Detail of the gas distribution facility of the Gasunie in Ommen, The Netherlands. Natural gas has been a big economic boost to the dutch economy.